Classical and quantum perspectives on temperature in accelerated frames

Babak Vakili

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arXiv · 2609.12222

Classical and quantum perspectives on temperature in accelerated frames

Babak Vakili

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Abstract

We study the notion of temperature in uniformly accelerated frames within a relativistic thermodynamic framework. Considering a perfect fluid at rest in a non-inertial (Rindler) frame, we derive the condition for thermal equilibrium from energy--momentum conservation. This leads to a position-dependent temperature profile consistent with the Tolman--Ehrenfest relation. We emphasize that this temperature characterizes the local thermodynamic equilibrium of the fluid in the accelerated frame and does not arise from a transformation law between different observers. The physical interpretation of the result and its relation to acceleration-induced effects are briefly discussed.

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Babak Vakili. 2026-09-10. Classical and quantum perspectives on temperature in accelerated frames. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.12222

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