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Silvia Pla

Publications and source records attributed to Silvia Pla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Wilsonian Cosmology: de Sitter (in)Stability

We develop a (Wilsonian) functional-renormalisation-group framework for scalar cosmology in which quantum fluctuations of a scalar field are coarse-grained on cosmological spacelike hypersurfaces. Integrating out quantum fluctuations with wavelengths smaller than the Hubble radius $H(t)^{-1}$, we obtain an effective scalar potential $U(\phi(t),H(t))$ that evolves in time. We derive a non-perturbative flow equation for this potential, together with the coupled set of (modified) Friedmann equations. We then apply this formalism to the simplest possible case of a de Sitter vacuum when the scalar field is at rest, in two situations which satisfy exactly our flow equation: $(i)$ A flat potential, for which we find that the only pure de Sitter solution is unstable and corresponds to a saddle point. $(ii)$ A quadratic potential with curvature $m^2>0$, for which we find that the presence of the mass term stabilises the system. The latter case leads to a de Sitter attractor either at the Hubble scale when the mass is larger than the Hubble scale at initial time, or by introducing a new attractor located at $H=m$ in the case the mass is smaller, which may be particularly relevant to the phenomenological study of dark energy and inflation theories.

hep-th↗
arXiv2026

Singularity resolution and unitarity in two-dimensional dilaton black holes with negative central charge

We study a one-loop corrected extension of the classical Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger (CGHS) model of two-dimensional dilaton gravity. The effective action combines the non-local Polyakov action for matter fluctuations, a Polyakov-type term built from an auxiliary flat metric that implements Strominger's mechanism for the Faddeev-Popov reparametrization ghosts, and a local counterterm that simultaneously preserves the flatness of the auxiliary metric, ensures exact solvability, and keeps two-dimensional Minkowski spacetime as an exact solution of the backreacted equations. In the regime of negative total central charge, the classical curvature singularity is resolved and gives way to asymptotically flat regions inside the horizon. The exterior Hawking flux is preserved and turns out to be correlated with an internal radiation flux supported on null surfaces that approach null infinity from beyond the horizon; this internal flux, in particular, presents a short interval of negative values. These correlations point to the preservation of unitarity, provided the relevant null surfaces remain at a finite affine distance from the collapsing matter trajectory. Within the present formulation, however, a fully consistent energy balance cannot yet be established. We discuss possible strategies to overcome this issue.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2025

Mass and entropy of asymptotically flat eternal quantum black holes in 2D

Semi-classical dilaton gravity in (1+1)-dimensions remains one of the only arenas where quantum black holes can be exactly constructed, fully accounting for backreaction due to quantum matter. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of the mass and thermodynamic properties of static asymptotically flat quantum black holes both analytically and numerically. First, we analytically investigate eternal quantum black hole solutions to a one-parameter family of analytically solvable models interpolating between Russo-Susskind-Thorlacius and Bose, Parker, and Peleg gravities. Examining these models in a semi-classically allowed parameter space, we find naked singularities may exist for quantum fields in the Boulware state. Using a quasi-local formalism, where we confine the black hole to a finite sized cavity, we derive the conserved energy and analyze the system's thermal behavior. Specifically, we show the semi-classical Wald entropy precisely equals the generalized entropy, accounting for both gravitational and fine grained matter entropies, and we find a range where the quantum black holes are thermally stable. Finally, we numerically construct eternal black hole solutions to semi-classical Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger gravity and find their thermal behavior is qualitatively different from their analytic counterparts. In the process, we develop an analytic expansion of the solutions and find it accurately approximates the full numerical solutions in the semi-classical limit.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2025

Entanglement in the Schwinger effect

We analyze entanglement generated by the Schwinger effect using a mode-by-mode formalism for scalar and spinor QED in constant backgrounds. Starting from thermal initial states, we derive compact, closed-form results for bipartite entanglement between particle-antiparticle partners in terms of the Bogoliubov coefficients. For bosons, thermal fluctuations enhance production but suppress quantum correlations: the logarithmic negativity is nonzero only below a (mode-dependent) critical temperature $T_c$. At fixed $T$, entanglement appears only above a critical field $E_{\text{entang}}$. For fermions, we observe a qualitatively different pattern: the fermionic logarithmic negativity is non-vanishing at finite temperature, and is monotonically suppressed by thermal noise. As a function of the electric field, it is non-monotonic, featuring a temperature-independent optimal field strength $E_*$ and decreasing on both sides of the maximum. We give quantitative estimates for analog experiments, where our entanglement criteria convert directly into concrete temperature and electric field constraints. These findings identify realistic regimes where the quantum character of Schwinger physics may be tested in the laboratory.

hep-th↗
arXiv2025

The Birth of Gravitational Particle Creation: the Enduring Legacy of Leonard Parker's 1966 Thesis

This paper offers a historical overview of the origins and enduring significance of gravitational particle creation, a groundbreaking discovery first formulated in Leonard Parker's 1966 doctoral thesis at Harvard University. By tracing the context in which Parker developed this idea and examining its subsequent influence, the paper highlights how the concept of gravitational particle creation advanced the study of quantum field theory in curved spacetime and profoundly shaped modern cosmology, as well as the quantum theory of black holes.

physics.hist-ph↗
arXiv2025

Exact Renormalisation Group Evolution of the Inflation Dynamics: Reconciling $\alpha$-Attractors with ACT

We present a non-perturbative framework for the dynamics of slow-roll inflation that consistently incorporates quantum corrections, based on an alternative functional renormalisation group (RG) approach. We derive the coupled Friedmann-RG flow equations governing the joint evolution of spacetime, the inflaton field, and its effective potential. Applying this formalism to $\alpha$-attractor E-models, we find that the RG flow induces a dynamical destabilisation of the inflationary trajectory, leading to a premature termination of slow roll. Remarkably, the resulting predictions bring $\alpha$-attractors into full agreement with the latest ACT data without introducing new physics beyond a consistent quantum-corrected treatment of the inflaton dynamics.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Quantum Effects in 3+1 Schwarzschild-de Sitter Spacetime: Properties of the Hadamard Function

In a four-dimensional Schwarzschild-de Sitter background, the spherically symmetric $(\ell=0)$ contribution to the Hadamard two-point correlation function is computed for a massless minimally-coupled scalar field in the Unruh state. Consideration is given to spacetime points located between the black hole and cosmological horizons. Previously it was found in two dimensions at late times for spatially separated points that the Hadamard function exhibits unbounded linear growth in time, with a rate of growth proportional to the sum of the black hole and cosmological surface gravities. Here it is shown numerically that this instability persists in four dimensions, but with a modification of the two-dimensional result due to scattering effects associated with the scalar field modes. An analytic approximation is derived for the growth rate in four dimensions and, in the limit that the black hole vanishes, is found to be equivalent to the rate of growth for the Hadamard function found previously for de Sitter space in cosmological coordinates.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2024

Mapping 1+1-dimensional black hole thermodynamics to finite volume effects

Both black hole thermodynamics and finite volume effects in quantum field theory violate the null energy condition. Motivated by this, we compare thermodynamic features between two $1+1$-dimensional systems: (i) a scalar field confined to a periodic spatial interval of length $a$ and tunneling between two degenerate vacua; (ii) a dilatonic black hole at temperature $T$ in the presence of matter fields. If we identify $a\propto T^{-1}$, we find similar thermodynamic behaviour, which suggests some deeper connection arising from the presence of non-trivial boundary conditions in both systems. We then extend our results to $2+1$ and $3+1$-dimensions and, although a more complete study is necessary, the connection found in $1+1$-dimensions seems to be valid in higher dimensions too.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Double-well instantons in finite volume

Assuming a toroidal space with finite volume, we derive analytically the full one-loop vacuum energy for a scalar field tunnelling between two degenerate vacua, taking into account discrete momentum. The Casimir energy is computed for an arbitrary number of dimensions using the Abel-Plana formula, while the one-loop instanton functional determinant is evaluated using the Green's functions for the fluctuation operators. The resulting energetic properties are non-trivial: both the Casimir effect and tunnelling contribute to the Null Energy Condition violation, arising from a non-extensive true vacuum energy. We discuss the relevance of this mechanism to induce a cosmic bounce, requiring no modified gravity or exotic matter.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Renormalization of the primordial inflationary power spectra

It has been suggested that the effects of renormalization significantly reduce the amplitude of the inflationary spectra at scales measurable in the cosmic microwave background. Via a gauge-invariant analysis, we compute the renormalized scalar and tensor power spectra and follow their evolution in an inflating universe that undergoes a transition to an FRW phase with a growing horizon. For perturbations originating from Minkowski vacuum fluctuations, we show that the standard prediction for the spectra on superhorizon scales is a late-time attractor, while they are UV finite at all times. Our result is independent of the equation of state after inflation, showing that the standard prediction is fully robust.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2023

Tunnelling-induced cosmic bounce in the presence of anisotropies

If we imagine rewinding the universe to early times, the scale factor shrinks and the existence of a finite spatial volume may play a role in quantum tunnelling effects in a closed universe. It has recently been shown that such finite volume effects dynamically generate an effective equation of state that could support a cosmological bounce. In this work we extend the analysis to the case in which a (homogeneous) anisotropy is present, and identify a criteria for a successful bounce in terms of the size of the closed universe and the properties of the quantum field.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2023

Comment on "Gravitational Pair Production and Black Hole Evaporation"

We scrutinize the recent Letter "Gravitational pair production and black hole evaporation" by M.F. Wondrak, W.D. van Suijlekom and H. Falcke [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 221502 (2023); arXiv:2305.18521]. We show that some consequences based on the proposed imaginary part of the lowest order effective action are in sharp tension with exact results on pair creation in electrodynamics and cosmology. This casts serious doubt on their claims for particle production in a Schwarzschild spacetime.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2023

Equivalence of the adiabatic expansion and Hadamard renormalization for a charged scalar field

We examine the relationship between three approaches (Hadamard, DeWitt-Schwinger and adiabatic) to the renormalization of expectation values of field operators acting on a charged quantum scalar field. First, we demonstrate that the DeWitt-Schwinger representation of the Feynman Green's function is a particular case of the Hadamard representation. Next, we restrict attention to a spatially flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe with time-dependent, purely electric, background electromagnetic field, considering two, three and four-dimensional space-times. Working to the order required for the renormalization of the stress-energy tensor (SET), we find the adiabatic and DeWitt-Schwinger expansions of the Green's function when the space-time points are spatially separated. In two and four dimensions, the resulting DeWitt-Schwinger and adiabatic expansions are identical. In three dimensions, the DeWitt-Schwinger expansion contains terms of adiabatic order four which are not necessary for the renormalization of the SET and hence absent in the adiabatic expansion. The equivalence of the DeWitt-Schwinger and adiabatic approaches to renormalization in the scenario considered is thereby demonstrated in even dimensions. In odd dimensions the situation is less clear and further investigation is required in order to determine whether adiabatic renormalization is a locally covariant renormalization prescription.

hep-th↗
arXiv2023

Hadamard and boundary conditions for the Big Bang quantum vacuum

General relativity predicts final-type singularities inside black holes, as well as a cosmological initial-type singularity. Cosmic censorship protects external observers from black hole singularities, while Penrose's Weyl curvature hypothesis protects the smoothness of the initial (Big Bang) singularity. We discuss a simple realization of the Weyl curvature hypothesis by assuming a very early radiation-dominated universe and analytically extending the expansion factor to negative values of conformal time. We impose time-reversal conditions at the Big Bang to characterize a natural set of preferred vacuum states for quantized matter fields. We implement the prescription of States of Low Energy constructed around the Big Bang obtaining Hadamard states. We also explore the physical implications of these vacua for cosmological dark matter production.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2023

Cosmic bounce and phantom-like equation of state from tunnelling

We allow a scalar field on a flat FLRW background metric to tunnel between two degenerate vacua. The resulting true vacuum state then violates the Null Energy Condition, and the corresponding homogeneous fluid induces a bounce, after which it has a phantom-like equation of state and asymptotically leads to a de Sitter phase. The mechanism presented here requires no exotic matter or modified gravity, it is purely generated by quantum fluctuations and is valid for a generic double well potential.

hep-th↗
arXiv2023

Adiabatic regularization and preferred vacuum state for the $λϕ^4$ field theory in cosmological spacetimes

We extend the method of adiabatic regularization by introducing an arbitrary parameter $μ$ for a scalar field with quartic self-coupling in a Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) spacetime at one-loop order. The subtraction terms constructed from this extended version allow us to define a preferred vacuum state at a fixed time $η= η_0$ for this theory. We compute this vacuum state for two commonly used background fields in cosmology. We also give a possible prescription for an adequate value for $μ$.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2023

Low Energy States and CPT invariance at the Big Bang

In this paper, we analyze the quantum vacuum in a radiation-dominated and CPT-invariant universe by further imposing the quantum states to be ultraviolet regular i.e., satisfying the Hadamard/adiabatic condition. For scalar fields, this is enforced by constructing the vacuum via the States of Low Energy proposal. For spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ fields, we extend this proposal for a FLRW spacetime and apply it for the radiation-dominated and CPT-invariant universe. We focus on minimizing the smeared energy density around the Big Bang and give strong evidence that the resulting states satisfy the Hadamard/adiabatic condition. These states are then self-consistent candidates as effective Big Bang quantum vacuum from the field theory perspective.

gr-qc↗