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Introduction to Quantum Effects in Gravity
This book, first published in 2007, is an introductory textbook on quantum field theory in gravitational backgrounds intended for undergraduate and beginning graduate students in the fields of theoretical astrophysics, cosmology, particle physics, and string theory. The book covers the basic (but essential) material of quantization of fields in an expanding universe and quantum fluctuations in inflationary spacetime. It also contains a detailed explanation of the Casimir, Unruh, and Hawking effects, and introduces the method of effective action used for calculating the back-reaction of quantum systems on a classical external gravitational field. The broad scope of the material covered will provide the reader with a thorough perspective of the subject. Every major result is derived from first principles and thoroughly explained. The book is self-contained and assumes only a basic knowledge of general relativity. Exercises with detailed solutions are provided throughout the book.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2007
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January 1, 2022
Mukhanov and Winitzki give an excellent introduction to semi-classical quantum gravity. The first part of the book provides a short introduction to the Unruh effect and Hawking radiation starting from the very beginning, that is, field quantization and in-depth treatment of quantum harmonic oscillator. The second part of the work is a detailed discussion of the effective action in an external gravitational field and vacuum polarization.
The general impression from going through the complete derivations of the main results and reading the physical explanations hiding behind the equations was very positive. Winitzki is famous for his rigorous handling of maths formulas, and it generated good results in this particular case, making all the intermediate steps self-explanatory. The reading of the second part was slightly more gruelling because of the amount of maths involved, but sometimes it is the only way to get the final result.
One of the best features of this textbook is the presence of the mathematical appendix discussing all the required knowledge of Green's functions, gamma functions etc., and the complete solutions to all the exercises. These ingredients make this book ideal for self-study, almost eliminating your stress and frustration, which are so common when you try to understand something very obscure without any help from outside.
A great book to start your journey into the world of quantum gravity and its effects on the Universe as we know it! )
The general impression from going through the complete derivations of the main results and reading the physical explanations hiding behind the equations was very positive. Winitzki is famous for his rigorous handling of maths formulas, and it generated good results in this particular case, making all the intermediate steps self-explanatory. The reading of the second part was slightly more gruelling because of the amount of maths involved, but sometimes it is the only way to get the final result.
One of the best features of this textbook is the presence of the mathematical appendix discussing all the required knowledge of Green's functions, gamma functions etc., and the complete solutions to all the exercises. These ingredients make this book ideal for self-study, almost eliminating your stress and frustration, which are so common when you try to understand something very obscure without any help from outside.
A great book to start your journey into the world of quantum gravity and its effects on the Universe as we know it! )
Displaying 1 of 1 review