On the meaning of path integrals in quantum cosmology

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Annals of Physics (New York); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(91)90178-B· OSTI ID:5736504

Kiefer, C ^[1]

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1. Univ. Zuerich (Switzerland)

The meaning of path integrals in quantum cosmology is explored in detail. This is first done through comparison with energy-dependent Green functions in quantum mechanics and the proper time representation for the Klein-Gordon equation. Then a minisuperspace model corresponding to a Friedmann Universe with a conformally coupled scalar field is discussed at length. The author investigates in particular which class of solutions to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation if found through the choice of possible contours of integration in the path integral. The path integral can be evaluated exactly for Hartle-Hawking boundary conditions, while for the general case it is evaluated through a steepest-descent approximation. It is shown that the results do not correspond to solutions reflecting the classical behavior of the model.

• OSTI ID: 5736504
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York); (United States) Vol. 207:1; ISSN APNYA; ISSN 0003-4916
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

662110* -- General Theory of Particles & Fields-- Theory of Fields & Strings-- (1992-)
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONSTRUCTIVE FIELD THEORY
COSMOLOGY
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
EVALUATION
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
GREEN FUNCTION
INTEGRALS
KLEIN-GORDON EQUATION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUANTUM GRAVITY
SCALAR FIELDS
WAVE EQUATIONS
WAVE FUNCTIONS