Abstract. We give a relativistically covariant, wave-functional formulation of Bohm's quantum field theory for the scalar field based on a general foliation of spacetime by space-like hypersurfaces. The wave functional, which guides the evolution of the field, is spacetime-foliation independent but the field itself is not. Hence, in order to have a theory in which the field may be considered a beable, some extra rule must be given to determine the foliation. We suggest one such rule based on the eigenvectors of the energy–momentum tensor of the field itself.

PACS numbers: 03.65.−w, 03.70.+k

Print publication: Issue 49 (10 December 2004)
Received 19 May 2004, in final form 22 October 2004
Published 24 November 2004