Critical Acceleration and Quantum Vacuum

TL;DR

This paper explores the physics of strong acceleration, examining classical and quantum theories, potential experiments, and the role of the quantum vacuum, highlighting gaps in understanding and suggesting directions for future research.

Contribution

It discusses the concept of strong acceleration, reviews experimental possibilities, and analyzes the quantum vacuum's role as an inertial reference frame in high-energy physics.

Findings

Radiation reaction inconsistency in electromagnetic theory

Potential experimental setups with electron-laser collisions

Quantum vacuum as an inertial reference frame

Abstract

Little is known about the physics frontier of strong acceleration; both classical and quantum physics need further development in order to be able to address this newly accessible area of physics. In this lecture we discuss what strong acceleration means and possible experiments using electron-laser collisions and, data available from ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. We review the foundations of the current understanding of charged particle dynamics in presence of critical forces and discuss the radiation reaction inconsistency in electromagnetic theory and the apparent relation with quantum physics and strong field particle production phenomena. The role of the quantum vacuum as an inertial reference frame is emphasized, as well as the absence of such a `Machian' reference frame in the conventional classical limit of quantum field theory.