Role of quantum fluctuations in a system with strong fields

Abstract

In this work we study how quantum fluctuations modify the quantum evolution of an initially classical field theory. We consider a scalar $\phi^4$ theory coupled to an external source as a toy model for the Color Glass Condensate description of the early time dynamics of heavy-ion collisions. We demonstrate that quantum fluctuations considerably modify the time evolution driving the system to evolve in accordance with ideal hydrodynamics. We attempt to understand the mechanism behind this relaxation to ideal hydrodynamics by using modified initial spectra and studying the particle content of the theory.