Quantum Field Theory in Gravitational Contexts
Summary
Quantum field theory in gravitational contexts unites the principles of quantum mechanics with the dynamic geometry of spacetime. It addresses how quantised fields propagate in curved backgrounds and how vacuum fluctuations backreact on the gravitational field. This framework underlies predictions of particle creation in the early universe, Hawking radiation from black hole horizons and the influence of vacuum energy on cosmic expansion. Core challenges include formulating regularisation schemes that respect diffeomorphism invariance, constructing renormalisable effective actions for gravity and preserving gauge and frame covariance under quantisation. Progress in these areas informs our understanding of fundamental issues such as the cosmological constant problem, black hole information loss and the ultraviolet completion of gravity, with broad implications for cosmology, astrophysics and the quest for a quantum theory of gravity.
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Quantum Field Theory in Gravitational Contexts publication trend
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Technical terms
Curved spacetime: A manifold equipped with a Lorentzian metric that describes gravitational interactions in general relativity.
Regularisation: A procedure for controlling divergent integrals in quantum field theory by introducing a regulator parameter.
Background-field method: A quantisation technique that splits fields into classical backgrounds and quantum fluctuations to preserve gauge invariance.
Effective action: A functional that generates the full quantum‐corrected equations of motion for classical fields.
Vilkovisky–DeWitt effective action: A covariant extension of the effective action ensuring invariance under gauge transformations and field reparametrisations.
Trans-Planckian energy: Energy scales exceeding the Planck energy, at which classical concepts of spacetime break down and quantum gravity effects dominate.
References
- N-cutoff regularization for fields on hyperbolic space. Physical Review D (2024).
- On the Vilkovisky-DeWitt approach and renormalization group in effective quantum gravity. Journal of High Energy Physics (2020).
- Quantum-induced trans-Planckian energy near horizon. Journal of High Energy Physics (2018).
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