Operator product expansion algebra

We establish conceptually important properties of the operator product expansion (OPE) in the context of perturbative, Euclidean $\varphi^{4}$-quantum field theory. First, we demonstrate, generalizing earlier results and techniques of arXiv:1105.3375, that the 3-point OPE, $< O_{A_1} O_{A_2} O_{A_3} > = \sum_{C} \cal{C}_{A_1 A_2 A_3}^{C}$, usually interpreted only as an asymptotic short distance expansion, actually converges at finite, and even large, distances. We further show that the factorization identity $\cal{C}_{A_1 A_2 A_3}^{B}=\sum_{C}\cal{C}_{A_1 A_2}^{C} \cal{C}_{C A_3}^{B}$ is satisfied for suitable configurations of the spacetime arguments. Again, the infinite sum is shown to be convergent. Our proofs rely on explicit bounds on the remainders of these expansions, obtained using refined versions, mostly due to Kopper et al., of the renormalization group flow equation method. These bounds also establish that each OPE coefficient is a real analytic function in the spacetime arguments for non-coinciding points. Our results hold for arbitrary but finite loop orders. They lend support to proposals for a general axiomatic framework of quantum field theory, based on such `consistency conditions' and akin to vertex operator algebras, wherein the OPE is promoted to the defining structure of the theory.Comment: 53 pages, v2: typos removed, minor corrections, v3: typos removed, minor changes in introduction, v4: Note added in proo

Operator product expansion and analyticity

We discuss the current use of the operator product expansion in QCD calculations. Treating the OPE as an expansion in inverse powers of an energy-squared variable (with possible exponential terms added), approximating the vacuum expectation value of the operator product by several terms and assuming a bound on the remainder along the euclidean region, we observe how the bound varies with increasing deflection from the euclidean ray down to the cut (Minkowski region). We argue that the assumption that the remainder is constant for all angles in the cut complex plane is not justified. Making specific assumptions on the properties of the expanded function, we obtain bounds on the remainder in explicit form and show that they are very sensitive both to the deflection angle and to the class of functions chosen. The results obtained are discussed in connetcion with calculations of the coupling constant \alpha_{s} from the \tau decay.Comment: Preprint PRA-HEP 99/04, 20 page

The Lorentz Anomaly via Operator Product Expansion

The emergence of a critical dimension is one of the most striking features of string theory. One way to obtain it is by demanding closure of the Lorentz algebra in the light-cone gauge quantisation, as discovered for bosonic strings more than fourty years ago. We give a detailed derivation of this classical result based on the operator product expansion on the Lorentzian world-sheet

The operator product expansion on the lattice

We investigate the Operator Product Expansion (OPE) on the lattice by directly measuring the product (where J is the vector current) and comparing it with the expectation values of bilinear operators. This will determine the Wilson coefficients in the OPE from lattice data, and so give an alternative to the conventional methods of renormalising lattice structure function calculations. It could also give us access to higher twist quantities such as the longitudinal structure function F_L = F_2 - 2 x F_1. We use overlap fermions because of their improved chiral properties, which reduces the number of possible operator mixing coefficients.Comment: 7 pages, 4 postscript figures. Contribution to Lattice 2007, Regensbur