Localized non-relativistic quantum systems in curved spacetimes: a general characterization of particle detector models

TL;DR

This paper develops a framework for describing localized non-relativistic quantum systems along timelike trajectories in curved spacetimes, enabling a consistent mapping of quantum theories and analysis of particle detector models in curved backgrounds.

Contribution

It introduces a coordinate-based formalism for non-relativistic quantum systems in curved spacetimes, generalizing particle detector models and assessing their validity in curved backgrounds.

Findings

Provides a consistent method to describe quantum systems in curved spacetimes.

Defines a general class of particle detector models applicable in curved backgrounds.

Characterizes the regimes where detector models accurately probe quantum fields.

Abstract

In this manuscript we provide a consistent way of describing a localized non-relativistic quantum system undergoing a timelike trajectory in a background curved spacetime. Namely, using Fermi normal coordinates, we identify an inner product and canonically conjugate position and momentum operators defined in the rest space of the trajectory for each value of its proper time. This framework then naturally provides a recipe for mapping a quantum theory defined in a non-relativistic background to a theory around a timelike trajectory in curved spacetimes. This is done by reinterpreting the position and momentum operators and by introducing a local redshift factor to the Hamiltonian, which gives rise to new dynamics due to the curvature of spacetime and the acceleration of the trajectory. We then apply our formalism to particle detector models, that is, to the case where the non-relativistic quantum system is coupled to a quantum field in a curved background. This allows one to write a general definition for particle detector models which is able to recover the previous models in the literature. Our framework also allows one to estimate the regime of validity of these models, characterizing the situations where particle detectors can be used to accurately probe quantum fields.