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Zahariade, George

Publications and source records attributed to Zahariade, George.

Kink-antikink scattering in a quantum vacuum

We study kink-antikink scattering in the sine-Gordon model in the presence of interactions with an additional scalar field, ψ, that is in its quantum vacuum. In contrast to the classical scattering, now there is quantum radiation of ψ quanta and the kink-antikink may form bound states that resemble breathers of the sine-Gordon model. We quantify the rate of radiation and map the parameters for which bound states are formed. Even these bound states radiate and decay, and eventually there is a transition into long-lived oscillons.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The noise of gravitons

We show that when the gravitational field is treated quantum-mechanically, it induces fluctuations — noise — in the lengths of the arms of gravitational wave detectors. Here, the characteristics of the noise depend on the quantum state of the gravitational field and can be calculated exactly in several interesting cases. For coherent states, the noise is very small, but it can be greatly enhanced in thermal and (especially) squeezed states. Detection of this fundamental noise would constitute direct evidence for the quantization of gravity and the existence of gravitons.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗