Quantum thermometry for spacetime curvature
Dr James Quach was recently interviewed by Cosmos magazine regarding an exciting new way of detecting the perceived change in temperature of a uniformly accelerating observer via the accumulation of a non-trivial geometric phase. This change in temperature, predicted only from the marriage of quantum theory with Einstein’s general relativity, is a result known as the Unruh effect. Historically, the Unruh effect has been particularly difficult to detect since the change in temperature by a single degree, is associated with an observer accelerating at 1020 m s-2! Dr Quach’s new approach circumvents this limitation and puts the detection of the Unruh effect on experimentally accessible grounds. In fact, we are currently searching for new team members to assist in the experimental detection of this effect (check here for the listing).
Figure 1: Accumulation of a geometric phase in the uniformly accelerating detector after a single quasicycle
Figure 2: Measurable change in the detector ground state population after multiple quasicycles.