Quantum versus classical instability of scalar fields in curved backgrounds

Author(s)

Mendes, Raissa F. P. ^[1] ; Matsas, George E. A. ^[1] ; Vanzella, Daniel A. T. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Fis Teor, BR-01140070 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fisica Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Physical Review D; v. 89, n. 4 FEB 24 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

General-relativistic stable spacetimes can be made unstable under the presence of certain nonminimally coupled free scalar fields. In this paper, we analyze the evolution of linear scalar-field perturbations in spherically symmetric spacetimes and compare the classical stability analysis with a recently discussed quantum field one. In particular, it is shown that vacuum fluctuations lead to natural seeds for the unstable phase, whereas in the classical framework the presence of such seeds in the initial conditions must be assumed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/55449-1 - Physics in curved spacetimes
• Grantee: George Emanuel Avraam Matsas
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/06429-3 - Quantum field theory in spherically symmetric spacetimes and the vacuum awakening effect.
• Grantee: Raissa Fernandes Pessoa Mendes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate