title: Dissipation, noise, and vacuum decay in quantum field theory.
abstract: We study the process of vacuum decay in quantum field theory focusing on the stochastic aspects of the interaction between long- and short-wavelength modes. This interaction results in a diffusive behavior of the reduced Wigner function describing the state of long-wavelength modes, and thereby to a finite activation rate even at zero temperature. This effect can make a substantial contribution to the total decay rate.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calzetta
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roura
authors.forename: Enric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verdaguer