Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2026 / iii / Paper 311 / 3 / c / i / Solution

Let ${\Sigma }_t$ be a Cauchy hypersurface with induced metric $h_{ij}$, lapse $N$, shift $N^i$, and future unit normal $n^a$. For the normalization of the action in the question, the canonical momentum density isThe equal-time canonical commutation relations areandWith the conventional extra factor $1/2$ in the action, $\Pi$ loses the factor two.

For complex classical solutions, the Klein-Gordon inner product isThe integrand is a conserved current because both fields obey the Klein-Gordon equation. Applying the divergence theorem between two Cauchy hypersurfaces shows that the value is independent of the foliation, provided there is no boundary flux.