Hadamard states on spherically symmetric characteristic surfaces, the semi-classical Einstein equations and the Hawking effect

Abstract: We investigate quasi-free Hadamard states defined via characteristic initial data on null cones centred at the axis of symmetry in spherically symmetric space-times. We characterize the necessary singular behaviour of null boundary two-point functions such that one can define non-linear observables at this null boundary and give formulas for the calculation of these observables. These results extend earlier characterizations of null boundary states defining Hadamard states in the bulk of the null cone. As an application of our derived formulas, we consider their implications for the semi-classical Einstein equations and calculate the vacuum polarization associated with Hawking radiation near a collapsing body.