Relativistic Unruh-DeWitt detectors with quantized center of mass

Abstract: I examine the implications of particle localisation in the Unruh-DeWitt model, which provides a simple model of a two-level system (aka 'particle detector') coupled to a scalar quantum field. By comparing the first- and second-quantised formulations of a detector with a quantised centre of mass, one is naturally led to two distinct notions of localisation. I consider the consequences of these two localisation schemes in the context of spontaneous emission, finding that the two localisations lead to distinguishable physical consequences, which can in principle be tested by future experiments.

general relativity and quantum cosmologyquantum physics

Audience: advanced learners

( paper )

Comments: Talk not recorded

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Tricontinental Quantum Fundamentals Seminar

Series comments: The Tricontinental Quantum Fundamentals Seminar (3C-QFS) is an online seminar series connecting researchers from Australia, Europe, and America. Our goal is to facilitate discussion between the three continents and bring together those working on foundational topics in relativistic quantum physics, covering but not limited to:

• Measurement, localisation, and causality in relativistic quantum theory
• Energy conditions and quantum inequalities
• Non-locality and observer-dependence of entanglement
• Quantum reference frames and symmetries in quantum theory
• Holography, AdS/CFT, and analogue gravity

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