Gravitational effects on a dissipative two-level atom in the weak-field regime

TL;DR

This paper explores how a weak gravitational field influences the dissipative behavior of a two-level atom, revealing modifications to spontaneous emission rates due to gravity, with implications for open quantum systems.

Contribution

It derives a quantum master equation for a two-level atom in a weak gravitational field, highlighting how gravity alters spontaneous emission rates and identifying regimes of enhancement or suppression.

Findings

Gravitational field modifies spontaneous emission rate.

Modification depends on atom's dipole, position, and radiation frequency.

Gravity can enhance or suppress atomic dissipation.

Abstract

We investigate the dissipative dynamics of a two-level atom in a weak gravitational field. Using the Feynman--Vernon influence functional formalism, we derive a quantum master equation describing the two-level atom interacting with a scalar field in a Newtonian gravitational field, and compute the energy dissipation rate of the atom. We find that the spontaneous emission rate (the dissipation rate in vacuum) is modified by the gravitational field. Specifically, this modification depends on the atom's dipole, the position of the atom relative to the source of the gravitational field, and the frequency of the scalar radiation emitted by the atom. Furthermore, we identify the parameter regimes in which the spontaneous emission rate is enhanced or suppressed by gravity. We also discuss how the modification arises from time dilation and dipole radiation in a weak gravitational field. These findings provide a theoretical basis for exploring gravitational effects in open quantum systems.