Quantum radiation from a classical point source

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum state of photons emitted by a classical charged particle undergoing acceleration, analyzing conditions for the resulting photon field to be represented within Fock space.

Contribution

It provides a rigorous analysis of the quantum photon state resulting from classical particle acceleration using Coulomb gauge and C* algebra methods.

Findings

Conditions for the photon state to be in Fock space

Characterization of the quantum radiation emitted during acceleration

Application of C* algebra framework to quantum radiation analysis

Abstract

We study the radiation of photons from a classical charged particle. We particularly consider a situation where the particle has a constant velocity in the distant past, then is accelerated, and then has a constant velocity in the distant future. Starting with no photons in the distant past we seek to characterize the quantum state of the photon field in the distant future. Working in the Coulomb gauge and in a C* algebra formulation, we give sharp conditions on whether this state is or is not in Fock space.