The Boltzmann equation from quantum field theory

  • 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.

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Metadaten
Author:Marco DrewesORCiDGND, Sebastián MendizabalORCiDGND, Christoph WenigerORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-769238
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2012.11.046
ISSN:0370-2693
Parent Title (English):Physics Letters B
Publisher:Elsevier
Place of publication:Amsterdam
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2012/11/29
Date of first Publication:2012/11/29
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2023/10/05
Volume:718.2013
Issue:3
Page Number:6
First Page:1119
Last Page:1124
HeBIS-PPN:513572201
Institutes:Physik
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 53 Physik / 530 Physik
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY - Namensnennung 4.0 International