Abstract
It is shown how quantum field theory at finite temperature can be used to set up selfconsistent and gauge invariant equations for cosmological perturbations sustained by an ultrarelativistic plasma. While in the collisionless case, the results are equivalent to those obtained from the Einstein-Vlasov equations, weak self-interactions in the plasma turn out to require the full machinery of perturbative thermal field theories such as resummation of hard thermal loops. Nevertheless it is still possible to use the same methods that yielded exact solutions in the collisionless case.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
G. Börner, The Early Universe: Facts and Fiction (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1993).
G.F. Smoot et al., Astrophys. J. 396, L1 (1992).
E. Lifshitz, Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 16, 587 (1946);
E. Lifshitz and I. Khalatnikov, Adv. Phys. 12, 185 (1963).
J.M. Bardeen, Phys. Rev. D 22, 1882 (1980).
G.F.R. Ellis and M. Bruni, Phys. Rev. D 40, 1804 (1989);
G.F.R. Ellis, J. Hwang and M. Bruni, Phys. Rev. D 40, 1819 (1989).
J. Ehlers, in General Relativity and Gravitation, edited by R.K. Sachs (Academic Press, New York, 1971);
J.M. Stewart, Non-equilibrium Relativistic Kinetic Theory, (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1971).
J.I. Kapusta, Finite-temperature field theory, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1989); M. Le Bellac, Thermal Field Theory to appear in Cambridge University Press.
U. Kraemmer and A. Rebhan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 793 (1991).
H. Nachbagauer, A.K. Rebhan, and D.J. Schwarz, Phys. Rev. D 51, R2504 (1995).
A. Rebhan, Nucl. Phys. B351, 706 (1991).
J. Frenkel and J.C. Taylor, Z. Phys. C 49, 515 (1991);
F.T. Brandt, J. Frenkel and J.C. Taylor, Nucl. Phys. B374, 169 (1992);
A.P. de Almeida, F.T. Brandt and J. Frenkel, Phys. Rev. D 49, 4196 (1994);
J. Frenkel, E.A. Gaffney and J.C. Taylor, Nucl. Phys. B439, 131 (1995).
A.K. Rebhan and D.J. Schwarz, Phys. Rev. D 50, 2541 (1994).
A. Rebhan, Nucl. Phys. B368, 479 (1992).
J.R. Bond and A.S. Szalay, Astrophys. J. 274, 443 (1983).
H. Nachbagauer, A.K. Rebhan, and D.J. Schwarz, preprint DESY 95–136, to appear in Phys. Rev.. D (1995).
E. Braaten and R.D. Pisarski, Nucl. Phys. B337, 569 (1990).
U. Kraemmer, A.K. Rebhan and H. Schulz, Ann. Phys. (NY) bf 238, 286 (1995); F. Flechsig and A.K. Rebhan, preprint DESY 95–170.
H. Nachbagauer, A.K. Rebhan, and D.J. Schwarz, preprint DESY 95–191.
B.J.T. Jones, Rev. Mod. Phys. 48, 107 (1976).
A. Rebhan, Astrophys. J. 392, 385 (1992).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rebhan, A.K. (1996). Quantum Field Theory at Finite Temperature and Cosmological Perturbations. In: Bordag, M. (eds) Quantum Field Theory Under the Influence of External Conditions. TEUBNER-TEXTE zur Physik, vol 30. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-01204-7_26
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-01204-7_26
Publisher Name: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden
Print ISBN: 978-3-663-01205-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-663-01204-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive