Quantum fluctuations of radiation pressure

Quantum fluctuations of electromagnetic radiation pressure are discussed. We use an approach based on the quantum stress tensor to calculate the fluctuations in velocity and position of a mirror subjected to electromagnetic radiation. Our approach reveals that radiation pressure fluctuations are due to a cross term between vacuum and state dependent terms in a stress tensor operator product. Thus observation of these fluctuations would entail experimental confirmation of this cross term. We first analyze the pressure fluctuations on a single, perfectly reflecting mirror, and then study the case of an interferometer. This involves a study of the effects of multiple bounces in one arm, as well as the correlations of the pressure fluctuations between arms of the interferometer. In all cases, our results are consistent with those previously obtained by Caves using different mehods.

Note:

23 pages, 3 figures, RevTex

radiation: pressure
quantum mechanics: fluctuation
tensor: energy-momentum
boundary condition: mirror
counters and detectors: interference
beam: laser
background

References(10)

Figures(3)

Quantum-Mechanical Radiation-Pressure Fluctuations in an Interferometer

Carlton Caves
(
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)

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Quantum Mechanical Noise in an Interferometer

C.M. Caves
(
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)

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Fluctuations of the Hawking flux

C.H. Wu
(
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)
,
L.H. Ford
(
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)

- Phys.Rev.D 60 (1999) 104013
•
e-Print:
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•
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L.H. Ford
(
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)

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Graviton Emission by a Thermal Bath of Photons

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•
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Daniel Z. Freedman
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(
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Jose I. Latorre
(
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