The definition of time and quantum vacuum in 1 + 1 dimensions

Journal Article · Thu Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Modern Physics Letters A; (Singapore)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217732392002081· OSTI ID:6912574

Capri, A Z ^[1]; Roy, S M ^[2]

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1. Theoretical Physics Inst., Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2J1 (Canada)
2. Tata Inst. of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabba Road, Bombay 400 005 (India)

In this paper, the authors prove that for any (1+ 1)-dimensional globally hyperbolic space-time it is possible to define an instant of time as a special space-like geodesic which is independent of the coordinates chosen. This definition follows uniquely from the requirement of validity of Poincare symmetry in an infinitesimal neighborhood of the hypersurface of instantaneity. The generator associated with time translation then selects the direction of time. This fact permits unambiguous field quantization of this surface. For flat space-time the corresponding time and vacuum coincide with those of Minkowski space-time.

• OSTI ID: 6912574
• Journal Information: Modern Physics Letters A; (Singapore), Journal Name: Modern Physics Letters A; (Singapore) Vol. 7:25; ISSN 0217-7323; ISSN MPLAEQ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661100 -- Classical & Quantum Mechanics-- (1992-)
662110* -- General Theory of Particles & Fields-- Theory of Fields & Strings-- (1992-)
662120 -- General Theory of Particles & Fields-- Symmetry
Conservation Laws
Currents & Their Properties-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COORDINATES
GEODESICS
LIE GROUPS
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
MINKOWSKI SPACE
POINCARE GROUPS
QUANTIZATION
SPACE
SPACE-TIME
SYMMETRY GROUPS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS