Conformal field algebras with quantum symmetry from the theory of superselection sectors

According to the theory of superselection sectors of Doplicher, Haag, and Roberts, field operators which make transitions between different superselection sectors—i.e. different irreducible representations of the observable algebra—are to be constructed by adjoining localized endomorphisms to the algebra of local observables. We find the relevant endomorphisms of the chiral algebra of observables in the minimal conformal model with central chargec=1/2 (Ising model). We show by explicit and elementary construction how they determine a representation of the braid groupB which is associated with a Temperley-Lieb-Jones algebra. We recover fusion rules, and compute the quantum dimensions of the superselection sectors. We exhibit a field algebra which is quantum group covariant and acts in the Hilbert space of physical states. It obeys local braid relations in an appropriate weak sense.     

Fields,statistics and non-Abelian gauge groups

We examine field theories with a compact groupG of exact internal gauge symmetries so that the superselection sectors are labelled by the inequivalent irreducible representations ofG. A particle in one of these sectors obeys a parastatistics of orderd if and only if the corresponding representation ofG isd-dimensional. The correspondence between representations of the observable algebra and representations ofG extends to a mapping of the intertwining operators for these representations preserving linearity, tensor products and conjugation. Although we assume no explicit commutation property between fields, the commutation relations of fields of the same irreducible tensor character underG at spacelike separations are largely determined by the statistics parameter of the corresponding sector. For fields of conjugate irreducible tensor character the observable part of the commutator (anticommutator) vanishes at spacelike separations if the corresponding sector has para-Bose (para-Fermi) statistics.     

Operator algebras and conformal field theory

We define and study two-dimensional, chiral conformal field theory by the methods of algebraic field theory. We start by characterizing the vacuum sectors of such theories and show that, under very general hypotheses, their algebras of local observables are isomorphic to the unique hyperfinite type III₁ factor. The conformal net determined by the algebras of local observables is proven to satisfy Haag duality. The representation of the Moebius group (and presumably of the entire Virasoro algebra) on the vacuum sector of a conformal field theory is uniquely determined by the Tomita-Takesaki modular operators associated with its vacuum state and its conformal net. We then develop the theory of Moebius covariant representations of a conformal net, using methods of Doplicher, Haag and Roberts. We apply our results to the representation theory of loop groups. Our analysis is motivated by the desire to find a background-independent formulation of conformal field theories.     

Unitary Positive-Energy Representations of Scalar Bilocal Quantum Fields

The superselection sectors of two classes of scalar bilocal quantum fields in D ≥ 4 dimensions are explicitly determined by working out the constraints imposed by unitarity. The resulting classification in terms of the dual of the respective gauge groups U(N) and O(N) confirms the expectations based on general results obtained in the framework of local nets in algebraic quantum field theory, but the approach using standard Lie algebra methods rather than abstract duality theory is complementary. The result indicates that one does not lose interesting models if one postulates the absence of scalar fields of dimension D−2 in models with global conformal invariance. Another remarkable outcome is the observation that, with an appropriate choice of the Hamiltonian, a Lie algebra embedded into the associative algebra of observables completely fixes the representation theory.     

The charged sectors of Quantum Electrodynamics in a framework of local observables

The construction of charged sectors in Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) is analyzed within a framework of algebras of local observables. It is argued that charged sectors arise by composing a vacuum state with charged * morphisms of an algebra of (neutral) quasi-local observables. Charged * morphisms, in turn, are obtained as weak limits of charge transfer cocycles. These are non-local elements of the algebra of all quasi-local observables obeying topological commutation relations with the local charge operators. It is shown that in this framework, charged sectors are invariant under the time evolution and satisfy the relativistic spectrum condition. The total charge operator is well defined and time-independent (conserved) on all charged sectors. Under an additional hypothesis the spectrum of the total charge operator is shown to be a discrete subgroup of the real line. A generalized Haag-Ruelle scattering theory for charged infra-particles is suggested, and some comments on non-abelian gauge theories are described.     

Where Infinite Spin Particles are Localizable

Particle states transforming in one of the infinite spin representations of the Poincaré group (as classified by E. Wigner) are consistent with fundamental physical principles, but local fields generating them from the vacuum state cannot exist. While it is known that infinite spin states localized in a spacelike cone are dense in the one-particle space, we show here that the subspace of states localized in any double cone is trivial. This implies that the free field theory associated with infinite spin has no observables localized in bounded regions. In an interacting theory, if the vacuum vector is cyclic for a double cone local algebra, then the theory does not contain infinite spin representations. We also prove that if a Doplicher–Haag–Roberts representation (localized in a double cone) of a local net is covariant under a unitary representation of the Poincaré group containing infinite spin, then it has infinite statistics. These results hold under the natural assumption of the Bisognano–Wichmann property, and we give a counter-example (with continuous particle degeneracy) without this property where the conclusions fail. Our results hold true in any spacetime dimension s + 1 where infinite spin representations exist, namely \({s\geq 2}\).     

The statistical quantum number and gauge groups in parafermi field theory

Properties of a system consisting of a single parafermi field of order p are studied mainly in connection with gauge groups. Following the theory of Drühl, Haag and Roberts, the algebra of observables is classified into four cases according to the types of gauge groups, i.e., SO(p), O(p), U(p), and SU(p). A detailed study is made of irreducible representations of these gauge groups that are realized in the state-vector space of the parafermi field. Superselection operators which give rise to the corresponding superselection rules related to the gauge groups are studied, and their explicit expressions given. The statistical quantum number which we introduced before is found to be nothing other than the eigenvalues of a superselection operator for the gauge group O(p).     

A C*-Algebra for Quantized Principal U(1)-Connections on Globally Hyperbolic Lorentzian Manifolds

The aim of this work is to complete our program on the quantization of connections on arbitrary principal U(1)-bundles over globally hyperbolic Lorentzian manifolds. In particular, we show that one can assign via a covariant functor to any such bundle an algebra of observables which separates gauge equivalence classes of connections. The C*-algebra we construct generalizes the usual CCR-algebras, since, contrary to the standard field-theoretic models, it is based on a presymplectic Abelian group instead of a symplectic vector space. We prove a no-go theorem according to which neither this functor, nor any of its quotients, satisfies the strict axioms of general local covariance. As a byproduct, we prove that a morphism violates the locality axiom if and only if a certain induced morphism of cohomology groups is non-injective. We show then that, fixing any principal U(1)-bundle, there exists a suitable category of subbundles for which a quotient of our functor yields a quantum field theory in the sense of Haag and Kastler. We shall provide a physical interpretation of this feature and we obtain some new insights concerning electric charges in locally covariant quantum field theory.     

Combinatorial Space from Loop Quantum Gravity

The canonical quantization of diffeomorphism invariant theories of connections in terms of loop variables is revisited. Such theories include general relativity described in terms of Ashtekar-Barbero variables and extension to Yang-Mills fields (with or without fermions) coupled to gravity. It is argued that the operators induced by classical diffeomorphism invariant or covariant functions are respectively invariant or covariant under a suitable completion of the diffeomorphism group. The canonical quantization in terms of loop variables described here, yields a representation of the algebra of observables in a separable Hilbert space. Furthermore, the resulting quantum theory is equivalent to a model for diffeomorphism invariant gauge theories which replaces space with a manifestly combinatorial object.     

New Light on Infrared Problems: Sectors,Statistics, Symmetries and Spectrum

A new approach to the analysis of the physical state space of a theory is presented within the general setting of local quantum physics. It also covers theories with long range forces, such as quantum electrodynamics. Making use of the notion of charge class, an extension of the concept of superselection sector, infrared problems are avoided by restricting the states to observables localized in a light cone. The charge structure of a theory can be explored in a systematic manner. The present analysis focuses on simple charges, thus including the electric charge. It is shown that any such charge has a conjugate charge. There is a meaningful concept of statistics: the corresponding charge classes are either of Bose or of Fermi type. The family of simple charge classes is in one-to-one correspondence with the irreducible unitary representations of a compact Abelian group. Moreover, there is a meaningful definition of covariant charge classes. Any such class determines a continuous unitary representation of the Poincaré group or its covering group satisfying the relativistic spectrum condition. The resulting particle aspects are also briefly discussed.     

Some applications of dilatation invariance to structural questions in the theory of local observables

In a dilatation-invariant theory it is shown that there is a unique locally normal dilatation-invariant state. Furthermore a gauge transformation of a local algebra cannot be implemented by a unitary operator from the local algebra. If the local field algebras are factors then so are the local observable algebras. The superselection structure of the theory can be determined locally.     

Superselection Sectors and General Covariance. I

This paper is devoted to the analysis of charged superselection sectors in the framework of the locally covariant quantum field theories. We shall analyze sharply localizable charges, and use net-cohomology of J.E. Roberts as a main tool. We show that to any 4-dimensional globally hyperbolic spacetime a unique, up to equivalence, symmetric tensor -category with conjugates (in case of finite statistics) is attached; to any embedding between different spacetimes, the corresponding categories can be embedded, contravariantly, in such a way that all the charged quantum numbers of sectors are preserved. This entails that to any spacetime is associated a unique gauge group, up to isomorphisms, and that to any embedding between two spacetimes there corresponds a group morphism between the related gauge groups. This form of covariance between sectors also brings to light the issue whether local and global sectors are the same. We conjecture this holds that at least on simply connected spacetimes. It is argued that the possible failure might be related to the presence of topological charges. Our analysis seems to describe theories which have a well defined short-distance asymptotic behaviour.     

The energy-momentum spectrum in local field theories with broken Lorentz-symmetry

Assuming locality of the observables and positivity of the energy it is shown that the joint spectrum of the energy-momentum operators has a Lorentz-invariant lower boundary in all superselection sectors. This result is of interest if the Lorentz-symmetry is (spontaneously) broken, such as in the charged sectors of quantum electrodynamics.     

Normal product states for fermions and twisted duality for CCR- and CAR-type algebras with application to the Yukawa2 quantum field model

We present sufficient conditions that imply duality for the algebras of local observables in all Abelian sectors of all locally normal, irreducible representations of a field algebra if twisted duality obtains in one of these representations. It is verified that the Yukawa₂ model satisfies these conditions, yielding the first proof of duality for the observable algebra in all coherent charge sectors in this model. This paper also constitutes the first verification of the assumptions of the axiomatic study of the structure of superselection sectors by Doplicher, Haag and Roberts in an interacting model with nontrivial sectors. The existence of normal product states for the free Fermi field algebra and, thus, the verification of the funnel property for the associated net of local algebras are demonstrated.     

Algebra of Observables and Charge Superselection Sectors for QED on the Lattice

Quantum Electrodynamics on a finite lattice is investigated within the hamiltonian approach. First, the structure of the algebra of lattice observables is analyzed and it is shown that the charge superselection rule holds. Next, for every eigenvalue of the total charge operator a canonical irreducible representation is constructed and it is proved that all irreducible representations corresponding to a fixed value of the total charge are unique up to unitary equivalence. The physical Hilbert space is by definition the direct sum of these superselection sectors. Finally, lattice quantum dynamics in the Heisenberg picture is formulated and the relation of our approach to gauge fixing procedures is discussed. Received: 21 October 1996 / Accepted: 10 February 1997     

Modular structure of the local algebras associated with the free massless scalar field theory

The modular structure of the von Neumann algebra of local observables associated with a double cone in the vacuum representation of the free massless scalar field theory of any number of dimensions is described. The modular automorphism group is induced by the unitary implementation of a family of generalized fractional linear transformations on Minkowski space and is a subgroup of the conformal group. The modular conjugation operator is the anti-unitary implementation of a product of time reversal and relativistic ray inversion. The group generated by the modular conjugation operators for the local algebras associated with the family of double cone regions is the group of proper conformal transformations. A theorem is presented asserting the unitary equivalence of local algebras associated with lightcones, double cones, and wedge regions. For the double cone algebras, this provides an explicit realization of spacelike duality and establishes the known typeIII ₁ factor property. It is shown that the timelike duality property of the lightcone algebras does not hold for the double cone algebras. A different definition of the von Neumann algebras associated with a region is introduced which agrees with the standard one for a lightcone or a double cone region but which allows the timelike duality property for the double cone algebras. In the case of one spatial dimension, the standard local algebras associated with the double cone regions satisfy both spacelike and timelike duality.Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHY-79-23251Supported in part by C. N. R.     

Composite electrodynamics

This paper solidifies the foundations for a singleton theory of light, first proposed two years ago. This theory is based on a pure gauge coupling of the scalar singleton field to the electromagnetic current. Like quarks, singletons are essentially unobservable. The field operators are not local observables and therefore need not commute for spacelike separation. This opens up possibilities for generalized statistics, just as is the case for quarks. It then turns out that a pure gauge coupling, in which ∂μφ(x) couples to the conserved current j^μ(x), generates real interactions— the effective theory is precisely ordinary electrodynamics in de Sitter space. Here we improve our theory and explain it in much more detail than before, adding two new results. (1) The concept of normal ordering in a theory with unconventional statistics is worked out in detail. (2) We have discovered the natural way of including both photon helicities. Quantization, it may be noted, is a study in representation theory of certain infinite-dimensional, nilpotent Lie algebras, of which the Heisenberg algebra is the prototype.     

Field operators for anyons and plektons

Given its superselection sectors with non-abelian braid group statistics, we extend the algebraA of local observables into an algebra containing localized intertwiner fields which carry the superselection charges. The construction of the inner degrees of freedom, as well as the study of their transformation properties (quantum symmetry), are entirely in terms of the superselection structure of the observables. As a novel and characteristic feature for braid group statistics, Clebsch-Gordan and commutation coefficients generically take values in the algebra of symmetry operators, much as it is the case with quasi-Hopf symmetry.A, , and are allC ^* algebras, i.e. represented by bounded operators on a Hilbert space with positive metric.