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On the quantum space–time structure of light

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2010

A. GUERREIRO
A. GUERREIRO*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Física e Astronomia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, PortugalINESC Porto, Unidade de Optoelectrónica e Sistemas Electrónicos, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal (arielguerreiro@gmail.com)
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Abstract

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We extend the quantum theory of Time Refraction for a generic spatial and temporal modulation of the optical properties of a medium, such as a dielectric or a gravitational field. The derivation of the local Bogoliubov transformations relating the global electromagnetic modes (valid over the entire span of space and time) with the local modes (valid for the vicinity of each spatial and temporal position) is presented and used in the evaluation of vacuum photon creation by the optical modulations of the medium. We use this approach to relate and review the results of different quantum effects such as the dynamical Casimir effect, space and Time Refraction, the Unruh effect and radiation from superluminal non-accelerated optical boundaries.

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