Quantum Particle Creation Research Articles

Self-interacting quantized fields and particle creation in Robertson-Walker universes

The effects of self-interaction on quantum particle creation in cosmological models is investigated. The particular models which are considered are that of a scalar field with an interaction Lagrangian of the form L I = −λφ 4 and that of an electromagnetic field with an interaction of the form L I = b 1(F μνF μν) 2 + b 2( ∗F μνF μν) 2. In lowest order in the coupling constants, these self-interactions will give rise to the creation of particles in both pairs and in quartets. The contribution which these particles make to the total energy density and pressure of created particles is calculated. It is shown that in general the corrections to these quantities due to the interaction is linear (rather than quadratic) in the coupling constant. The one loop divergences which arise in pair creation are analysed, and the problem of removing them by regularization and renormalization is considered. Estimates are given in particular models for the magnitude of the particle creation arising from self-interaction.

Instabilities of massive scalar perturbations of a rotating black hole

We study the stability of a massive scalar field in the exterior metric of a rotating Kerr black hole. An argument based on energy conservation shows, under some strong technical assumptions, that unstable normal modes exist. These unstable modes can be interpreted as wave packets in bound, superradiant orbits. A JWKB estimate of the fastest growth rate gives 10 −7 M −1exp(−1.84 Mμ) in the case Mμ ⪢ 1, where M is the mass of the hole and μ is the mass of the field. The existence of unstable normal modes has significant implications for quantum particle creation by rotating black holes, which we attempt to assess.

Quantum particle creation (Hawking effect) in nonstationary black holes

Quantum particle creation (Hawking effect) in nonstationary black holes