Finite-temperature instantons from first principles

Journal Article · 29 December 2024 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.110.L111902 · OSTI ID:2484072

Steingasser, Thomas ; König, Morgane; Kaiser, David I.

We derive the finite-temperature quantum-tunneling rate from first principles. The tunneling rate depends on both temperature and time. We demonstrate that the relevant instantons should, therefore, be defined on a Keldysh-Schwinger contour, and we discuss how the familiar Euclidean time result arises from the limit of large physical times. We identify distinct behavior in the high- and low-temperature limits, incorporating effects from background fields. We construct a consistent perturbative scheme that incorporates large finite-temperature effects. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0012567
• OSTI ID: 2484072
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 110; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English