arXiv · gr-qc/9903026
Quantum Fields in Nonstatic background: A Histories Perspective
Abstract
For a quantum field living on a non - static spacetime no instantaneous Hamiltonian is definable, for this generically necessitates a choice of inequivalent representation of the canonical commutation relations at each instant of time. This fact suggests a description in terms of time - dependent Hilbert spaces, a concept that fits naturally in a (consistent) histories framework. Our primary tool for the construction of the quantum theory in a continuous -time histories format is the recently developed formalism based on the notion of the history group . This we employ to study a model system involving a 1+1 scalar field in a cavity with moving boundaries. The instantaneous (smeared) Hamiltonian and a decoherence functional are then rigorously defined so that finite values for the time - averaged particle creation rate are obtainable through the study of energy histories. We also construct the Schwinger - Keldysh closed- time - path generating functional as a ``Fourier transform'' of the decoherence functional and evaluate the corresponding n - point functions.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
C. Anastopoulos. 1999-10-12. Quantum Fields in Nonstatic background: A Histories Perspective. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.533155
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.