Can a localised quantum system see soft photons?
High Energy Physics - Theory
2021-08-11 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Quantum Physics
Abstract
We ask whether soft photons, defined by asymptotic charges, can have consequences for the outcome of localised quantum processes. We consider a spatially localised two-state system, at rest in flat spacetime, coupled to a gauge invariant charged scalar field. We find that the system's de-excitation rate does depend on the soft charges that correspond to the radial component of the electric field dressing at the asymptotic infinity; the excitation rate, by contrast, remains zero, regardless of the soft charges. Some implications are discussed.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2108.04278,
title = {Can a localised quantum system see soft photons?},
author = {Sanved Kolekar and Jorma Louko},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2108.04278},
year = {2021}
}
Comments
27 pages