Effective field equations with stochastic initial conditions

Abstract

The evolution of quantum field expectation values from an initial non-equilibrium quantum state can be followed numerically using the Truncated Wigner technique. It can track non-perturbative quantum phenomena, such as false vacuum decay, in real time with promising results. Nevertheless, it is an approximate method subject to quantum loop corrections. The extension of Truncated Wigner into a fully fledged effective field equation approach is discussed here, including corrections from higher loops and higher momenta.