Quantum Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation from a small neutral particle moving parallel to a transparent dielectric plate

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation and quantum friction for a small neutral particle moving near a dielectric plate, analyzing energy transfer, particle heating, and the effects of relativistic speeds.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of QVC radiation and quantum friction, including frame-dependent effects and the potential for experimental detection.

Findings

Radiation occurs above a threshold velocity v_c=c/n

Significant difference between forces and radiation power near light speed

QVC radiation intensity can be comparable to classical radiation

Abstract

We study the quantum Vavilov-Cherenkov (QVC) radiation and quantum friction occurring during motion of a small neutral particle parallel to a transparent dielectric plate with the refractive index $n$. This phenomenon occurs above the threshold velocity $v_c=c/n$. The particle acceleration and rate of heating are determined by the friction force and heating power in the rest reference frame of the particle. We calculate these quantities starting from the expressions for the friction force and the radiative energy transfer in the plate-plate configuration, assuming plate at the rest in the \textit{lab} frame rarefied. Close to the light velocity there is a big difference between the friction force and the radiation power in the rest frame of a particle and in the \textit{lab} reference frame. This difference is connected with the change of the rest mass of the particle due to absorption of radiation. Close to the threshold velocity the decrease of the kinetic energy of the particle is determined mainly by radiation power in in the \textit{lab} frame. However, close to the light velocity it is determined also by the heating power for the particle. We establish the connections between the quantities in the different reference frames. For a nanoparticle the QVC radiation intensity can be comparable to classical one. We discuss the possibility to detect QVC radiation.