General Prerequisites: Quantum Field Theory (MT), General Relativity I
(MT). General Relativity II and Advanced Quantum Field Theory will be
helpful but not essential.
Course Overview: 16 lectures
Areas: PT, Astro.
This course builds on both the first courses in quantum field theory and general relativity. The second course in GR and a course on differential geometry will be helpful, but are not essential. It will focus on
classical aspects of fields in curved space-time, global structure and black hole thermodynamics and then on quantum fields on curved backgrounds.
Link for homework submission to TA Sirui Ning:
https://cloud.maths.ox.ac.uk/index.php/s/zXDwgB4pdBybwAS
Course Syllabus:
Non-interacting fields in curved space-time: Lagrangians, coupling to gravity, spinors in curved space-time, global hyperbolicity, asymptotic structure, conformal properties. Black hole thermodynamics. Canonical
formulation.
Quantization, choice of vacuum. Quantum fields in Anti de Sitter space. Quantum fields in an expanding universe. Unruh effect. Casimir effect. Hawking radiation.
Lecturer(s):
Prof. Lionel Mason
Assessment Type:
No formal assessment; homework completion requirement.
Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to formulate classical and quantum field theories in curved space-time including an understanding of global features.