Causality problems for Fermi's two-atom system

Journal Article · Mon Jan 31 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Physical Review Letters; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.596· OSTI ID:5214020

Hegerfeldt, G C ^[1]

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1. Institut fuer Theoretische Physik, University of Goettingen, D37073 Goettingen (Germany)

Let [ital A] and [ital B] be two atoms or, more generally, a source'' and a detector'' separated by some distance [ital R]. At [ital t]=0[ital A] is in an excited state, [ital B] in its ground state, and no photons are present. A theorem is proved that in contrast to Einstein causality and finite signal velocity the excitation probability of [ital B] is nonzero immediately after [ital t]=0. Implications are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5214020
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (United States) Vol. 72:5; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661100* -- Classical & Quantum Mechanics-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATOMS
CAUSALITY
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
FERMI STATISTICS
GROUND STATES
LOCALITY