Decay of accelerated protons and the existence of the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the decay rate of uniformly accelerated protons in quantum field theory confirms the necessity of the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect for theoretical consistency.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis showing the decay of accelerated protons aligns with predictions only when the Unruh effect is included, affirming its fundamental role in quantum field theory.

Findings

Decay rates match in inertial and accelerated frames only with Unruh effect

Supports the Unruh effect as essential for quantum field theory consistency

Validates the Unruh effect within standard quantum field theory in flat spacetime

Abstract

We investigate the weak decay of uniformly {\em accelerated protons} in the context of {\em standard} Quantum Field Theory. Because the mean {\em proper} lifetime of a particle is a scalar, the same value for this observable must be obtained in the inertial and coaccelerated frames. We are only able to achieve this equality by considering the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect. This reflects the fact that the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect is mandatory for the consistency of Quantum Field Theory. There is no question about its existence provided one accepts the validity of standard Quantum Field Theory in flat spacetime.