Dissipation, Noise, and Vacuum Decay in Quantum Field Theory
Open Access
- 18 December 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 88 (1) , 010403
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.88.010403
Abstract
We study the process of vacuum decay in quantum field theory focusing on the stochastic aspects of the interaction between long- and short-wavelength modes. This interaction results in a diffusive behavior of the reduced Wigner function describing the state of long-wavelength modes, and thereby to a finite activation rate even at zero temperature. This effect can make a substantial contribution to the total decay rate.Keywords
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