Dynamical Casimir effect and surprises with loop corrections to it

Abstract

We calculate quantum loop corrections to the stress-energy flux caused by moving mirrors. We consider massless, self-interacting, $\phi^4$, real scalar theory. In these calculations we encounter a new and quite unexpected subtleties due to the absence of global hyperbolicity in the presence of mirrors. We attempt to clearly phrase as many as possible hidden assumptions and complications that appear along the course of the solution of the problem in question. On top of that we find that quantum loop corrections to the stress-energy flux are growing with time and are not suppressed in comparison with the semi-classical contributions. Thus, we observe the break down of the perturbation theory, discuss its physical origin and ways to deal with such a situation. As a byproduct we observe a similarity of the problem in question with that for the minimally coupled, massless scalar field in de Sitter space.