Quantum information in curved spacetime

(NTMF095, summer term 2023/24)

Lecturer: David Kubiznak (david.kubiznak@matfyz.cuni.cz)

Institute of Theoretical Physics, MFF UK

Dotation: 2/0, oral exam

Description

In this course we shall study some fascinating phenomena that arise when the fields of general relativity, quantum field theory, and quantum information are put together. In particular, we shall discuss how to locally measure quantum fields in curved spacetime by using particle Unruh-de Witt (UdW) detectors, and show how such detectors can be used to uncover global spacetime features. We shall also review the Unruh effect, study entanglement harvesting, discuss quantum energy teleportation, and more. For PhD and Mgr. students – basic knowledge of general relativity and quantum theory is required.

Preliminary topics

· Measuring quantum fields: UDW detectors

· Unruh effect: Gibbs, KMS condition, detailed balance

· Analogue spacetimes

· Quantum detection of spacetime features

· Entanglement harvesting

· Quantum collect calling

· Quantum energy teleportation

Additional reading

· Study text (will be updated as the course progresses)

· ArXiv papers.

Lectures

· Lecture 1: Unruh de Witt (UdW) detector

· Lecture 2: Unruh effect part 1: standard derivation

· Lecture 3: Unruh effect part 2: KMS condition, detailed balance, thermalization of UdW detector

· Lecture 4: Unruh effect part 3: circular trajectory, Hawking effect

· Lecture 5: First look at analogue spacetimes