Quantum field theory in curved spacetimes

Abstract

Quantum field theory in curved spacetimesThe search for the fundamental theory which describes nature at the Planck scale still seems to be far from being accomplished. Notwithstanding, whatever this theory turns out to be, it should contain quantum field theory in the low-energy limito in the case that matter fields are under the influence of strong gravitational fields, the standard formalism should be extended to take into account the existence of more general spacetimes. As a consequence, it was developed over the bases of general relativity and quantum field theory a semiclassical theory of gravity whose formalism was coined Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (QFTCS). The semiclassical theory o gravity has accomplished some surprising predictions as, e.g., the hawking and the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effects. The first one illustrates that QFTCS can anticipate macroscopic quantum gravity effects while the second one illustrates its power to clarify subtle conceptual issues which are present in qantum filed theory and in general relativity. The understanding of (i) the radiation emission from charges and (ii) the decay of protons (when charge and proton are uniformly accelerated) from the point of view of coaccelerated observers would not be possible without the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect. Finally, a third contribution given by QFTCS is connected with the calculation of gravitational corrections in particle processes occurring in the vicinity of black boles and in relativistic stars. This project aims to explore some of the most important aspects of QFTCS, namely: particle creation: here we aim to study (i) elementary particle processes in the vicinity of black boles and ... (AU)