119059340
A Kinetic Theory Approach to Quantum Gravity
We describe a kinetic theory approach to quantum gravity by which we mean a theory of the microscopic structure of space-time, not a theory obtained by quantizing general relativity. A figurative conception of this program is like building a ladder with two knotty poles: quantum matter field on the right and space-time on the left. Each rung connecting the corresponding knots represents a distinct level of structure. The lowest rung is hydrodynamics and general relativity; the next rung is semiclassical gravity, with the expectation value of quantum fields acting as source in the semiclassical Einstein equation. We recall how ideas from the statistical mechanics of interacting quantum fields helped us identify the existence of noise in the matter field and its effect on metric fluctuations, leading to the establishment of the third rung: stochastic gravity, described by the Einstein–Langevin equation. Our pathway from stochastic to quantum gravity is via the correlation hierarchy of noise and induced metric fluctuations. Three essential tasks beckon: (1) deduce the correlations of metric fluctuations from correlation noise in the matter field; (2) reconstituting quantum coherence—this is the reverse of decoherence—from these correlation functions; and (3) use the Boltzmann–Langevin equations to identify distinct collective variables depicting recognizable metastable structures in the kinetic and hydrodynamic regimes of quantum matter fields and how they demand of their corresponding space-time counterparts. This will give us a hierarchy of generalized stochastic equations—call them the Boltzmann–Einstein hierarchy of quantum gravity—for each level of space-time structure, from the the macroscopic (general relativity) through the mesoscopic (stochastic gravity) to the microscopic (quantum gravity).
17830761
Correlation entropy of an interacting quantum field and H theorem for the O(N) model
Following the paradigm of Boltzmann-BBGKY we propose a correlation entropy (of the nth order) for an interacting quantum field, obtained by `slaving' (truncation with causal factorization) of the higher (n+1 th) order correlation functions in the Schwinger-Dyson system of equations. This renders an otherwise closed system effectively open where dissipation arises. The concept of correlation entropy is useful for addressing issues related to thermalization. As a small yet important step in that direction we prove an H-theorem for the correlation entropy of a quantum mechanical O(N) model with a Closed Time Path Two Particle Irreducible Effective Action at the level of Next-to-Leading-Order large N approximation. This model may be regarded as a field theory in $0$ space dimensions.
22366791
Noise kernel in stochastic gravity and stress energy bitensor of quantum fields in curved spacetimes
The noise kernel is the vacuum expectation value of the (operator-valued) stress-energy bi-tensor which describes the fluctuations of a quantum field in curved spacetimes. It plays the role in stochastic semiclassical gravity based on the Einstein-Langevin equation similar to the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor in semiclassical gravity based on the semiclassical Einstein equation. According to the stochastic gravity program, this two point function (and by extension the higher order correlations in a hierarchy) of the stress energy tensor possesses precious statistical mechanical information of quantum fields in curved spacetime and, by the self-consistency required of Einstein's equation, provides a probe into the coherence properties of the gravity sector (as measured by the higher order correlation functions of gravitons) and the quantum nature of spacetime. It reflects the low and medium energy (referring to Planck energy as high energy) behavior of any viable theory of quantum gravity, including string theory. It is also useful for calculating quantum fluctuations of fields in modern theories of structure formation and for backreaction problems in cosmological and black holes spacetimes. 
We discuss the properties of this bi-tensor with the method of point-separation, and derive a regularized expression of the noise-kernel for a scalar field in general curved spacetimes. One collorary of our finding is that for a massless conformal field the trace of the noise kernel identically vanishes. We outline how the general framework and results derived here can be used for the calculation of noise kernels for Robertson-Walker and Schwarzschild spacetimes.
119407258
Quantum statistical processes in the early universe
We show how the concept of quantum open system and the methods in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics can be usefully applied to studies of quantum statistical processes in the early universe. We first sketch how noise, fluctuation, dissipation and decoherence processes arise in a wide range of cosmological problems. We then focus on the origin and nature of noise in quantum fields and spacetime dynamics. We introduce the concept of geometrodynamic noise and suggest a statistical mechanical definition of gravitational entropy. We end with a brief discussion of the theoretical appropriateness to view the physical universe as an open system.
118267306
Cosmology as `Condensed Matter' Physics
We note that in general there exist two basic aspects in any branch of physics, including cosmology - one dealing with the attributes of basic constituents and forces of nature, the other dealing with how structures arise from them and how they evolve. Current research in quantum and superstring cosmology is directed mainly towards the first aspect, even though a viable theory of the underlying interactions is lacking. We call the attention to the development of the second aspect, i.e., on the organization and processing of the basic constituents of matter (in classical cosmology) and spacetime (in quantum cosmology). Many newly developed concepts and techniques in condensed matter physics stemming from the investigation of disordered, dynamical and complex systems can guide us in asking the right questions and formulating new solutions to existing and developing cosmological issues, thereby broadening our view of the universe both in its formative and present state.
18511662
Noise and fluctuations in semiclassical gravity.
We continue our earlier investigation of the back reaction problem in semiclassical gravity with the Schwinger-Keldysh or closed-time-path (CTP) functional formalism using the language of the decoherent history formulation of quantum mechanics. Making use of its intimate relation with the Feynman-Vernon influence functional method, we examine the statistical mechanical meaning and show the interrelation of the many quantum processes involved in the back reaction problem, such as particle creation, decoherence, and dissipation. We show how noise and fluctuation arise naturally from the CTP formalism. We derive an expression for the CTP effective action in terms of the Bogoliubov coefficients and show how noise is related to the fluctuations in the number of particles created. In so doing we have extended the old framework of semiclassical gravity, based on the mean field theory of Einstein equation with a source given by the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor, to that based on a Langevin-type equation, where the dynamics of the fluctuations of spacetime is driven by the quantum fluctuations of the matter field. This generalized framework is useful for the investigation of quantum processes in the early Universe involving fluctuations, vacuum instability, and phase transition phenomena as well as the nonequilibrium thermodynamics of black holes. It is also essential to an understanding of the transition from any quantum theory of gravity to classical general relativity.
123110822
Corrections to scaling for period doubling
We have studied a multiple scaling which describes corrections to scaling. For the period doubling in one-dimensional dissipative maps, two-dimensional areapreserving maps, and four-dimensional symplectic maps, the multiple scaling is seen to be well-obeyed, and new scaling factors have been found. The multiple scaling is also seen to be a very powerful tool for searching for scaling behavior.
199677449
Entropy Perturbations in N-flation Model
122917005
Arnold diffusion in a four-dimensional standard map
Abstract We have studied Arnold diffusion in a four-dimensional symplectic map which is a coupled version of two standard maps. Using the stochastic pump model, we have computed the diffusion rate as a function of the coupling constant, the nonlinearity parameter, and the number of iterations. Theoretical prediction agrees well with numerical result; however, for large parameter values, deviation begins to emerge.
120519307
Introduction to real-space renormalization-group methods in critical and chaotic phenomena
Abstract The methods of the real-space renormalization group, and their application to critical and chaotic phenomena are reviewed. The article consists of two parts: the first part deals with phase transitions and critical phenomena; the second part, bifurcations and transitions to chaos. We begin with an introduction to the phenomenology of phase transitions and critical phenomena. Seminal concepts such as scaling and universality, and their characterization by critical exponents are discussed. The basic ideas of the renormalization group are then explained. A survey of real-space renormalization-group methods: decimation, Migdal-Kadanoff approximation, cumulant and cluster expansions, is given. The Hamiltonian formulation of classical statistical systems into quantum mechanical systems by the method of the transfer matrix is introduced. Quantum renormalization-group methods of truncation and projection, and their application to the transcribed quantum mechanical Ising model in a transverse field are illustrated. Finally, the quantum cumulant-expansion method as applied to the one-dimensional quantum mechanical XY model is discussed. The second part of the article is devoted to the subject of bifurcations and transitions to chaos. The three most commonly discussed kinds of bifurcations: the pitchfork, tangent and Hopf bifurcations, and the associated routes to chaos: period doubling, intermittency and quasiperiodicity are discussed. Period doubling based on the logistic map is explained in detail. Universality and its expression in terms of functional renormalization-group equations is discussed. The Liapunov characteristic exponent and its analogy to the order parameter are introduced. The effect of external noise and its universal scaling feature are shown. The simplest characterizations of the Henon strange attractor are intuitively illustrated. The purpose of this article is primarily pedagogical. The similarity between critical and chaotic phenomena is a recurrent theme that underlines the importance and usefulness of such concepts as scaling, renormalization and universality.
53993819
Probing Modified Gravity Theories with ISW and CMB Lensing
The imprint of the cross-correlation of the Integrated Sach s-Wolfe effect (ISW) and lensing of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation has recently been detected in the bispectrum of temperature maps. In this paper, we use the optimised skew-spectrum as well as skew-spectra associated with Minkowski Functionals (MFs) to test the possibility of using this signal to detect deviations in the theory of gravity away from General Relativity (GR). We fi nd that the although both statistics can put constraints on modified gravity, the optimised skew- spectra are especially sensitive to the parameter B0 that denotes the the Compton wavelengthof the scalaron at the present epoch, and both can be used to put stringent constraints on any departure from GR, or pinpoint any systematics in the data. We investigate three modified gravity theories, namely: the Post-Parametrised Friedmanian (PPF) formalism; the Hu-Sawicki (HS) model; and the Bertschinger-Zukin (BZ) formalism. Employing a likelihood analysis for an experimental setup similar to ESA’s Planck mission, we find that, assuming GR to be the correct model, we expect the constraints from the first two skew-spectra, S (0) l andS (1) l , to be the same: B0 < 0.45 at 95% confidence level (CL), and B0 < 0.67 at 99% CL in the BZ model. The third skew-spectrum does not give any meaningful constraint. The performance of MFs can be improved by using Wiener-type filtering, but we fi nd that the optimal skew-spectrum is much more powerful, giving B0 < 0.071 at 95% CL and B0 < 0.15 at 99% CL, which is a factor of six improvement compared to constraints derived from MF, and essentially identical to what can be achieved using the full bispectrum.