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The Formulation of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime

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Beyond Einstein

Part of the book series: Einstein Studies ((EINSTEIN,volume 14))

Abstract

The usual formulations of quantum field theory in Minkowski spacetime make crucial use of Poincaré symmetry, positivity of total energy, and the existence of a unique, Poincaré invariant vacuum state. These and other key features of quantum field theory do not generalize straightforwardly to curved spacetime. We discuss the conceptual obstacles to formulating quantum field theory in curved spacetime and how they can be overcome.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by NSF grant PHY04-56619 to the University of Chicago.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Enrico Fermi Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago, 5640 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Robert M. Wald

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  1. Robert M. Wald
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Correspondence to Robert M. Wald .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Mathematik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany

    David E. Rowe

  2. Institut für Mathematik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany

    Tilman Sauer

  3. Centre François Viète, Université de Nantes, Nantes Cedex, France

    Scott A. Walter

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Wald, R.M. (2018). The Formulation of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime. In: Rowe, D., Sauer, T., Walter, S. (eds) Beyond Einstein. Einstein Studies, vol 14. Birkhäuser, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7708-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7708-6_15

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  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7706-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7708-6

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