Abstract: This work is devoted to study the behavior of massless particles within the context of curved spacetime. In essence, we investigate the consequences of the scale factor C(?) of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric in the Einstein-aether formalism to study photon-like particles. To do so, we consider the system within the canonical ensemble formalism in order to derive the following thermodynamic state quantities: spectral radiance, Helmholtz free energy, pressure, entropy, mean energy and the heat capacity. Moreover, the correction to the Stefan-Boltzmann law and the equation of states are also provided. Particularly, we separate our study within three distinct cases, i.e. s = 0, p = 0; s = 1, p = 1; s = 2, p = 1. In the first one, the results are derived numerically. Nevertheless, for the rest of the cases, all the calculations are accomplished analytically showing explicitly the dependence of the scale factor C(?) and the Riemann zeta function ?(s). Furthermore, our analyses are accomplished in general taking into account three different regimes of temperature of the universe, i.e. the inflationary era (T = 10(13)GeV), the electroweak epoch (T = 10(3)GeV) and the cosmic microwave background (T = 10(-13)GeV).

Abstract: Quantum light is described not only by a quantum state but also by the shape of the electromagnetic modes on which the state is defined. Optical precision measurements often estimate a “mode parameter” that determines properties such as frequency, temporal shape, and the spatial distribution of the light field. By deriving quantum precision limits, we establish the fundamental bounds for mode parameter estimation. Our results reveal explicit mode-design recipes that enable the estimation of any mode parameter with quantum enhanced precision. Our approach provides practical methods for optimizing mode parameter estimation with relevant applications, including spatial and temporal positioning, spectroscopy, phase estimation, and superresolution imaging.

Abstract: In this paper, we report the development and performance of a detector module envisaging a tritium-in-water real-time activity monitor. The monitor is based on modular detection units whose number can be chosen according to the required sensitivity. The full system is being designed to achieve a Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) of 100 Bq/L of tritium-in-water activity which is the limit established by the E.U. Council Directive 2013/51/Euratom for water intended for human consumption. The same system can be used as a real-time pre-alert system for nuclear power plant regarding tritium-in water environmental surveillance. The first detector module was characterized, commissioned and installed immediately after the discharge channel of the Arrocampo dam (Almaraz nuclear power plant, Spain) on the Tagus river. Due to the high sensitivity of the single detection modules, the system requires radioactive background mitigation techniques through the use of active and passive shielding. We have extrapolated a MDA of 3.6 kBq/L for a single module being this value limited by the cosmic background. The obtained value for a single module is already compatible with a real-time environmental surveillance and pre-alert system. Further optimization of the single-module sensitivity will imply the reduction of the number of modules and the cost of the detector system.