Real-time quantum field theory at finite temperature in an inhomogeneous media

Abstract

The method of the real time perturbative calculations of nonequilibrium averages is generalised to the case of varying chemical potential. Calculations are performed in the frame of Zubarev's nonequilibrium density matrix approach. In this approach perturbations of temperature and other thermodynamical parameters are taken into account explicitly including nonlinear terms. It differs from the Schwinger-Keldysh approach through the choice of more general initial conditions for the density matrix.