O(N) quantum fields in curved space-time

Feb, 1997
44 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 56 (1997) 661-677
e-Print:
Report number:
  • UMD-PP-97-083

Citations per year

199720042011201820230123456
Abstract: (arXiv)
For the O(N) field theory with lambda Phi^4 self-coupling, we construct the two-particle-irreducible (2PI), closed-time-path (CTP) effective action in a general curved spacetime. From this we derive a set of coupled equations for the mean field and the variance. They are useful for studying the nonperturbative, nonequilibrium dynamics of a quantum field when full back reactions of the quantum field on the curved spacetime, as well as the fluctuations on the mean field, are required. Applications to phase transitions in the early Universe such as the Planck scale or in the reheating phase of chaotic inflation are under investigation.
  • 11.15.Pg
  • 04.62.+v
  • 03.65.Sq
  • field theory: O(N)
  • phi**n model: 4
  • effective action
  • space-time: background
  • mean field approximation
  • expansion 1/N
  • renormalization