Free massive particles with total energy [Formula Presented] in curved spacetimes

We analyze free elementary particles with a rest mass m and total energy (Formula presented) in the Rindler wedge, outside Reissner-Nordstrom black holes and in the spacetime of relativistic (and nonrelativistic) stars, and use Unruh-DeWitt-like detectors to calculate the associated particle detection rate in each case. The (mean) particle position is identified with the spatial average of the excitation probability of the detectors, which are supposed to cover the whole space. Our results are shown to be in harmony with general relativity classical predictions. Eventually we reconcile our conclusions with Earth-based experiments which are in good agreement with (Formula presented). © 2002 The American Physical Society.