Gravitational effects on a dissipative two-level atom in the weak-field regime
Phys. Rev. D 114, 025008 – Published 9 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lyrs-kzqj
Abstract
We investigate the dissipative dynamics of a two-level atom in a weak gravitational field. Using the Feynman-Vernon influence functional formalism, we derive a quantum master equation describing the two-level atom interacting with a scalar field in a Newtonian gravitational field and compute the energy dissipation rate of the atom. We find that the spontaneous emission rate (the dissipation rate in vacuum) is modified by the gravitational field. Specifically, this modification depends on the atom’s dipole, the position of the atom relative to the source of the gravitational field, and the frequency of the scalar radiation emitted by the atom. Furthermore, we identify the parameter regimes in which the spontaneous emission rate is enhanced or suppressed by gravity. We also discuss how the modification arises from time dilation and dipole radiation in a weak gravitational field. These findings provide a theoretical basis for exploring gravitational effects in open quantum systems.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Corrections
14 August, 2026
Correction: Typographical errors in the third sentence of the first paragraph and in the second sentence of the second paragraph in the Introduction have been fixed.
