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The Unruh effect in extended thermometers

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Zeitschrift für Physik C Particles and Fields

Abstract

The Unruh effect (heating by acceleration in vacuum) is discussed for the case of extended thermometers. An ambiguity in the temperature, corresponding to the well-known ambiguity in temperature of an extended body in thermal equilibrium in a gravitational field, is noted. The generality of the effect is related, following Sewell, to PCT symmetry. Application is made to the case of a spin-half particle in a confining and accelerating electromagnetic field.

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Author notes

  1. Richard J. Hughes

    Present address: Physics Department, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

  2. J. M. Leinaas

    Present address: Rogaland Regional College, P.O. Box 2540 Ullandhang, N-4001, Stavanger, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CERN, CH-1211, Geneva 23, Switzerland

    J. S. Bell, Richard J. Hughes & J. M. Leinaas

Authors
  1. J. S. Bell
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  2. Richard J. Hughes
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  3. J. M. Leinaas
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Bell, J.S., Hughes, R.J. & Leinaas, J.M. The Unruh effect in extended thermometers. Z. Phys. C - Particles and Fields 28, 75–80 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01550251

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01550251

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