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Phys. Rev. D 7, 296–325 (1973)

Relativistic Quantum Many-Body Theory in Riemannian Space-Time

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Richard L. Bowers*
Center for Relativity Theory, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712

Robert L. Zimmerman
Institute of Theoretical Science and Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403

Received 14 February 1972; published in the issue dated 15 January 1973

A relativistic quantum many-body theory, which includes the strong interactions between elementary particles in curved space-time, is constructed. Using a generalized statisticaldensity operator, which incorporates the effects of gravitation as given by Einstein's field equations, as well as observables constructed from a generally covariant Lagrangian for matter fields, the definition of an N-point function of second-quantized matter fields is presented. The Yukawa coupling of a spinor field is then introduced. Coupled integral equations for the fermion and boson two-point functions in terms of the vertex function are given, which contain density and temperature effects in curved space-time; they are coupled to Einstein's equations through the expectation value of the energy-momentum density operator. Renormalization to effective masses and charge, as well as regularization, are discussed. The curved-space-time statistical-density operator is examined in the flat-space-time limit, and also in the nonrelativistic limit. The former agrees with previous work in relativistic statistical mechanics. The introduction of temperature and density as boundary conditions on flat-space-time N-point functions is carried out yielding a relativistic formalism, which may be applied to the calculation of such quantities as the equation of state of a superdense system of strongly interacting baryons. The nonrelativistic limit suggests a new approach to the statistical mechanics of Newtonian gravitation, in which such parameters as temperature become functions of coordinates. The relativistic flat-space-time limit is applicable to neutron stars at densities ρ>1015 g/cm3 consisting of strongly interacting matter.

© 1973 The American Physical Society

URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevD.7.296
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevD.7.296
PACS:

*Submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Oregon.