Course: Quantum Field Theory in Curved Space-Time (2025-26)

Lecturer: Profile: Christopher Couzens
Lecturer: Profile: Lionel Mason

Course information

General prerequisites:

Quantum Field Theory (MT), General Relativity I
(MT) and General Relativity II. Advanced Quantum Field Theory and a course on differential geometry will be helpful but not essential.

Course term: Trinity

Course lecture information: 16 lectures

Course weight: 1

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to formulate classical and quantum field theories in curved space-time including an understanding of global features.

Course synopsis:

This course builds on the courses in quantum field theory and general relativity. It will focus on classical and quantum aspects of fields in curved space-time. The course will consist of the following topics: Classical fields in curved space, Quantization in curved space, Quantum fields in (Anti) de Sitter space, Quantum fields in Rindler space and the Unruh effect, Hawking radiation, Black hole thermodynamics and the Hawking-Page phase transition, Interactions in curved space-time, Quantum field theory and cosmology.

Section outline

Select section General

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General

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Lectures:
The lectures take place in week 1 - 4 of Trinity term on
Mondays 11AM - 1PM (Week 1-3 in L5, Week 4 in L3)
Wednesdays 11AM - 1PM (Week 1-3 in L5, Week 4 in L3)

Tutorial:
The tutorials take place in Room C5, week 3, 4 and 5
Tuesdays 4PM - 6PM

Deadline for problem sheets:
The deadline to hand in solutions is on Sunday at 11:59PM the week before the tutorial takes place.

Evaluation criteria:
Homework completion. To pass the course, you must pass each problem sheet by completing at least 50% of the graded problems. Late submissions are not accepted unless justified by a valid reason, and never after the corresponding tutorial has taken place.
- Select activity Announcements
  
  Announcements Forum
  
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Select section Course Materials

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Course Materials
- Select activity Lecture Notes
  
  Lecture Notes File
  
  These are the lecture notes for the course on Quantum Fields in Curved Spacetime. Note that these notes are a work in progress and will be updated regularly.
  
  If you spot any typo's, let me know.
- Select activity Sheet 1
  
  Sheet 1 Assignment
  
  Due: Sunday, 10 May 2026, 11:59 PM
  
  Problems with a star will not be graded. However, students are strongly encouraged to also try to complete the starred problems.
  
  In order to pass the sheet you have to complete at least 50% of the graded problems.
  
  Due at the end of week 2.
- Select activity Sheet 2
  
  Sheet 2 Assignment
  
  Due: Sunday, 17 May 2026, 11:59 PM
  
  Problems with a star will not be graded. However, students are strongly encouraged to also try to complete the starred problems.
  
  In order to pass the sheet you have to complete at least 50% of the graded problems.
  
  Due at the end of week 3.
- Select activity Sheet 3
  
  Sheet 3 Assignment
  
  Due: Sunday, 24 May 2026, 11:59 PM
  
  Problems with a star will not be graded. However, students are strongly encouraged to also try to complete the starred problems.
  
  In order to pass the sheet you have to complete at least 50% of the graded problems.
  
  Due at the end of week 4.
Select section Intercollegiate Classes

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Intercollegiate Classes
- Select activity Class Signup
  
  Class Signup Class registration
  
  Registration start: Monday, 20 April 2026, 12:00 PM
  
  Registration end: Friday, 22 May 2026, 12:00 PM

Main content blocks

Section outline

General

Course Materials

Intercollegiate Classes