The eigenmodes for spinor quantum field theory in global de Sitter space-time

Abstract

The mode solutions of the Dirac equation on $N$-dimensional de Sitter space-time ($dS_{N}$) with $(N-1)$-sphere spatial sections are obtained by analytically continuing the spinor eigenfunctions of the Dirac operator on the $N$-sphere ($S^{N}$). The analogs of flat space-time positive frequency modes are identified and a vacuum is defined. The transformation properties of the mode solutions under the de Sitter group double cover (Spin($N$,1)) are studied. We reproduce the expression for the massless spinor Wightman two-point function in closed form using the mode-sum method. By using this closed-form expression and taking advantage of the maximal symmetry of $dS_{N}$ we find an analytic expression for the spinor parallel propagator. The latter is used to construct the massive Wightman two-point function in closed form.