Static interactions and stability of matter in Rindler space

TL;DR

This paper investigates how uniform acceleration in Rindler space affects quantum field interactions, revealing scale-invariant, complex static energies and discussing implications for matter stability near horizons.

Contribution

It introduces the analysis of static interaction energies in Rindler space, highlighting their complex, scale-invariant nature and linking zero modes to radiation and matter instability.

Findings

Interaction energies are scale invariant and complex.

Zero modes cause the imaginary part of energies.

Hydrogen atoms become unstable near the horizon.

Abstract

Dynamical issues associated with quantum fields in Rindler space are addressed in a study of the interaction between two sources at rest generated by the exchange of scalar particles, photons and gravitons. These static interaction energies in Rindler space are shown to be scale invariant, complex quantities. The imaginary part will be seen to have its quantum mechanical origin in the presence of an infinity of zero modes in uniformly accelerated frames which in turn are related to the radiation observed in inertial frames. The impact of a uniform acceleration on the stability of matter and the properties of particles is discussed and estimates are presented of the instability of hydrogen atoms when approaching the horizon.