First principles quantization of a non-conservative scalar field

Abstract We present the first-principles quantization of a damped scalar field within the framework of classical action principle of non-conservative systems using doubled dynamical variables. We consider a non-conservative potential term constructed to describe a linear damping of the scalar field for quantization using canonical and path-integral formalisms, and derive the two-point Green’s function along with the spectral function, which are consistent with known results from the well-known in-in formalism.