Ground state representations of loop algebras

Let g be a simple Lie algebra, Lg be the loop algebra of g. Fixing a point in S^1 and identifying the real line with the punctured circle, we consider the subalgebra Sg of Lg of rapidly decreasing elements on R. We classify the translation-invariant 2-cocycles on Sg. We show that the ground state representation of Sg is unique for each cocycle. These ground states correspond precisely to the vacuum representations of Lg.Comment: 22 pages, no figur

How to remove the boundary in CFT - an operator algebraic procedure

The relation between two-dimensional conformal quantum field theories with and without a timelike boundary is explored.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures. v2: more precise title, reference correcte

From Operator Algebras to Superconformal Field Theory

We make a review on the recent progress in the operator algebraic approach to (super)conformal field theory. We discuss representation theory, classification results, full and boundary conformal field theories, relations to supervertex operator algebras and Moonshine, connections to subfactor theory and noncommutative geometry

Noninteraction of waves in two-dimensional conformal field theory

In higher dimensional quantum field theory, irreducible representations of the Poincare group are associated with particles. Their counterpart in two-dimensional massless models are "waves" introduced by Buchholz. In this paper we show that waves do not interact in two-dimensional Moebius covariant theories and in- and out-asymptotic fields coincide. We identify the set of the collision states of waves with the subspace generated by the chiral components of the Moebius covariant net from the vacuum. It is also shown that Bisognano-Wichmann property, dilation covariance and asymptotic completeness (with respect to waves) imply Moebius symmetry. Under natural assumptions, we observe that the maps which give asymptotic fields in Poincare covariant theory are conditional expectations between appropriate algebras. We show that a two-dimensional massless theory is asymptotically complete and noninteracting if and only if it is a chiral Moebius covariant theory.Comment: 28 pages, no figur

Thermal States in Conformal QFT. II

We continue the analysis of the set of locally normal KMS states w.r.t. the translation group for a local conformal net A of von Neumann algebras on the real line. In the first part we have proved the uniqueness of KMS state on every completely rational net. In this second part, we exhibit several (non-rational) conformal nets which admit continuously many primary KMS states. We give a complete classification of the KMS states on the U(1)-current net and on the Virasoro net Vir_1 with the central charge c=1, whilst for the Virasoro net Vir_c with c>1 we exhibit a (possibly incomplete) list of continuously many primary KMS states. To this end, we provide a variation of the Araki-Haag-Kastler-Takesaki theorem within the locally normal system framework: if there is an inclusion of split nets A in B and A is the fixed point of B w.r.t. a compact gauge group, then any locally normal, primary KMS state on A extends to a locally normal, primary state on B, KMS w.r.t. a perturbed translation. Concerning the non-local case, we show that the free Fermi model admits a unique KMS state.Comment: 36 pages, no figure. Dedicated to Rudolf Haag on the occasion of his 90th birthday. The final version is available under Open Access. This paper contains corrections to the Araki-Haag-Kaster-Takesaki theorem (and to a proof of the same theorem in the book by Bratteli-Robinson). v3: a reference correcte

Algebraic conformal quantum field theory in perspective

Conformal quantum field theory is reviewed in the perspective of Axiomatic, notably Algebraic QFT. This theory is particularly developped in two spacetime dimensions, where many rigorous constructions are possible, as well as some complete classifications. The structural insights, analytical methods and constructive tools are expected to be useful also for four-dimensional QFT.Comment: Review paper, 40 pages. v2: minor changes and references added, so as to match published versio

Super-KMS functionals for graded-local conformal nets

Motivated by a few preceding papers and a question of R. Longo, we introduce super-KMS functionals for graded translation-covariant nets over R with superderivations, roughly speaking as a certain supersymmetric modification of classical KMS states on translation-covariant nets over R, fundamental objects in chiral algebraic quantum field theory. Although we are able to make a few statements concerning their general structure, most properties will be studied in the setting of specific graded-local (super-) conformal models. In particular, we provide a constructive existence and partial uniqueness proof of super-KMS functionals for the supersymmetric free field, for certain subnets, and for the super-Virasoro net with central charge c>= 3/2. Moreover, as a separate result, we classify bounded super-KMS functionals for graded-local conformal nets over S^1 with respect to rotations.Comment: 30 pages, revised version (to appear in Ann. H. Poincare

Asymptotic completeness for infraparticles in two-dimensional conformal field theory

We formulate a new concept of asymptotic completeness for two-dimensional massless quantum field theories in the spirit of the theory of particle weights. We show that this concept is more general than the standard particle interpretation based on Buchholz' scattering theory of waves. In particular, it holds in any chiral conformal field theory in an irreducible product representation and in any completely rational conformal field theory. This class contains theories of infraparticles to which the scattering theory of waves does not apply.Comment: 17 pages, no figur

An algebraic Haag's theorem

Under natural conditions (such as split property and geometric modular action of wedge algebras) it is shown that the unitary equivalence class of the net of local (von Neumann) algebras in the vacuum sector associated to double cones with bases on a fixed space-like hyperplane completely determines an algebraic QFT model. More precisely, if for two models there is unitary connecting all of these algebras, then --- without assuming that this unitary also connects their respective vacuum states or spacetime symmetry representations --- it follows that the two models are equivalent. This result might be viewed as an algebraic version of the celebrated theorem of Rudolf Haag about problems regarding the so-called "interaction-picture" in QFT. Original motivation of the author for finding such an algebraic version came from conformal chiral QFT. Both the chiral case as well as a related conjecture about standard half-sided modular inclusions will be also discussed