Is the vacuum a thermal state?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of thermal coherent states and their relationship to the vacuum state. The energy that can be borrowed from a thermal coherent state is dependent on the Hamiltonian, and can be calculated as NKT/2 for quadratic Hamiltonians in canonical coordinates and momenta. However, for more complex Hamiltonians, the relationship is not as straightforward.
  • #1
naima
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Please look at the wikipedia article about thermal coherent states.
We can only consider the states centered at the origin (##\alpha## = 0). If i understand what is written the vacuum is a pecular thermal state in the limit of a null temperature. I can understand that no energy can be borrowed from a system at this temperature. But this is because we used the word "temperature". How can we compute the energy that can be borrowed from a thermal coherent state? Is it N k T?
Thanks.
 
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  • #2
naima said:
How can we compute the energy that can be borrowed from a thermal coherent state? Is it N k T?
It's NKT/2 when the Hamiltonian is quadratic in canonical coordinates and momenta. For more general Hamiltonians the relation is not so simple.
 

1. What is a thermal state in the context of a vacuum?

A thermal state is a state of matter in which all particles have a specific amount of energy and are in thermal equilibrium with each other. In the context of a vacuum, it refers to the state in which there is no matter present and there is no transfer of heat or energy.

2. How is a vacuum related to thermal states?

A vacuum is related to thermal states because it is considered to be a state of matter with no particles present and therefore no thermal energy. In other words, a vacuum is often described as having a temperature of absolute zero, which is the lowest temperature possible and signifies the absence of any thermal energy.

3. Can a vacuum be considered a thermal state?

Yes, a vacuum can be considered a thermal state. This is because, according to the laws of thermodynamics, a vacuum is considered to be in thermal equilibrium and has a temperature of absolute zero.

4. How is the vacuum's temperature determined?

The temperature of a vacuum is determined by measuring the energy of the particles present in the vacuum. As there are no particles present in a vacuum, its temperature is considered to be absolute zero.

5. Are there any exceptions to the vacuum being a thermal state?

There are some exceptions to the vacuum being a thermal state, such as in the case of virtual particles. These are particles that can briefly appear and disappear in a vacuum due to quantum fluctuations. In this case, the vacuum would not be considered a thermal state as it would have some particles present and therefore some thermal energy.

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