The subject of quantum field theory in curved spacetime, as an approximation to an as yet inaccessible theory of quantum gravity, has grown tremendously in importance during the last decade. In this book we have attempted to collect and unify the vast number of papers that have contributed to the rapid development of this area. The book also contains some original material, especially in connection with particle detector models and adiabatic states.

The treatment is intended to be both pedagogical and archival. We assume no previous acquaintance with the subject, but the reader should preferably be familiar with basic quantum field theory at the level of Bjorken & Drell (1965) and with general relativity at the level of Weinberg (1972) or Misner, Thorne & Wheeler (1973). The theory is developed from basics, and many technical expressions are listed for the first time in one place. The reader's attention is drawn to the list of conventions and abbreviations on page ix, and the extensive references and bibliography.

In preparing this book we have drawn upon the material of a very large number of authors. In adapting certain published material (including that of the authors) we have gratuitously made what we consider to be corrections, occasionally without explicitly warning the reader that our use of that material differs from the original publications.