Dynamical collapse for photons

TL;DR

This paper proposes a relativistic energy density operator modification to the CSL theory, analyzing its effects on photon behavior, energy increase, and cosmic blackbody spectrum, with potential experimental implications.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic energy density operator version of CSL and explores its consequences for photon dynamics and cosmological spectra.

Findings

Mean energy increase of free particles matches non-relativistic results

Photon number loss rate from laser pulses is calculated

Alterations to the cosmic blackbody spectrum are analyzed

Abstract

I suggest a simple alteration of my CSL (Continuous Spontaneous Localization) theory, replacing the mass density collapse-generating operators by relativistic energy density operators. Some consequences of the density matrix evolution equation are explored. First, the expression for the mean energy increase of free particles is calculated (which, in the non-relativistic limit, agrees with the usual result). Then, the density matrix evolution is applied to photons. The mean rate of loss of photon number from a laser beam pulse, the momentum distribution of the photons "excited" out of the laser beam pulse, and the alteration of the cosmic blackbody spectrum are all treated to first order in the collapse rate parameter $\lambda$. Associated possible experimental limits on $\lambda$ are discussed.