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A quantum theory of gravity implies a fine-grained structure of spacetime, which can be conveniently modeled as some form of pixelation at the Planck scale, with potentially observable consequences. In this work, we build upon previous results to investigate the effect of pixelation on the quantum vacuum, making use of the framework of Doubly Special Relativity (DSR). At the center of the DSR approach is an observer dependent length scale, defining the pixelation of spacetime. A key feature of quantum field theory in DSR is the dispersive nature of the vacuum state and the associated appearance of curvature in momentum space. As a result, the standard treatment of the renormalized stress-energy-momentum tensor acquires correction terms. As an illustration, we present here a calculation of the thermal vacuum and modified Casimir effect, using both modified propagators and momentum measures. We choose a consistent choice of momentum space metric that both generates the modified dispersion relations we use and preserves the Lorentz invariant character of the results obtained. Put together this constitutes a consistent calculation framework we can apply to other more complex scenarios., Comment: Accepted in Physical Review D, pending final version

Classical electromagnetic radiation from moving point charges is foundational, but the thermal dynamics responsible for classical acceleration temperature are poorly understood. We investigate the thermal properties of classical electromagnetic radiation in the context of the correspondence between accelerated electrons and moving mirrors, focusing on three trajectories with asymptotically infinite (Davies-Fulling), asymptotically zero (Walker-Davies), and eternally uniform acceleration. The latter two are argued not to be thermal, while the former is found to emit thermal photons with a temperature that depends on the electron's speed. Thermal radiation from the mirror reveals a zero-jerk condition., Comment: 8 pages + appendices, 3 figures

There is increasing interest in discrete or "pixelated" spacetime models as a foundation for a satisfactory theory of quantum gravity. If spacetime possesses a cellular structure, there should be observable consequences: for example, the vacuum becomes a dispersive medium. Of obvious interest are the implications for the thermodynamic properties of quantum black holes. As a first step to investigating that topic, we present here a calculation of the response of a uniformly accelerating particle detector in the (modified) quantum vacuum of a background pixelated spacetime, which is well known to mimic some features of the Hawking effect. To investigate the detector response we use the standard DeWitt treatment, with a two-point function modified to incorporate the dispersion. We use dispersion relations taken from the so-called doubly special relativity (DSR) and Ho\v{r}ava-Lifshitz gravity. We find that the correction terms retain the Planckian nature of particle detection, but only for propagation faster than the speed of light, a possibility that arises in this treatment because the dispersion relations violate Lorentz invariance. A fully Lorentz-invariant theory requires additional features; however, we believe the thermal response will be preserved in the more elaborate treatment., Comment: Acceptted paper in Physical Review D, DOI to come

We present an exactly soluble electron trajectory that permits an analysis of the soft (deep infrared) radiation emitted, the existence of which has been experimentally observed during beta decay via lowest order inner bremsstrahlung. Our treatment also predicts the time evolution and temperature of the emission, and possibly the spectrum, by analogy with the closely related phenomenon of the dynamic Casimir effect., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

We investigate a quantum vacuum state for $1 + 1$ dimensional de Sitter space, corresponding to a region within a perfectly reflecting symmetric box of fixed physical size. We find that a particle detector inside the box registers zero response, implying that the walls of the box screen out the thermal effects of the de Sitter horizon. The box thus creates a `quiescent oasis' with a temperature below the de Sitter horizon temperature, an unexpected feature that opens the way to an analysis of heat and entropy exchange between the box and the horizon in the context of the generalized second law of thermodynamics. We also calculate the stress-energy-momentum tensor of the region within the box, showing that the total energy in the box is less than the same volume of de Sitter space in the presence of thermal fluctuations., Comment: 9 pages

The Szil\'ard engine is a mechanism (akin to Maxwell's demon) for converting information into energy, which seemingly violates the second law of thermodynamics. Originally a classical thought experiment, it was extended to a quantized treatment by Zurek. Here, we examine a new, elegant model of a quantum Szil\'ard engine by replacing the traditional rigid box with a harmonic potential, extending the scope of the model. Remarkably, almost all calculations are exact. This article is suitable to students, researchers and educators interested in the conceptual links between information, entropy, and quantum measurement., Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures

On May $28^{th}$ and $29^{th}$, a two day workshop was held virtually, facilitated by the Beyond Center at ASU and Moogsoft Inc. The aim was to bring together leading scientists with an interest in Network Science and Epidemiology to attempt to inform public policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Epidemics are at their core a process that progresses dynamically upon a network, and are a key area of study in Network Science. In the course of the workshop a wide survey of the state of the subject was conducted. We summarize in this paper a series of perspectives of the subject, and where the authors believe fruitful areas for future research are to be found., Comment: Ayan Paul references preprints (DESY 20-142, HU-EP-20/23)