Regularization and renormalization of quantum field theory in curved space-time. [Pauli-Villars regulator fields]

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7211673· OSTI ID:7211673

Bernard, C; Duncan, A

It is proposed that field theories quantized in a curved space-time manifold can be conveniently regularized and renormalized with the aid of Pauli-Villars regulator fields. The method avoids the conceptual difficulties of covariant point-separation approaches, by starting always from a manifestly generally covariant action, and the technical limitations of the dimensional reqularization approach, which requires solution of the theory in arbitrary dimension in order to go beyond a weak-field expansion. An action is constructed which renormalizes the weak-field perturbation theory of a massive scalar field in two space-time dimensions--it is shown that the trace anomaly previously found in dimensional regularization and some point-separation calculations also arises in perturbation theory when the theory is Pauli-Villars regulated. One then studies a specific solvable two-dimensional model of a massive scalar field in a Robertson-Walker asymptotically flat universe. It is shown that the action previously considered leads, in this model, to a well defined finite expectation value for the stress-energy tensor. The particle production (less than 0 in/vertical bar/theta/sup mu nu/(x,t)/vertical bar/0 in greater than for t ..-->.. + infinity) is computed explicitly. Finally, the validity of weak-field perturbation theory (in the appropriate range of parameters) is checked directly in the solvable model, and the trace anomaly computed in the asymptotic regions t..-->.. +- infinity independently of any weak field approximation. The extension of the model to higher dimensions and the renormalization of interacting (scalar) field theories are briefly discussed.

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York (USA). Dept. of Physics; Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-02-2220
• OSTI ID: 7211673
• Report Number(s): COO-2220-97
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY
EXPECTATION VALUE
FIELD THEORIES
INTERACTIONS
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
PERTURBATION THEORY
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RENORMALIZATION
SCALAR FIELDS
SPACE-TIME
STRESSES
TENSORS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
UNIVERSE