Quantum field theory of relic nonequilibrium systems
arXiv:1409.6817 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.92.063531
Abstract
In terms of the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave formulation of quantum theory, we develop field-theoretical models of quantum nonequilibrium systems which could exist today as relics from the very early universe. We consider relic excited states generated by inflaton decay, as well as relic vacuum modes, for particle species that decoupled close to the Planck temperature. Simple estimates suggest that, at least in principle, quantum nonequilibrium could survive to the present day for some relic systems. The main focus of this paper is to describe the behaviour of such systems in terms of field theory, with the aim of understanding how relic quantum nonequilibrium might manifest experimentally. We show by explicit calculation that simple perturbative couplings will transfer quantum nonequilibrium from one field to another (for example from the inflaton field to its decay products). We also show that fields in a state of quantum nonequilibrium will generate anomalous spectra for standard energy measurements. Possible connections to current astrophysical observations are briefly addressed.
22 pages, 13 figures. Minor improvements and some clarifying remarks in v3
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- Mechanism for nonlocal information flow from black holes
- Trans-Planckian fluctuations and the stability of quantum mechanics
- Evolution of Quantum Nonequilibrium for Coupled Harmonic Oscillators
- -Epistemic Quantum Cosmology?
- Quantum relaxation in a system of harmonic oscillators with time-dependent coupling
- Undecidability and unpredictability: not limitations, but triumphs of science
- Relaxation to quantum equilibrium and the Born rule in Nelson's stochastic dynamics
- Quantum gravity and quantum probability
- Cosmological perturbation theory with York time
- Signatures of relic quantum nonequilibrium
- A principle of information conservation for physical laws (Hidden information in quantum systems?)