Thermal radiation in non-static curved spacetimes: quantum mechanical path integrals and configuration space topology

TL;DR

This paper derives a quantum path integral approach to thermal propagators in dynamic curved spacetimes, linking topology of configuration space to black hole thermal emission.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum mechanical path integral derivation for thermal propagators in non-static spacetimes, emphasizing the role of topology in configuration space.

Findings

Thermal propagator derived using path integrals in non-static curved spacetime.

Homotopically non-trivial paths relate to the thermal nature of the propagator.

Discussion connects the formalism to black hole thermal emission phenomena.

Abstract

A quantum mechanical path integral derivation is given of a thermal propagator in non-static Gui spacetime. The thermal nature of the propagator is understood in terms of homotopically non-trivial paths in the configuration space appropriate to tortoise coordinates. The connection to thermal emission from collapsing black holes is discussed.