Electromagnetic radiation by gravitating bodies

TL;DR

This paper discusses how moving gravitating bodies produce extremely weak electromagnetic photon pairs through a quantum-mechanical process analogous to the dynamical Casimir effect, highlighting a novel quantum gravitational phenomenon.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that gravitating bodies in motion emit photon pairs via a quantum effect similar to the dynamical Casimir effect, expanding understanding of quantum phenomena in gravitational contexts.

Findings

Photon pair emission is extremely weak compared to other radiation mechanisms.

The phenomenon is an analog of the dynamical Casimir effect.

Production of photon pairs is a purely quantum-mechanical process.

Abstract

Gravitating bodies in motion, regardless of their constitution, always produce electromagnetic radiation in the form of photon pairs. This phenomenon is an analog of the radiation caused by the motion of dielectric (or magnetic) bodies. It is a member of a wide class of phenomena named dynamical Casimir effects, and it may be viewed as the squeezing of the electromagnetic vacuum. Production of photon pairs is a purely quantum-mechanical effect. Unfortunately, as we show, the emitted radiation is extremely weak as compared to radiation produced by other mechanisms.