Asymptotically abelian systems

We study pairs { , } for which is aC*-algebra and is a homomorphism of a locally compact, non-compact groupG into the group of *-automorphisms of . We examine, especially, those systems { , } which are (weakly) asymptotically abelian with respect to their invariant states (i.e. |A _g (B) — _g (B)A 0 asg for those states such that ( _g (A)) = (A) for allg inG andA in ). For concrete systems (those with -acting on a Hilbert space andg _g implemented by a unitary representationg U _g on this space) we prove, among other results, that the operators commuting with and {U _g } form a commuting family when there is a vector cyclic under and invariant under {U _g }. We characterize the extremal invariant states, in this case, in terms of weak clustering properties and also in terms of factor and irreducibility properties of { ,U _g }. Specializing to amenable groups, we describe operator means arising from invariant group means; and we study systems which are asymptotically abelian in mean. Our interest in these structures resides in their appearance in the infinite system approach to quantum statistical mechanics.     

Derivations and automorphisms of operator algebras

The theorem that each derivation of aC*-algebra extends to an inner derivation of the weak-operator closure ( )^– of in each faithful representation of is proved in sketch and used to study the automorphism group of in its norm topology. It is proved that the connected component of the identity in this group contains the open ball of radius 2 with centerl and that each automorphism in extends to an inner automorphism of ( )^–.Research conducted with the partial support of the NSF and ONR.     

Unbounded derivations commuting with compact group actions

Let be a closed * derivation in aC* algebra which commutes with an ergodic action of a compact group on . Then generates aC* dynamics of . Similar results are obtained for non-ergodic actions on abelianC* algebras and on the algebra of compact operators.Research supported by N.S.F.     

Symmetry and equilibrium states

Within the general framework ofC*-algebra approach to mathematical foundation of statistical mechanics, we prove a theorem which gives a natural explanation for the appearance of the chemical potential (as a thermodynamical parameter labelling equilibrium states) in the presence of a symmetry (under gauge transformations of the first kind). As a symmetry, we consider a compact abelian groupG acting as *-automorphisms of aC*-algebra (quasi-local field algebra) and commuting (elementwise) with the time translation automorphisms _t of . Under a technical assumption which is satisfied by examples of physical interest, we prove that the set of all extremal _t -KMS states (pure phases) ofG-fixed-point subalgebra (quasi-local observable algebra) of satisfying a certain faithfulness condition is in one-to-one correspondence with the set of all extremalG-invariant _t · _t -KMS states ^– of with varying over one-parameter subgroups ofG (the specification of being the specification of the chemical potential), where the correspondence is that the restriction of ^– to is .     

Ergodic states in a non commutative ergodic theory

Using the Godement mean of positive-type functions over a groupG, we study -abelian systems { , } of aC*-algebra and a homomorphic mapping of a groupG into the homomorphism group of . Consideration of the Godement mean off(g)U _g withf a positive-type function overG andU a unitary representation ofG first yields a generalized mean-ergodic theorem. We then define the Godement mean off(g) ( _g (A)) withA and a covariant representation of the system { , } for which theG-invariant Hilbert space vectors are cyclic and study its properties, notably in relation with ergodic and weakly mixing states over . Finally we investigate the discrete spectrum of covariant representations of { , } (i.e. the direct sum of the finite-dimensional subrepresentations of the associated representations ofG).On leave of absence from Istituto di Fisica G. Marconi Piazzale delle Scienze 5 — Roma.     

Target-space duality between simple compact Lie groups and Lie algebras under the Hamiltonian formalism: I. Remnants of duality at the classical level

It has been suggested that a possible classical remnant of the phenomenon of target-space duality (T-duality) would be the equivalence of the classical string Hamiltonian systems. Given a simple compact Lie groupG with a bi-invariant metric and a generating function suggested in the physics literature, we follow the above line of thought and work out the canonical transformation generated by together with an Ad-invariant metric and a B-field on the associated Lie algebra ofG so thatG and form a string target-space dual pair at the classical level under the Hamiltonian formalism. In this article, some general features of this Hamiltonian setting are discussed. We study properties of the canonical transformation including a careful analysis of its domain and image. The geometry of the T-dual structure on is lightly touched. We leave the task of tracing back the Hamiltonian formalism at the quantum level to the sequel of this paper.     

On the purification of factor states

Let be aC*-algebra and be an opposite algebra. Notions of exact andj-positive states of are introduced. It is shown, that any factor state of can be extended to a pure exactj-positive state of . The correspondence generalizes the notion of the purifications map introduced by Powers and Størmer. The factor states ₁ and ₂ are quasi-equivalent if and only if their purifications and are equivalent.     

Duality for free bose fields

An elementary proof of Araki's duality theorem for free fields is presented. The theorem says that for a certain class of regionsO in Minkowski space, the commutant of (O), the von Neumann algebra generated by all observables belonging to measurements withinO, is exactly (O), whereO is the spacelike separated complement ofO.Supported by the National Science Foundation under grants GP 24003, GP 30819X and GP 31239X.     

Algebras of observables with continuous representations of symmetry groups

Concrete C*-algebras, interpreted physically as algebras of observables, are defined for quantum mechanics and local quantum field theory.Aquantum mechanical system is characterized formally by a continuous unitary representation up to a factorU _g of a symmetry group in Hilbert space and a von Neumann algebra on invariant with respect toU _g . The set of all operatorsX such thatU _g X U _g ^–1 , as a function ofg , is continuous with respect to the uniform operator topology, is aC*-algebra called thealgebra of observables. The algebra is shown to be the weak (or strong) closure of .Infield theory, a unitary representation up to a factorU(a, ) of the proper inhomogeneous Lorentz group and local von Neumann algebras _C for finite open space-time regionsC are assumed, with the usual transformation properties of underU(a, ). The collection of allX_C giving uniformly continuous functionsU (a, )X U ^–1 (a, ) on is then a localC*-algebra , called thealgebra of local observables. The algebra is again weakly (or strongly) dense in _c . The norm-closed union of the for allC is calledalgebra of quasilocal observables (or quasilocal algebra).In either case, the group is represented by automorphisms V _g resp. V(a, ) — with V _g X=U _g X U _g ^–1 — of theC*-algebra , and this is astrongly continuous representation of on the Banach space . Conditions for V (a, ) can then be formulated which correspond to the usualspectrum condition forU (a, ) in field theory.Work supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Limiting behavior of asymptotically flat gravitational fields

Couch and Torrence suggest that the vacuum Einstein equations admit a larger class of asymptotically flat solutions than those exhibiting the peeling property. Starting with the assumption that , (d/dr) and (/x ^A ) , wherex ^A (A = 2, 3) are angular coordinates, they show that , where ₁ 2 and ₁<₀; , where ₂ 1 and ₁< ₁; and ₄ and ₃ peel as they would under the stronger peeling conditions. The Winicour-Tamburino energy-momentun and angular momentum integrals for these solutions, in general, diverge. In fact, since Couch and Torrence determine only the radial dependence of the solution, it is not clear that the solutions are well defined. We find that the stronger assumption , (d/dr) , and (/x ^A ) does result in well-defined solutions for which both the energy-momentum and angular momentum intergrals are not only finite but result in the same expressions as are obtained for peeling space-times. This assumption appears to be the minimal assumption that is necessary for investigating outgoing radiation at null infinity.In part based on a dissertation by Stephanie Novak and submitted to Syracuse University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Ph.D. degree.     

A spectral characterization of KMS states

Let be a state on aC*-dynamical system . For each of the following properties of : (1) is -K MS with respect to for some given , 0<+, (2) is either a KMS state or a ground state, necessary and sufficient conditions are given involving only the spectral subspaces of associated with . The results provide a new insight in the concept of passivity, introduced by W. Pusz and S. L. Woronowicz.Aangesteld navorser N.F.W.O., Belgium, on leave from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Research partially supported by N.A.T.O.     

Group duality and the Kubo-Martin Schwinger condition. II

Let be an invariant state of theC*-system { ,G, } on a locally compact noncommutative groupG. Assume further that is extremal -invariant for an action of an amenable groupH which is -asymptotically abelian and commutes with . Denoting byF _AB,G _AB the corresponding two point functions, we give criteria for the fulfillment of the KMS condition with respect to some one parameter subgroup of the center ofG based on the existence of a closable mapT such thatTF _AB=G _AB for allA,B . Closability is either inL (G),B(G) orC (G), according to clustering properties for . The basic mathematical technique is the duality theory for noncompact, noncommutative locally compact groups.This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Grant MCS 79-03041     

Minimal affinizations of representations of quantum groups: the irregular case

Let be a finite-dimensional complex simple Lie algebra and U_q( ) the associated quantum group (q is a nonzero complex number which we assume is transcendental). IfV is a finitedimensional irreducible representation of U_q( ), an affinization ofV is an irreducible representationVV of the quantum affine algebra U_q( ) which containsV with multiplicity one and is such that all other irreducible U_q( )-components ofV have highest weight strictly smaller than the highest weight ofV. There is a natural partial order on the set of U_q( ) classes of affinizations, and we look for the minimal one(s). In earlier papers, we showed that (i) if is of typeA, B, C, F orG, the minimal affinization is unique up to U_q( )-isomorphism; (ii) if is of typeD orE and is not orthogonal to the triple node of the Dynkin diagram of , there are either one or three minimal affinizations (depending on ). In this paper, we show, in contrast to the regular case, that if U_q( ) is of typeD ₄ and is orthogonal to the triple node, the number of minimal affinizations has no upper bound independent of .As a by-product of our methods, we disprove a conjecture according to which, if is of typeA _n,every affinization is isomorphic to a tensor product of representations of U_q( ) which are irreducible under U_q( ) (in an earlier paper, we proved this conjecture whenn=1).Both authors were partially supported by the NSF, DMS-9207701.     

Canonical quantization

The dynamical variables of a classical system form a Lie algebra , where the Lie multiplication is given by the Poisson bracket. Following the ideas ofSouriau andSegal, but with some modifications, we show that it is possible to realize as a concrete algebra of smooth transformations of the functionals on the manifold of smooth solutions to the classical equations of motion. It is even possible to do this in such a way that the action of a chosen dynamical variable, say the Hamiltonian, is given by the classical motion on the manifold, so that the quantum and classical motions coincide. In this realization, constant functionals are realized by multiples of the identity operator. For a finite number of degrees of freedom,n, the space of functionals can be made into a Hilbert space using the invariant Liouville volume element; the dynamical variablesF become operators in this space. We prove that for any hamiltonianH quadratic in the canonical variablesq ₁...q _n ,p ₁...p _n there exists a subspace ₁ which is invariant under the action of and , and such that the restriction of to ₁ form an irreducible set of operators. Therefore,Souriau's quantization rule agrees with the usual one for quadratic hamiltonians. In fact, it gives the Bargmann-Segal holomorphic function realization. For non-linear problems in general, however, the operators form a reducible set on any subspace of invariant under the action of the Hamiltonian. In particular this happens for . Therefore,Souriau's rule cannot agree with the usual quantization procedure for general non-linear systems.The method can be applied to the quantization of a non-linear wave equation and differs from the usual attempts in that (1) at any fixed time the field and its conjugate momentum may form a reducible set (2) the theory is less singular than usual.For a particular wave equation , we show heuristically that the interacting field may be defined as a first order differential operator acting onc -functions on the manifold of solutions. In order to make this space into a Hilbert space, one must define a suitable method of functional integration on the manifold; this problem is discussed, without, however, arriving at a satisfactory conclusion.On leave from Physics Department, Imperial College, London SW7.Work partly supported by the Office of Scientific Research, U.S. Air Force.     

Derivations vanishing onS(∞)

LetS() be the group of finite permutations on countably many symbols. We exhibit an embedding ofS() into a UHF-algebra of Glimm typen such that, if is a *-derivation vanishing onS() and satisfying °=0, where is the unique trace on , then admits an extension which is the generator of aC*-dynamics.Work supported in part by NSF     

Covariance algebras in field theory and statistical mechanics

Starting from aC*-algebra and a locally compact groupT of automorphisms of we construct a covariance algebra with the property that the corresponding *-representations are in one-to-one correspondence with covariant representations of i.e. *-representations of in which the automorphisms are continuously unitarily implemented. We further construct for relativistic field theory an algebra yielding the *-representations of in which the space time translations have their spectrum contained inV. The problem of denumerable occurence of superselection sectors is formulated as a condition on the spectrum of . Finally we consider the covariance algebra built with space translations alone and show its relevance for the discussion of equilibrium states in statistical mechanics, namely we restore in this framework the equivalence of uniqueness of the vacuum, irreducibility and a weak clustering property.On leave of absence from Istituto di Fisica G. Marconi — Roma.     

Scaling characteristics of ac conductivity and dielectric function in fractal regime of the metal-insulator transition

An analysis of the ac conductivity _ac(), and the ac dielectric constant, (), of the metal-insulator percolation systems is presented in the critical regime near the transition threshold. It is argued that the polarization and relaxation of the finite fractal metallic clusters play dominant roles in controlling the dynamic response of the system on both sides of the threshold. The relaxation time constant of a fractal cluster is shown to scale with its size as withd _t = 4 – 2d +d _c + /, whered is tge Euclidean dimension, andd _c , , and are the scaling indices for the charging, the dc conductivity, and the correlation length respectively. The average time dependent response of the system is shown to scale with a new time scale , where is the correlation length and ₀ is a microscopic time constant. It is shown that at frequencies and with /d_t 1, in close agreement with experiments. The effects of the anomalous transport along the infinite cluster and the medium polarizability are also discussed.     

Absence of symmetry breaking for systems of rotors with random interactions

We prove that Gibbs states for the Hamiltonian , with thes _x varying on theN-dimensional unit sphere, obtained with nonrandom boundary conditions (in a suitable sense), are almost surely rotationally invariant if withJ _xy i.i.d. bounded random variables with zero average, 1 in one dimension, and 2 in two dimensions.     

On a new derivation of the Navier-Stokes equation

Given a net of finite-dimensional real Lie algebras contracting into a Lie algebra, a representation of is constructed explicitly as limit of a net ( _l ) of representations, each _l being a representation of on a complex Hilbert space _l . Conditions are imposed on the net ( _l ) implying that the carrier space of contain a-stable set of vectors which are analytic for all, where is a basis of. As a corollary, the corresponding result for contractions of representations of simply connected finite-dimensional real Lie groups is derived.Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation     

Global conformal invariance in quantum field theory

Suppose that there is given a Wightman quantum field theory (QFT) whose Euclidean Green functions are invariant under the Euclidean conformal groupSO _e (5,1). We show that its Hilbert space of physical states carries then a unitary representation of the universal (-sheeted) covering group* of the Minkowskian conformal group SO _e (4, 2)₂. The Wightman functions can be analytically continued to a domain of holomorphy which has as a real boundary an -sheeted covering of Minkowski-spaceM ⁴. It is known that* can act on this space and that admits a globally*-invariant causal ordering; is thus the natural space on which a globally*-invariant local QFT could live. We discuss some of the properties of such a theory, in particular the spectrum of the conformal HamiltonianH=1/2(P ⁰+K ⁰).As a tool we use a generalized Hille-Yosida theorem for Lie semigroups. Such a theorem is stated and proven in Appendix C. It enables us to analytically continue contractive representations of a certain maximal subsemigroup of to unitary representations of*.