The Boltzmann equation from quantum field theory

DOI10.1016/J.PHYSLETB.2012.11.046zbMATH Open1332.82060arXiv1202.1301OpenAlexW2171467165WikidataQ56453678 ScholiaQ56453678MaRDI QIDQ261125FDOQ261125

Authors: M. Drewes, S. Mendizabal, Christoph Weniger 

Publication date: 22 March 2016

Published in: Physics Letters B (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We show from first principles the emergence of classical Boltzmann equations from relativistic nonequilibrium quantum field theory as described by the Kadanoff-Baym equations. Our method applies to a generic quantum field, coupled to a collection of background fields and sources, in a homogeneous and isotropic spacetime. The analysis is based on analytical solutions to the full Kadanoff-Baym equations, using the WKB approximation. This is in contrast to previous derivations of kinetic equations that rely on similar physical assumptions, but obtain approximate equations of motion from a gradient expansion in momentum space. We show that the system follows a generalized Boltzmann equation whenever the WKB approximation holds. The generalized Boltzmann equation, which includes off-shell transport, is valid far from equilibrium and in a time dependent background, such as the expanding universe.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1202.1301

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Boltzmann equations (35Q20) Semiclassical techniques, including WKB and Maslov methods applied to problems in quantum theory (81Q20) Quantum dynamics and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics (general) (82C10)

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Cited In (27)

• Derivation of quantum mechanics from the Boltzmann equation for the Planck aether
• Born's formula from statistical mechanics of classical fields and theory of hitting times
• Quantum Boltzmann Equations in the Early Universe
• Fate of oscillating homogeneous \(\mathbb{Z}_2\)-symmetric scalar condensates in the early universe
• Towards a precision calculation of \(N_{\mathrm{eff}}\) in the standard model. III: Improved estimate of NLO contributions to the collision integral
• Boltzmann equation in de Sitter space
• Effective action for cosmological scalar fields at finite temperature
• General Markovian equation for scalar fields in a slowly evolving background
• Oscillating scalar dissipating in a medium
• Multidisciplinary benchmarks of a conservative spectral solver for the nonlinear Boltzmann equation
• Boltzmann equation solver adapted to emergent chemical non-equilibrium
• Perturbative Out of Equilibrium Quantum Field Theory beyond the Gradient Approximation and Generalized Boltzmann Equation
• The kinematics of cosmic reheating
• Fate of \(Z_{2}\) symmetric scalar field
• Perturbative non-equilibrium thermal field theory to all orders in gradient expansion
• On the quantum Boltzmann equation
• THE BOLTZMANN EQUATION IS A RENORMALIZATION GROUP EQUATION
• From QFT to Boltzmann: freeze-in in the presence of oscillating condensates
• Derivation of Boltzmann equation in closed-time-path formalism
• Combining experimental and cosmological constraints on heavy neutrinos
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• Towards a precision calculation of the effective number of neutrinos N_eff in the Standard Model: the QED equation of state
• Random waves in a classical nonlinear Grassmann field. I. Boltzmann equation and scalar field coupling
• CMB constraints on the inflaton couplings and reheating temperature in \(\alpha\)-attractor inflation
• Derivation of the zeroth retardation order Boltzmann equation from nonstandard space-time Wigner quantum kinetics
• Collective classical motion on hyperbolic spacetimes of any dimensions
• Novel collective excitations in a hot scalar field theory

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