Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/M.Markevitch et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.; Lensing Map: NASA/STScI; ESO WFI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.

Quantum Effects in Gravity

Jürgen Schaffner-Bielich

SS 2011

We 13:00-13:45 kHS Phil 12, Th 11:00-12:45, seminar room Phil 19

The lectures are intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics and astronomy with a basic knowledge of quantum field theory and general relativity. The course gives an introduction into quantum field theory in gravitational backgrounds as outlined in the textbook

"Quantum Effects in Gravity" of Mukhanov and Winitzki

Further literature will be provided in the lectures.

Topics:
Canonical quantization and particle production, Quantum fields in an expanding universe, Quantum fields in the de Sitter universe, Unruh effect, Hawking effect, Thermodynamics of black holes, Casimir effect, Path integrals and vacuum polarization, Effective action