Stability and instability of scalar fields coupled to gravity

Q. Han Park, L. F. Abbott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We relate the stability criteria of Boucher for a scalar field coupled to gravity to the semi-classical tunnelling calculations of Coleman and DeLuccia. This enables us to prove that the Boucher conditions imply both stability when they are satisfied and instability when they are not. In addition, it provides physical insight into the nature of the Boucher conditions and indicates that the O(4)-invariant, thin-wall approximation used in semi-classical tunnelling computations is reliable.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)223-225
Number of pages3
JournalPhysics Letters B
Volume171
Issue number2-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1986 Apr 24
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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