This is the first introductory textbook on quantum field theory ingravitational backgrounds intended for undergraduate and beginning graduatestudents in the fie... » 

This is the first introductory textbook on quantum field theory ingravitational backgrounds intended for undergraduate and beginning graduatestudents in the fields of theoretical astrophysics cosmology particlephysics and string theory. The book covers the basic but essential materialof quantization of fields in an expanding universe and quantum fluctuations ininflationary spacetime. It also contains a detailed explanation of the CasimirUnruh and Hawking effects and introduces the method of effective action usedfor calculating the backreaction of quantum systems on a classical externalgravitational field. The broad scope of the material covered will provide thereader with a thorough perspective of the subject. Every major result isderived from first principles and thoroughly explained. The book is selfcontained and assumes only a basic knowledge of general relativity. Exerciseswith detailed solutions are provided throughout the book. «