Quantum optics of an oscillator falling into a black hole

We present a quantum optics treatment of the near horizon behaviour of a quantum oscillator freely-falling into a pre-existing Schwarzschild black hole. We use Painleve-Gullstrand coordinates to define a global vacuum state. In contrast to an accelerated oscillator in the Minkowski vacuum, where there is no radiation beyond an initial transient, we find that the oscillator radiates positive energy to infinity and negative energy into the black hole as it attempts to come into equilibrium with the ambient vacuum. We discuss the relationship of the model to Hawking radiation.

Automated summary

In this study, a quantum optics treatment was used to analyze the behavior of a quantum oscillator freely falling into a pre-existing Schwarzschild black hole, where it was found that the oscillator radiates positive energy to infinity and negative energy into the black hole as it attempts to reach equilibrium with the ambient vacuum. The model's relationship to Hawking radiation is discussed.