Time transients in the quantum corrected Newtonian potential induced by a massless nonminimally coupled scalar field

TL;DR

This paper computes the time-dependent quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential caused by a massless, nonminimally coupled scalar field using the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism, revealing transient effects in a Minkowski background.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism to study time transients in quantum gravitational corrections to the Newtonian potential.

Findings

Identifies time-dependent transients in quantum corrections

Calculates leading quantum correction to Newtonian potential

Demonstrates the use of Schwinger-Keldysh formalism for dynamical phenomena

Abstract

We calculate the one loop graviton vacuum polarization induced by a massless, nonminimally coupled scalar field on Minkowski background. We make use of the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism, which allows us to study time dependent phenomena. As an application we compute the leading quantum correction to the Newtonian potential of a point particle. The novel aspect of the calculation is the use of the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism, within which we calculate the time transients induced by switching on of the graviton-scalar coupling.