Modular localization and Wigner particles

We propose a framework for the free field construction of algebras of local observables which uses as an input the Bisognano-Wichmann relations and a representation of the Poincare' group on the one-particle Hilbert space. The abstract real Hilbert subspace version of the Tomita-Takesaki theory enables us to bypass some limitations of the Wigner formalism by introducing an intrinsic spacetime localization. Our approach works also for continuous spin representations to which we associate a net of von Neumann algebras on spacelike cones with the Reeh-Schlieder property. The positivity of the energy in the representation turns out to be equivalent to the isotony of the net, in the spirit of Borchers theorem. Our procedure extends to other spacetimes homogeneous under a group of geometric transformations as in the case of conformal symmetries and de Sitter spacetime.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX. Some errors have been corrected. To appear on Rev. Math. Phy

Geometric modular action for disjoint intervals and boundary conformal field theory

In suitable states, the modular group of local algebras associated with unions of disjoint intervals in chiral conformal quantum field theory acts geometrically. We translate this result into the setting of boundary conformal QFT and interpret it as a relation between temperature and acceleration. We also discuss aspects ("mixing" and "charge splitting") of geometric modular action for unions of disjoint intervals in the vacuum state.Comment: Dedicated to John E. Roberts on the occasion of his 70th birthday; 24 pages, 3 figure