QsimFP FVD Seminar by Laura Batini “Real-time dynamics of false vacuum decay”

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QSimFP Seminar (False Vacuum Decay Theme) by Laura Batini from Heidelberg University (Germany) (Recorded on 6th February 2024 -Bio & Abstract below).
The Quantum Simulator for Fundamental Physics (QSimFP) consortium, including 15 investigators from 7 UK Research Organisations and 5 International Partners was formed in 2018-2020. Funding through the Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics initiative started in November 2020 with the project duration of 3 years and 5 months. Our programme unites the quantum-technology and fundamental-physics communities, with leading scientists from both camps now working together and focusing on common goals. qsimfp.org/
BIOSKETCH: Laura Batini is a PhD student at the Heidelberg University. She studies under Prof. Dr. Jürgen Berges and she is presenting this paper on his behalf. Prior to starting her PhD in 2021, she completed a B.Sc. in Physics at the University of Milan in 2018, as well as a M.Sc. at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at Heidelberg University in 2021. Laura's research interests are Dynamical instabilities, dynamical critical phenomena, functional renormalisation group, ultracold atoms.
ABSTRACT: False vacuum decay is a well-defined initial value problem in (real) time, in which the system starts from a metastable state that eventually decays and thermalizes due to fluctuations. It can be formulated in non-equilibrium quantum field theory on a closed time path and studied using correlation functions. We simulate the dynamics of a relativistic scalar field by classical-statistical field theory on a lattice in the high-temperature regime. In general, we find that the decay rates depend on time. Furthermore, we show that the decay rates in real time are comparable to those obtained by the conventional Euclidean (bounce) approach in the presence of a time-dependent effective potential. Finally, we show how quantum corrections to the equations of motion of the one- and two-point correlation functions can lead to transitions that are not captured by the statistical-classical approximations.