Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime

dc.creatorWald, Robert M.
dc.date1995-09-29
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T03:30:52Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T03:30:52Z
dc.descriptionWe review the mathematically rigorous formulation of the quantum theory of a linear field propagating in a globally hyperbolic spacetime. This formulation is accomplished via the algebraic approach, which, in essence, simultaneously admits all states in all possible (unitarily inequivalent) Hilbert space constructions. The physically nonsingular states are restricted by the requirement that their two-point function satisfy the Hadamard condition, which insures that the ultra-violet behavior of the state be similar to that of the vacuum state in Minkowski spacetime, and that the expected stress-energy tensor in the state be finite. We briefly review the Unruh and Hawking effects from the perspective of the theoretical framework adopted here. A brief discussion also is given of several open issues and questions in quantum field theory in curved spacetime regarding the treatment of ``back-reaction", the validity of some version of the ``averaged null energy condition'', and the formulation and properties of quantum field theory in causality violating spacetimes.
dc.descriptionWrite-up of plenary talk given at GR14; 18 pages; plain LaTeX file
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9509057
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9509057
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/35667
dc.subjectGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
dc.titleQuantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime
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