The relativistic harmonic oscillator in a uniform gravitational field

Abstract

[EN] We present the relativistic generalization of the classical harmonic oscillator suspended within a uniform gravitational field measured by an observer in a laboratory in which the suspension point of the spring is fixed. The starting point of this analysis is a variational approach based on the Euler-Lagrange formalism. Due to the conceptual differences of mass in the framework of special relativity compared with the classical model, the correct treatment of the relativistic gravitational potential requires special attention. It is proved that the corresponding relativistic equation of motion has unique periodic solutions. Some approximate analytical results including the next-to-leading-order term in the non-relativistic limit are also examined. The discussion is rounded up with a numerical simulation of the full relativistic results in the case of a strong gravity field. Finally, the dynamics of the model is further explored by investigating phase space and its quantitative relativistic features.