Rindler Space  

In General > minkowski space.
* Idea: Minkowski spacetime with coordinates adapted to a boost Killing vector field, i.e., to a uniformly accelerated observer.
* Coordinates: If (X, T) are the Minkowski coordinates, Rindler coordinates (x, t) are defined on the right wedge (X > 0, |T| < |X|) by

X = g–1 egx cosh gt ,      T = g–1 egx sinh gt ,

and coordinates (x', t') on the left wedge (X < 0, |T| < |X|) are defined by

X = –g–1 egx' cosh gt' ,      T = –g–1 egx' sinh gt' ;

In either case, the inverse transformation is given by

t, t' = g–1 tanh–1(T/X) ,      x, x' = (2g)–1 ln[g2(X 2T 2)] .

The lines t = constant are straight half-lines, while x = const are hyperbolae of acceleration g egx.
* Line element: Given by

ds2 = e2gx (–dt2 + dx2) ,

so proper time is related to coordinate time by = egx t.
@ General references: Born AdP(09) [precursor]; Rindler AJP(66)dec; Felix da Silva & Dahia IJMPA(07) [non-Euclidean geometry of spatial sections].
@ Related topics: Kowalski-Glikman PRD(09)-a0907 [deformed, -Rindler space].

And Classical Field Theory > see dirac fields.

And Quantum Field Theory > s.a. gravitational thermodynamics.
* Idea: The Minkowski vacuum looks like a thermal state in Rindler space, for an observer moving along x = constant, with temperature depending on its acceleration; This makes it useful for mimicking black-hole radiation.
@ Thermal properties: Fulling PRD(73); Unruh PRD(76); Lapedes JMP(78); Dray & Manogue pr(87); Laflamme PLB(87); Nikolic MPLA(01)gq [criticism of use]; Xiang & Zheng IJTP(01) [horizon entropy]; > s.a. radiation; quantum field theory effects in curved spacetime.


main pageabbreviationsjournalscommentsother sitesacknowledgements
send feedback and suggestions to bombelli at olemiss.edu – modified 31 aug 2009