%0 Journal Article
%T The Boltzmann Equation from Quantum Field Theory
%A Marco Drewes
%A Sebastian Mendizabal
%A Christoph Weniger
%J Physics
%D 2012
%I arXiv
%R 10.1016/j.physletb.2012.11.046
%X We show from first principles the emergence of classical Boltzmann equations from relativistic nonequilibrium quantum field theory as described by the Kadanoff-Baym equations. Our method applies to a generic quantum field, coupled to a collection of background fields and sources, in a homogeneous and isotropic spacetime. The analysis is based on analytical solutions to the full Kadanoff-Baym equations, using the WKB approximation. This is in contrast to previous derivations of kinetic equations that rely on similar physical assumptions, but obtain approximate equations of motion from a gradient expansion in momentum space. We show that the system follows a generalized Boltzmann equation whenever the WKB approximation holds. The generalized Boltzmann equation, which includes off-shell transport, is valid far from equilibrium and in a time dependent background, such as the expanding universe.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.1301v2