Vacuum states in de Sitter space

Journal Article · Sun Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.32.3136· OSTI ID:6446688

Allen, B

We examine possible vacuum states for scalar fields in de Sitter space, concentrating on those states (1) invariant under the de Sitter group O(1,4) or (2) invariant under one of its maximal subgroups E(3). For massive fields there is a one-complex-parameter family of de Sitter-invariant states, which includes the ''Euclidean'' vacuum state as a special case. We show these states are generated from the Euclidean vacuum by a frequency-independent Bogoliubov transformation, and obtain formulas for the symmetric, antisymmetric, and Feynman functions. In the massless minimally coupled case we prove that there exists no de Sitter-invariant Fock vacuum state. However one can find Fock states which are E(3) invariant. These states include the Bunch-Davies and Ottewill-Najmi vacua as special cases.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106
• OSTI ID: 6446688
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 32:12; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
DYNAMICAL GROUPS
EUCLIDEAN SPACE
FEYNMAN PATH INTEGRAL
INTEGRALS
LIE GROUPS
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
O GROUPS
RIEMANN SPACE
SCALAR FIELDS
SPACE
SPACE-TIME
SYMMETRY GROUPS
VACUUM STATES