Classical and quantum reconciliation of electromagnetic radiation: vector Unruh modes and zero-Rindler-energy photons

TL;DR

This paper explores the deep connection between acceleration, radiation, and the Unruh effect, specifically how quantum Unruh phenomena relate to classical electromagnetic radiation and the role of zero-energy modes.

Contribution

It generalizes previous scalar field analysis to Maxwell electrodynamics, clarifying the quantum-classical relationship and the significance of zero-Rindler-energy modes.

Findings

Unified classical and quantum description of electromagnetic radiation under acceleration

Clarified the role of zero-Rindler-energy modes in the Unruh effect

Extended scalar Unruh effect analysis to realistic electromagnetic case

Abstract

A great deal of evidence has been mounting over the years showing a deep connection between acceleration, radiation, and the Unruh effect. Indeed, the fact that the Unruh effect can be codified in the Larmor radiation emitted by the charge was used to propose an experiment to experimentally confirm the existence of the Unruh thermal bath. However, such connection has two puzzling issues: (1) how the quantum Unruh effect can be codified in the classical Larmor radiation and (2) the fundamental role played by zero-Rindler-energy modes of the Unruh thermal bath in such a context. Here we generalize a recent analysis made for the scalar case to the more realistic case of Maxwell electrodynamics and settle these two puzzling issues.