arXiv subjects

Francisco D. Mazzitelli

Publications and source records attributed to Francisco D. Mazzitelli.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Quantum dissipative effects in moving imperfect mirrors: sidewise and normal motions

We extend our previous work on the functional approach to the dynamical Casimir effect, to compute dissipative effects due to the relative motion of two flat, parallel, imperfect mirrors in vacuum. The interaction between the internal degrees of freedom of the mirrors and the vacuum field is modeled with a nonlocal term in the vacuum field action. We consider two different situations: either the motion is `normal', i.e., the mirrors advance or recede changing the distance $a(t)$ between them; or it is `parallel', namely, $a$ remains constant, but there is a relative sliding motion of the mirrors' planes. For the latter, we show explicitly that there is a non-vanishing frictional force, even for a constant shifting speed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

Counterterms in semiclassical Horava-Lifshitz gravity

We analyze the semiclassical Hořava-Lifshitz gravity for quantum scalar fields in 3+1 dimensions. The renormalizability of the theory requires that the action of the scalar field contains terms with six spatial derivatives of the field, i.e. in the UV, the classical action of the scalar field should preserve the anisotropic scaling symmetry ($t \to L^{2z}t,$ $\vec{x} \to L^2 \vec{x}$, with $z=3$) of the gravitational action. We discuss the renormalization procedure based on adiabatic subtraction and dimensional regularization in the weak field approximation. We verify that the divergent terms in the adiabatic expansion of the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor of the scalar field contain up to six spatial derivatives, but do not contain more than two time derivatives. We compute explicitly the counterterms needed for the renormalization of the theory up to second adiabatic order and evaluate the associated $β$ functions in the minimal subtraction scheme.

hep-th↗

arXiv2009

On the renormalization procedure for quantum fields with modified dispersion relation in curved spacetimes

We review our recent results on the renormalization procedure for a free quantum scalar field with modified dispersion relations in curved spacetimes. For dispersion relations containing up to $2s$ powers of the spatial momentum, the subtraction necessary to renormalize $<ϕ^2>$ and $ $ depends on $s$. We first describe our previous analysis for spatially flat Friedman-Robertson-Walker and Bianchi type I metrics. Then we present a new power counting analysis for general background metrics in the weak field approximation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2009

Long range Casimir force induced by transverse electromagnetic modes

We consider the interaction of two perfectly conducting plates of arbitrary shape that are inside a non-simply connected cylinder with transverse section of the same shape. We show that the existence of transverse electromagnetic (TEM) modes produces a Casimir force that decays only as $1/a^2$, where $a$ is the distance between plates. The TEM force does not depend on the area of the plates and dominates at large distances over the force produced by the transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes, providing in this way a physical realization of the 1+1 dimensional Casimir effect. For the particular case of a coaxial circular cylindrical cavity, we compute the TE, TM and TEM contributions to the force, and find the critical distance for which the TEM modes dominate.

hep-th↗

arXiv2008

On the accuracy of the PFA: analogies between Casimir and electrostatic forces

We present an overview of the validity of the Proximity Force Approximation (PFA) in the calculation of Casimir forces between perfect conductors for different geometries, with particular emphasis for the configuration of a cylinder in front of a plane. In all cases we compare the exact numerical results with those of PFA, and with asymptotic expansions that include the next to leading order corrections. We also discuss the similarities and differences between the results for Casimir and electrostatic forces.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Decoherence induced by Smith-Purcell radiation

The interaction between charged particles and the vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field induces decoherence, and therefore affects the contrast of fringes in an interference experiment. In this article we show that if a double slit experiment is performed near a conducting grating, the fringe visibility is reduced. We find that the reduction of contrast is proportional to the number of grooves in the conducting surface, and that for realistic values of the parameters it could be large enough to be observed. The effect can be understood in terms of the Smith-Purcell radiation produced by the surface currents induced in the conductor.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

New counterterms induced by trans-Planckian physics in semiclassical gravity

We consider free and self-interacting quantum scalar fields satisfying modified dispersion relations in the framework of Einstein-Aether theory. Using adiabatic regularization, we study the renormalization of the equation for the mean value of the field in the self-interacting case, and the renormalization of the semiclassical Einstein-Aether equations for free fields. In both cases we consider Bianchi type I background spacetimes. Contrary to what happens for {\it free} fields in {\it flat} Robertson-Walker spacetimes, the self-interaction and/or the anisotropy produce non-purely geometric terms in the adiabatic expansion, i.e terms that involve both the metric $g_{μν}$ and the aether field $u_μ$. We argue that, in a general spacetime, the renormalization of the theory would involve new counterterms constructed with $g_{μν}$ and $u_μ$, generating a fine-tuning problem for the Einstein-Aether theory.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Backreaction in trans-Planckian cosmology: renormalization, trace anomaly and selfconsistent solutions

We analyze the semiclassical Einstein equations for quantum scalar fields satisfying modified dispersion relations. We first discuss in detail the renormalization procedure based on adiabatic subtraction and dimensional regularization. We show that, contrary to what expected from power counting arguments, in 3+1 dimensions the subtraction involves up to the fourth adiabatic order even for dispersion relations containing higher powers of the momentum. Then we analyze the dependence of the trace of the renormalized energy momentum tensor with the scale of new physics, and we recover the usual trace anomaly in the appropriate limit. We also find selfconsistent de Sitter solutions for dispersion relations that contain up to the fourth power of the momentum. Using this particular example, we also discuss the possibility that the modified dispersion relation can be mimicked at lower energies by an effective initial state in a theory with the usual dispersion relation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2005

Towards a precision measurement of the Casimir force in a cylinder-plane geometry

We report on a proposal aimed at measuring the Casimir force in a cylinder-plane configuration. The Casimir force is evaluated including corrections due to finite parallelism, conductivity, and temperature. The range of validity of the proximity force approximation is also discussed. An apparatus to test the feasibility of a precision measurement in this configuration has been developed, and we describe both a procedure to control the parallelism and the results of the electrostatic calibration. Finally, we discuss the possibility of measuring the thermal contribution to the Casimir force and deviations from the proximity force approximation, both of which are expected at relatively large distances.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Decoherence induced by a fluctuating Aharonov-Casher phase

Dipoles interference is studied when atomic systems are coupled to classical electromagnetic fields. The interaction between the dipoles and the classical fields induces a time-varying Aharonov-Casher phase. Averaging over the phase generates a suppression of fringe visibility in the interference pattern. We show that, for suitable experimental conditions, the loss of contrast for dipoles can be observable and almost as large as the corresponding one for coherent electrons. We analyze different trajectories in order to show the dependence of the decoherence factor with the velocity of the particles.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Hertz potentials approach to the dynamical Casimir effect in cylindrical cavities of arbitrary section

We study the creation of photons in resonant cylindrical cavities with time dependent length. The physical degrees of freedom of the electromagnetic field are described using Hertz potentials. We describe the general formalism for cavities with arbitrary section. Then we compute explicitly the number of TE and TM motion-induced photons for cylindrical cavities with rectangular and circular sections. We also discuss the creation of TEM photons in non-simply connected cylindrical cavities.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Vacuum polarization around stars: nonlocal approximation

We compute the vacuum polarization associated with quantum massless fields around stars with spherical symmetry. The nonlocal contribution to the vacuum polarization is dominant in the weak field limit, and induces quantum corrections to the exterior metric that depend on the inner structure of the star. It also violates the null energy conditions. We argue that similar results also hold in the low energy limit of quantum gravity. Previous calculations of the vacuum polarization in spherically symmetric spacetimes, based on local approximations, are not adequate for newtonian stars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2004

Model for resonant photon creation in a cavity with time dependent conductivity

In an electromagnetic cavity, photons can be created from the vacuum state by changing the cavity's properties with time. Using a simple model based on a massless scalar field, we analyze resonant photon creation induced by the time-dependent conductivity of a thin semiconductor film contained in the cavity. This time dependence may be achieved by irradiating periodically the film with short laser pulses. This setup offers several experimental advantages over the case of moving mirrors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Casimir interaction between cylinders

We compute the Casimir interaction energy between two perfectly conducting, concentric cylinders, using the mode-by-mode summation technique. Then we compare it with the approximate results obtained using the proximity theorem and a semiclassical approximation based on classical periodic orbits. We show that the proximity theorem with a particular choice for the effective area coincides with the semiclassical approximation and reproduces the exact result far beyond its expected range of validity. We also compute the force between slightly eccentric cylinders and discuss the advantages of using a cylindrical geometry to measure the Casimir force.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Casimir force between eccentric cylinders

We consider the Casimir interaction between a cylinder and a hollow cylinder, both conducting, with parallel axis and slightly different radii. The Casimir force, which vanishes in the coaxial situation, is evaluated for both small and large eccentricities using the proximity approximation. The cylindrical configuration offers various experimental advantages with respect to the parallel planes or the plane-sphere geometries, leading to favourable conditions for the search of extra-gravitational forces in the micrometer range and for the observation of finite temperature corrections.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Decoherence and recoherence from vacuum fluctuations near a conducting plate

The interaction between particles and the electromagnetic field induces decoherence generating a small suppression of fringes in an interference experiment. We show that if a double slit--like experiment is performed in the vicinity of a conducting plane, the fringe visibility depends on the position (and orientation) of the experiment relative to the conductor's plane. This phenomenon is due to the change in the structure of vacuum induced by the conductor and is closely related to the Casimir effect. We estimate the fringe visibility both for charged and for neutral particles with a permanent dipole moment. The presence of the conductor may tend to increase decoherence in some cases and to reduce it in others. A simple explanation for this peculiar behavior is presented.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Casimir interaction between two concentric cylinders: exact versus semiclassical results

The Casimir interaction between two perfectly conducting, infinite, concentric cylinders is computed using a semiclassical approximation that takes into account families of classical periodic orbits that reflect off both cylinders. It is then compared with the exact result obtained by the mode-by-mode summation technique. We analyze the validity of the semiclassical approximation and show that it improves the results obtained through the proximity theorem.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Quantum electromagnetic field in a three dimensional oscillating cavity

We compute the photon creation inside a perfectly conducting, three dimensional oscillating cavity, taking the polarization of the electromagnetic field into account. As the boundary conditions for this field are both of Dirichlet and (generalized) Neumann type, we analyze as a preliminary step the dynamical Casimir effect for a scalar field satisfying generalized Neumann boundary conditions. We show that particle production is enhanced with respect to the case of Dirichlet boundary conditions. Then we consider the transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations of the electromagnetic field. For resonant frequencies, the total number of photons grows exponentially in time for both polarizations, the rate being greater for transverse magnetic modes.

quant-ph↗