Finite temperature field theory with boundaries: Stress tensor and surface action renormalisation

The local stress tensor is calculated for a scalar field at finite temperature in a static spacetime with boundaries. Results exact in the temperature are obtained which in the zero temperature limit exhibit known non-integrable divergences as the boundary is approached. Renormalisation of bare surf...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of physics 1980-04, Vol.125 (2), p.346-400
Main Authors: Kennedy, Gerard, Critchley, Raymond, Dowker, J.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The local stress tensor is calculated for a scalar field at finite temperature in a static spacetime with boundaries. Results exact in the temperature are obtained which in the zero temperature limit exhibit known non-integrable divergences as the boundary is approached. Renormalisation of bare surface gravitational actions produces a delta function behaviour in the energy density on the boundary which exactly cancels the local divergences, thereby rendering finite the total renormalised energy in a cavity. The role played by boundary contributions to the integrated quantum mechanical propogator for a finite system is emphasised.
ISSN:0003-4916
1096-035X
DOI:10.1016/0003-4916(80)90138-4