Quantum Field Theory in a Topology Changing Universe

TL;DR

This paper develops a method for quantizing matter fields in a universe where topology changes, using Euclidean continuation and Wick rotation to define a consistent quantum framework.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to quantum field theory in topology-changing spacetimes by employing Euclidean quantization and Liouville-Neumann methods.

Findings

Derived a non-unitary Schrödinger equation in Euclidean regions

Quantized Euclidean geometry to obtain quantum states

Linked Euclidean solutions to finite temperature states in Lorentzian spacetime

Abstract

We propose a method to construct quantum theory of matter fields in a topology changing universe. Analytic continuation of the semiclassical gravity of a Lorentzian geometry leads to a non-unitary Schr\"{o}dinger equation in a Euclidean region of spacetime, which does not have a direct interpretation of quantum theory of the Minkowski spacetime. In this Euclidean region we quantize the Euclidean geometry, derive the time-dependent Schr\"{o}dinger equation and find the quantum states using the Liouville-Neumann method. The Wick rotation of these quantum states provides the correct Hilbert space of matter field in the Euclidean region of the Lorentzian geometry. It is found that the direct quantization of a scalar field in the Lorentzian geometry involves an unusual commutation rule in the Euclidean region. Finally we discuss the interpretation of the periodic solution of the semiclassical gravity equation in the Euclidean geometry as a finite temperature solution for the gravity-matter system in the Lorentzian geometry.