Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: We derive the finite-temperature quantum-tunneling rate from first principles. The tunneling rate depends on both temperature and time. We demonstrate that the relevant instantons should, therefore, be defined on a Keldysh-Schwinger contour, and we discuss how the familiar Euclidean time result arises from the limit of large physical times. We identify distinct behavior in the high- and low-temperature limits, incorporating effects from background fields. We construct a consistent perturbative scheme that incorporates large finite-temperature effects. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4405892103