Quantum inequalities on the energy density in static Robertson-Walker spacetimes

Michael J. Pfenning and L. H. Ford
Phys. Rev. D 55, 4813 – Published 15 April 1997
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Abstract

Quantum-inequality restrictions on the stress-energy tensor for negative energy are developed for three- and four-dimensional static spacetimes. We derive a general inequality in terms of a sum of mode functions which constrains the magnitude and duration of negative energy seen by an observer at rest in a static spacetime. This inequality is evaluated explicitly for a minimally coupled scalar field in three- and four-dimensional static Robertson-Walker universes. In the limit of vanishing curvature, the flat spacetime inequalities are recovered. More generally, these inequalities contain the effects of spacetime curvature. In the limit of short sampling times, they take the flat space form plus subdominant curvature-dependent corrections.

  • Received 2 August 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.55.4813

©1997 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Michael J. Pfenning and L. H. Ford

  • Institute of Cosmology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155

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Vol. 55, Iss. 8 — 15 April 1997

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