Flat and Curved Space-times

Flat and Curved Space-times
Author: George Francis Rayner Ellis
Publisher: Clarendon Press
Total Pages: 394
Release: 2000
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780198506560

This text explains special relativity and the basics of general relativity from a geometric viewpoint. Space-time geometry is emphasised throughout, and up-to-date information is provided on black holes, gravitational collapse, and cosmology.

Quantum Fields in Curved Space

Quantum Fields in Curved Space
Author: N. D. Birrell
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 362
Release: 1984-02-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1107392810

This book presents a comprehensive review of the subject of gravitational effects in quantum field theory. Although the treatment is general, special emphasis is given to the Hawking black hole evaporation effect, and to particle creation processes in the early universe. The last decade has witnessed a phenomenal growth in this subject. This is the first attempt to collect and unify the vast literature that has contributed to this development. All the major technical results are presented, and the theory is developed carefully from first principles. Here is everything that students or researchers will need to embark upon calculations involving quantum effects of gravity at the so-called one-loop approximation level.

Aspects of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime

Aspects of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime
Author: Stephen A. Fulling
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 332
Release: 1989-08-24
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780521377683

The theory of quantum fields on curved spacetimes has attracted great attention since the discovery, by Stephen Hawking, of black-hole evaporation. It remains an important subject for the understanding of such contemporary topics as inflationary cosmology, quantum gravity and superstring theory. This book provides, for mathematicians, an introduction to this field of physics in a language and from a viewpoint which such a reader should find congenial. Physicists should also gain from reading this book a sound grasp of various aspects of the theory, some of which have not been particularly emphasised in the existing review literature. The topics covered include normal-mode expansions for a general elliptic operator, Fock space, the Casimir effect, the 'Klein' paradox, particle definition and particle creation in expanding universes, asymptotic expansion of Green's functions and heat kernels, and renormalisation of the stress tensor. The style is pedagogic rather than formal; some knowledge of general relativity and differential geometry is assumed, but the author does supply background material on functional analysis and quantum field theory as required. The book arose from a course taught to graduate students and could be used for self-study or for advanced courses in relativity and quantum field theory.

Spacetime and Geometry

Spacetime and Geometry
Author: Sean M. Carroll
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 529
Release: 2019-08-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1108488390

An accessible introductory textbook on general relativity, covering the theory's foundations, mathematical formalism and major applications.

Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime and Black Hole Thermodynamics

Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime and Black Hole Thermodynamics
Author: Robert M. Wald
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 221
Release: 1994-11-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0226870278

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.

Space, Time, and Gravity

Space, Time, and Gravity
Author: Robert M. Wald
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 176
Release: 1992-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780226870281

Writing for the general reader or student, Wald has completely revised and updated this highly regarded work to include recent developments in black hole physics and cosmology. Nature called the first edition "a very readable and accurate account of modern relativity physics for the layman within the unavoidable constraint of almost no mathematics. . . . A well written, entertaining and authoritative book."

Quantum Mechanics in Curved Space-Time

Quantum Mechanics in Curved Space-Time
Author: Jurgen Audretsch
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 555
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461538149

Quantum mechanics and quantum field theory on one hand and Gravity as a theory of curved space-time on the other are the two great conc- tual schemes of modern theoretical physics. For many decades they have lived peacefully together for a simple reason: it was a coexistence wi- out much interaction. There has been the family of relativists and the other family of elementary particle physicists and both sides have been convinced that their problems have not very much to do with the problems of the respective other side. This was a situation which could not last forever, because the two theoretical schemes have a particular structural trait in common: their claim for totality and universality. Namely on one hand all physical theories have to be formulated in a quantum mechanical manner, and on the other hand gravity as curved space-time influences all processes and vice versa. It was therefore only a question of time that physically relevant domains of application would attract a general int- est, which demand a combined application of both theoretical schemes. But it is immediately obvious that such an application of both schemes is - possible if the schemes are taken as they are. Something new is needed which reconciles gravity and quantum mechanics. During the last two de- des we are now doing the first steps towards this more general theory and we are confronted with fundamental difficulties.

The Geometry of Spacetime

The Geometry of Spacetime
Author: James J. Callahan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 474
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1475767366

Hermann Minkowski recast special relativity as essentially a new geometric structure for spacetime. This book looks at the ideas of both Einstein and Minkowski, and then introduces the theory of frames, surfaces and intrinsic geometry, developing the main implications of Einstein's general relativity theory.

The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time

The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time
Author: S. W. Hawking
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 406
Release: 1975-02-27
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139810952

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity leads to two remarkable predictions: first, that the ultimate destiny of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse and to disappear from view, leaving behind a 'black hole' in space; and secondly, that there will exist singularities in space-time itself. These singularities are places where space-time begins or ends, and the presently known laws of physics break down. They will occur inside black holes, and in the past are what might be construed as the beginning of the universe. To show how these predictions arise, the authors discuss the General Theory of Relativity in the large. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory and an account of the necessary background of differential geometry, the significance of space-time curvature is discussed and the global properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are examined. The theory of the causal structure of a general space-time is developed, and is used to study black holes and to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singualarities under certain conditions. A discussion of the Cauchy problem for General Relativity is also included in this 1973 book.