Can a particle detector cross a Cauchy horizon?
arXiv:1502.02533 · doi:10.1142/S0218271815420055
Abstract
Cauchy horizons are well known to exhibit instabilities in classical spacetime dynamics and singularities in quantum field theory. We analyse the response of an Unruh-DeWitt particle detector that falls towards a Cauchy horizon, in terms of the specifics of the horizon, the choice of the quantum state and the specifics of the detector's trajectory. As a prototype, we study in detail the case for the Reissner-Nordström black hole with a scalar field in the Hartle-Hawking state. Comparisons are made with the response of a detector that falls into a Schwarzschild-like singularity.
11 pages, 1 figure. Proceedings of the VII Black Holes Workshop. To appear in the International Journal of Modern Physics D. v2: Corrected typos. Conclusions expanded