Conformal anomaly for free scalar propagation on curved bounded manifolds

The trace anomaly for free propagation in the context of a conformally invariant scalar field theory defined on a curved manifold of positive constant curvature with boundary is evaluated through use of an asymptotic heat kernel expansion. In addition to their direct physical significance the results are also of relevance to the holographic principle and to Quantum Cosmology.Astronomy & AstrophysicsPhysics, MultidisciplinaryPhysics, Particles & FieldsSCI(E)1LETTER2399-4063