The Problem of Time

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leemon B. McHenry
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Quantum Field Theory ◽  
General Relativity ◽  
Relativistic Quantum ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Problem Of Time ◽  
Growing Block ◽  
Growing Block Theory ◽  
Broad Outline ◽  
Block Universe

This chapter examines the problem of time with regard to the unification of general relativity and quantum mechanics and advances in broad outline one direction that this unification might potentially follow, namely, a version of Broad’s growing block universe consistent with Whitehead’s late metaphysics and relativistic quantum field theory. The theories of time – eternalism, presentism and the growing block theory – are discussed in connection with three and four dimensional views of reality.

Quantum mechanics

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kachelriess
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Quantum Field Theory ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Relativistic Quantum ◽  
Transition Amplitude ◽  
External Source ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Damping Term ◽  
Relativistic Quantum Theory ◽  
Generating Functional

After a brief review of the operator approach to quantum mechanics, Feynmans path integral, which expresses a transition amplitude as a sum over all paths, is derived. Adding a linear coupling to an external source J and a damping term to the Lagrangian, the ground-state persistence amplitude is obtained. This quantity serves as the generating functional Z[J] for n-point Green functions which are the main target when studying quantum field theory. Then the harmonic oscillator as an example for a one-dimensional quantum field theory is discussed and the reason why a relativistic quantum theory should be based on quantum fields is explained.

Propagators and commutators in general relativity

1962 ◽  
Vol 270 (1342) ◽  
pp. 342-345 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Quantum Field Theory ◽  
General Relativity ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
General Relativity Theory ◽  
Free Fields

In this contribution, my purpose is to study a new mathematical instrument introduced by me in 1958-9: the tensor and spinor propagators. These propagators are extensions of the scalar propagator of Jordan-Pauli which plays an important part in quantum-field theory. It is possible to construct, with these propagators, commutators and anticommutators for the various free fields, in the framework of general relativity theory (see Lichnerowicz 1959 a, b, c , 1960, 1961 a, b, c ; and for an independent introduction of propagators DeWitt & Brehme 1960).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document