The Unruh effect and its applications

It has been $30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{years}$ since the discovery of the Unruh effect. It has played a crucial role in our understanding that the particle content of a field theory is observer dependent. This effect is important in its own right and as a way to understand the phenomenon of particle emission from black holes and cosmological horizons. The Unruh effect is reviewed here with particular emphasis on its applications. A number of recent developments are also commented on and some controversies are discussed. Effort is also made to clarify what seem to be common misconceptions.

• FD
  Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo