  We address on general quantum-statistical grounds the problem of optimal
detection of the Unruh-Hawking effect. We show that the effect signatures are
magnified up to potentially observable levels if the scalar field to be probed
has high mean energy from an inertial perspective: The Unruh-Hawking effect
acts like an amplification channel. We prove that a field in a Fock inertial
state, probed via photon counting by a non-inertial detector, realizes the
optimal strategy attaining the ultimate sensitivity allowed by quantum
mechanics for the observation of the effect. We define the parameter regime in
which the effect can be reliably revealed in laboratory experiments, regardless
of the specific implementation.
