Wormhole creation by quantum tunnelling

Abstract

We study the process of quantum tunnelling in self-interacting scalar field theories with non-minimal coupling to gravity. In these theories gravitational instantons can develop a neck -- a feature prohibited in theories with minimal coupling, and describing the nucleation of geometries containing a wormhole. We also clarify the relationship of neck geometries to violations of the null energy condition.

6 pages, 2 figures; MG14 Conference Proceedings based on arXiv:1407.6026