Classical acceleration temperature (CAT) in a box

Abstract

A confined, non-relativistic, accelerating electron is shown to emit thermal radiation. Since laboratories face spatial constraints when dealing with rectilinear motion, focusing on a finite total travel distance combines the benefits of simple theoretical analysis with prospects for table-top experimentation. We demonstrate an accelerated moving charge along an asymptotically static worldline with fixed transit distance and non-relativistic maximum speed, emitting self-consistent analytic power, spectra, and energy. The classical radiation is Planck distributed with an associated acceleration temperature. This is the first fully parametrized, spectrum-solved, finite-distance worldline.