Semiclassical and Stochastic Gravity
Semiclassical and Stochastic Gravity

Author: Bei-Lok B. Hu

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2020-03-05

Total Pages: 615

ISBN-13: 1108854141

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The two pillars of modern physics are general relativity and quantum field theory, the former describes the large scale structure and dynamics of space-time, the latter, the microscopic constituents of matter. Combining the two yields quantum field theory in curved space-time, which is needed to understand quantum field processes in the early universe and black holes, such as the well-known Hawking effect. This book examines the effects of quantum field processes back-reacting on the background space-time which become important near the Planck time (10-43 sec). It explores the self-consistent description of both space-time and matter via the semiclassical Einstein equation of semiclassical gravity theory, exemplified by the inflationary cosmology, and fluctuations of quantum fields which underpin stochastic gravity, necessary for the description of metric fluctuations (space-time foams). Covering over four decades of thematic development, this book is a valuable resource for researchers interested in quantum field theory, gravitation and cosmology.

Quantum Gravity
Quantum Gravity

Author: Carlo Rovelli

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-11-29

Total Pages: 516

ISBN-13: 1139456156

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Quantum gravity is perhaps the most important open problem in fundamental physics. It is the problem of merging quantum mechanics and general relativity, the two great conceptual revolutions in the physics of the twentieth century. The loop and spinfoam approach, presented in this 2004 book, is one of the leading research programs in the field. The first part of the book discusses the reformulation of the basis of classical and quantum Hamiltonian physics required by general relativity. The second part covers the basic technical research directions. Appendices include a detailed history of the subject of quantum gravity, hard-to-find mathematical material, and a discussion of some philosophical issues raised by the subject. This fascinating text is ideal for graduate students entering the field, as well as researchers already working in quantum gravity. It will also appeal to philosophers and other scholars interested in the nature of space and time.

Stochastic Processes for Physicists
Stochastic Processes for Physicists

Author: Kurt Jacobs

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2010-02-18

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 1139486799

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Stochastic processes are an essential part of numerous branches of physics, as well as in biology, chemistry, and finance. This textbook provides a solid understanding of stochastic processes and stochastic calculus in physics, without the need for measure theory. In avoiding measure theory, this textbook gives readers the tools necessary to use stochastic methods in research with a minimum of mathematical background. Coverage of the more exotic Levy processes is included, as is a concise account of numerical methods for simulating stochastic systems driven by Gaussian noise. The book concludes with a non-technical introduction to the concepts and jargon of measure-theoretic probability theory. With over 70 exercises, this textbook is an easily accessible introduction to stochastic processes and their applications, as well as methods for numerical simulation, for graduate students and researchers in physics.

Conversations on Quantum Gravity
Conversations on Quantum Gravity

Author: Jácome Armas

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-08-26

Total Pages: 719

ISBN-13: 1107168872

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Leading theorists share their important insights into the ongoing quest of theoretical physics to find a quantum theory of gravity.

Advances in the Interplay Between Quantum and Gravity Physics
Advances in the Interplay Between Quantum and Gravity Physics

Author: Peter G. Bergmann

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 553

ISBN-13: 9401003475

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In this XVII Course of the International School of Cosmology and Gravitation devoted to "ADVANCES IN THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN QUANTUM AND GRAVITY PHYSICS" we have considered different aspects of the influence of gravity on quantum systems. In order to achieve this aim, in many lectures, seminars and discussions we have strengthened the interplay between gravity and quantum systems starting from the situation in the early universe based on astrophysical observations, up to the earthly based experiments with atom interferometry for probing the structure of space-time. Thus we have had timely lectures on the quantum field and horizon of a black hole including reviews of the problem of black holes thermodynamics and entropy, quantum information, quantum black holes, quantum evaporation and Hawking radiation, recent advances in stockastic gravity. We have also discussed quantum fluctuations in inflationary universe, quantum effects and reheating after inflation, and superplanckian energies in Hawking radiation. In this regard the subject of spinors in purely affine space-time and Dirac matter according to Weyl in the generalized theory of gravitation were developed . The dualism between space-time and matter has been deeply analyzed in order to see why, for general relativity, this is an obstacle for quantization of the theory. Also canonical Gravity and Mach's principle, torsion and curvature as commutator for Quantum Gravity and Dirac Geometry of real space-time were analysed, together with the problem of 5-Dimensional Projective Unified Field theory and Multidimensional Gravity and Cosmology.

Gravitation and Astrophysics
Gravitation and Astrophysics

Author: James M. Nester

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 9812772928

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The ICGA series of conferences is specially aimed to serve the needs of the workers in this research area in the Asia-Pacific region. The previous conferences of this series have attracted a growing number of local, regional and international participants. 2005 was an auspicious year. Not only was it the International Year of Physics, commemorating Einstein''s great achievements of 1905, it also was the anniversary of Einstein''s development of General Relativity: he submitted the final form of his field equations on 25 November, 1915. Nine decades years later, around 40 Taiwan-based participants were joined by over 40 distinguished visitors from Canada, China, France, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the USA, and this volume includes many of the papers that were presented. The depth and breadth of these contributions reflect the high quality of the meeting and the development of the field in the Asia-Pacific region. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Progress in Testing Newtonian Inverse Square Law (234 KB). Contents: Experimental Tests of Gravity; Numerical Relativity; Cosmology; Astrophysics; Quantum Gravity; Classical Gravity. Readership: Graduate students and researchers in astrophysics, gravitation, cosmology and theoretical physics.

Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime
Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime

Author: Leonard Parker

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-08-20

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 1139480855

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Quantum field theory in curved spacetime has been remarkably fruitful. It can be used to explain how the large-scale structure of the universe and the anisotropies of the cosmic background radiation that we observe today first arose. Similarly, it provides a deep connection between general relativity, thermodynamics, and quantum field theory. This book develops quantum field theory in curved spacetime in a pedagogical style, suitable for graduate students. The authors present detailed, physically motivated, derivations of cosmological and black hole processes in which curved spacetime plays a key role. They explain how such processes in the rapidly expanding early universe leave observable consequences today, and how in the context of evaporating black holes, these processes uncover deep connections between gravitation and elementary particles. The authors also lucidly describe many other aspects of free and interacting quantized fields in curved spacetime.

Tau Functions and their Applications
Tau Functions and their Applications

Author: John Harnad

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-02-04

Total Pages: 549

ISBN-13: 1108492681

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A thorough introduction to tau functions, from the basics through to the most recent results, with applications in mathematical physics.

The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time
The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time

Author: Stephen W. Hawking

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2023-02-16

Total Pages: 414

ISBN-13: 1009253182

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First published in 1973, this influential work discusses Einstein's General Theory of Relativity to show how two of its predictions arise: first, that the ultimate fate of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse to form 'black holes'; and second, that there was a singularity in the past at the beginning of the universe. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory, including the necessary differential geometry, the authors discuss the significance of space-time curvature and examine the properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations. They develop the theory of the causal structure of a general space-time, and use it to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singularities under certain conditions. A Foreword contributed by Abhay Ashtekar and a new Preface from George Ellis help put the volume into context of the developments in the field over the past fifty years.