Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime and Black Hole Thermodynamics
In this book, Robert Wald provides a coherent, pedagogical introduction to the formulation of quantum field theory in curved spacetime. He begins with a treatment of the ordinary one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator, progresses through the construction of quantum field theory in flat spacetime to possible constructions of quantum field theory in curved spacetime, and, ultimately, to an algebraic formulation of the theory. In his presentation, Wald disentangles essential features of the...
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In this book, Robert Wald provides a coherent, pedagogical introduction to the formulation of quantum field theory in curved spacetime. He begins with a treatment of the ordinary one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator, progresses through the construction of quantum field theory in flat spacetime to possible constructions of quantum field theory in curved spacetime, and, ultimately, to an algebraic formulation of the theory. In his presentation, Wald disentangles essential features of the theory from inessential ones (such as a particle interpretation) and clarifies relationships between various approaches to the formulation of the theory. He also provides a comprehensive, up-to-date account of the Unruh effect, the Hawking effect, and some of its ramifications. In particular, the subject of black hole thermodynamics, which remains an active area of research, is treated in depth.This book will be accessible to students and researchers who have had introductory courses in general relativity and quantum field theory, and will be of interest to scientists in general relativity and related fields.
PrefaceNotation, Conventions, and Terminology1Introduction and Overview11.1The Formulation of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime11.2Classical Black Hole Thermodynamics61.3The Hawking Effect and Its Ramifications82Quantum Mechanical Preliminaries102.1Classical Dynamics of Particle Systems102.2Quantum Mechanics172.3Harmonic Oscillators213Quantum Fields in Flat Spacetime313.1Basic Construction313.2Reformulation353.3Particle Interpretation464Quantum Fields in Curved Spacetime534.1Curved Spacetimes; Global Hyperbolicity544.2Construction of Quantum Field Theory in a Curved Spacetime574.3Quantum Field Theory in Stationary Spacetimes614.4Unitary Equivalence; the S-Matrix664.5The Algebraic Approach734.6The Stress-Energy Tensor854.7Other Linear Fields1005The Unruh Effect1055.1The Unruh Effect in Flat Spacetime1065.2Killing Horizons1185.3The Unruh Effect in Curved Spacetimes1236Classical Black Hole Thermodynamics1336.1Classical Black Holes and the Area Theorem1336.2The Laws of Black Hole Mechanics1397The Hawking Effect1517.1Particle Creation by Black Holes1527.2The Generalized Second Law1637.3Evaporation of Black Holes and Loss of Quantum Coherence175Appendix: Some Basic Definitions and Constructions Pertaining to Hilbert Spaces188A.1Some Basic Definitions188A.2Some Basic Constructions190A.3Index Notation192References195Notation Index201General Index203
