Wavefront sets in algebraic quantum field theory

The investigation of wavefront sets of n-point distributions in quantum field theory has recently acquired some attention stimulated by results obtained with the help of concepts from microlocal analysis in quantum field theory in curved spacetime. In the present paper, the notion of wavefront set of a distribution is generalized so as to be applicable to states and linear functionals on nets of operator algebras carrying a covariant action of the translation group in arbitrary dimension. In the case where one is given a quantum field theory in the operator algebraic framework, this generalized notion of wavefront set, called "asymptotic correlation spectrum", is further investigated and several of its properties for physical states are derived. We also investigate the connection between the asymptotic correlation spectrum of a physical state and the wavefront sets of the corresponding Wightman distributions if there is a Wightman field affiliated to the local operator algebras. Finally we present a new result (generalizing known facts) which shows that certain spacetime points must be contained in the singular supports of the 2n-point distributions of a non-trivial Wightman field.Comment: 34 pages, LaTex2

A spin-statistics theorem for quantum fields on curved spacetime manifolds in a generally covariant framework

A model-independent, locally generally covariant formulation of quantum field theory over four-dimensional, globally hyperbolic spacetimes will be given which generalizes similar, previous approaches. Here, a generally covariant quantum field theory is an assignment of quantum fields to globally hyperbolic spacetimes with spin-structure where each quantum field propagates on the spacetime to which it is assigned. Imposing very natural conditions such as local general covariance, existence of a causal dynamical law, fixed spinor- or tensor-type for all quantum fields of the theory, and that the quantum field on Minkowski spacetime satisfies the usual conditions, it will be shown that a spin-statistics theorem hols: If for some spacetimes the corresponding quantum field obeys the "wrong" connection between spin and statistics, then all quantum fields of the theory, on each spacetime, are trivial.Comment: latex2e, 1 figure, 32 page

Scaling Algebras and Renormalization Group in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory

For any given algebra of local observables in Minkowski space an associated scaling algebra is constructed on which renormalization group (scaling) transformations act in a canonical manner. The method can be carried over to arbitrary spacetime manifolds and provides a framework for the systematic analysis of the short distance properties of local quantum field theories. It is shown that every theory has a (possibly non-unique) scaling limit which can be classified according to its classical or quantum nature. Dilation invariant theories are stable under the action of the renormalization group. Within this framework the problem of wedge (Bisognano-Wichmann) duality in the scaling limit is discussed and some of its physical implications are outlined.Comment: 47 pages, no figures, ams-late

Passivity and microlocal spectrum condition

In the setting of vector-valued quantum fields obeying a linear wave-equation in a globally hyperbolic, stationary spacetime, it is shown that the two-point functions of passive quantum states (mixtures of ground- or KMS-states) fulfill the microlocal spectrum condition (which in the case of the canonically quantized scalar field is equivalent to saying that the two-point function is of Hadamard form). The fields can be of bosonic or fermionic character. We also give an abstract version of this result by showing that passive states of a topological *-dynamical system have an asymptotic pair correlation spectrum of a specific type.Comment: latex2e, 29 pages. Change in references, typos remove

Linear hyperbolic PDEs with non-commutative time

Motivated by wave or Dirac equations on noncommutative deformations of Minkowski space, linear integro-differential equations of the form $(D+\lambda W)f=0$ are studied, where $D$ is a normal or prenormal hyperbolic differential operator on ${\mathbb R}^n$, $\lambda\in\mathbb C$ is a coupling constant, and $W$ is a regular integral operator with compactly supported kernel. In particular, $W$ can be non-local in time, so that a Hamiltonian formulation is not possible. It is shown that for sufficiently small $|\lambda|$, the hyperbolic character of $D$ is essentially preserved. Unique advanced/retarded fundamental solutions are constructed by means of a convergent expansion in $\lambda$, and the solution spaces are analyzed. It is shown that the acausal behavior of the solutions is well-controlled, but the Cauchy problem is ill-posed in general. Nonetheless, a scattering operator can be calculated which describes the effect of $W$ on the space of solutions of $D$. It is also described how these structures occur in the context of noncommutative Minkowski space, and how the results obtained here can be used for the analysis of classical and quantum field theories on such spaces.Comment: 33 pages, 5 figures. V2: Slight reformulation

Explicit harmonic and spectral analysis in Bianchi I-VII type cosmologies

The solvable Bianchi I-VII groups which arise as homogeneity groups in cosmological models are analyzed in a uniform manner. The dual spaces (the equivalence classes of unitary irreducible representations) of these groups are computed explicitly. It is shown how parameterizations of the dual spaces can be chosen to obtain explicit Plancherel formulas. The Laplace operator $\Delta$ arising from an arbitrary left invariant Riemannian metric on the group is considered, and its spectrum and eigenfunctions are given explicitly in terms of that metric. The spectral Fourier transform is given by means of the eigenfunction expansion of $\Delta$. The adjoint action of the group automorphisms on the dual spaces is considered. It is shown that Bianchi I-VII type cosmological spacetimes are well suited for mode decomposition. The example of the mode decomposed Klein-Gordon field on these spacetimes is demonstrated as an application.Comment: References added and some changes in the introduction. This new version appears in Classical and Quantum Gravit