Dipoles in blackbody radiation: Momentum fluctuations, decoherence, and drag force
Quantum Physics
2022-04-26 v1
Abstract
A general expression is derived for the momentum diffusion constant of a small polarizable particle in blackbody radiation, and is shown to be closely related to the long-wavelength collisional decoherence rate for such a particle in a thermal environment. We show how this diffusion constant appears in the steady-state photon emission rate of two dipoles induced by blackbody radiation. We consider in addition the Einstein--Hopf drag force on a small polarizable particle moving in a blackbody field, and derive its fully relativistic form from the Lorentz transformation of forces.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2204.11113,
title = {Dipoles in blackbody radiation: Momentum fluctuations, decoherence, and drag force},
author = {Kanu Sinha and Peter W. Milonni},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2204.11113},
year = {2022}
}