Operator product expansions in conformally covariant quantum field theory

Operator products in quantum field theory on two-dimensional Minkowski space are expanded into a series of local operators by means of the tensor product decomposition theorem for representations of the conformal group. The Thirring model is used as an explicit example. Two types of expansions result. If the operator product acts on the vacuum state, we obtain strictly covariant expansions. In general however, each term in the expansion is only semicovariant.     

Operator product expansions on the vacuum in conformal quantum field theory in two spacetime dimensions

Let ₁(x) and ₂(y) be two local fields in a conformal quantum field theory (CQFT) in two dimensional spacetime. It is then shown that the vector-valued distribution ₁(x)₂(y)|0 is a boundary value of a vectorvalued holomorphic function which is defined on a large conformally invariant domain. By group theoretical arguments alone it is proved that ₁(x)₂(y)|0 can be expanded into conformal partial waves. These have all the properties of a global version of Wilson's operator product expansions when applied to the vacuum state |0. Finally, the corresponding calculations are carried out more explicitly in the Thirring model. Here, a complete set of local conformally covariant fields is found, which is closed under vacuum expansion of any two it its elements (a vacuum expansion is an operator product expansion applied to the vacuum).Work supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Current commutation relations in the framework of general quantum field theory

In this paper we give a rigorous formulation of Gell-Mann's equal time commutation relations in the framework of general quantum field theory. We show that this can be achieved despite the nonexistence of charge operators for nonconserved currents. Starting from the properly formulated equal time commutation relations of generalized charges, we justify the application of the Gauss-Theorem and we discuss the limits for large times of time dependent generalized charges. The Jost-Lehmann-Dyson representation is used in order to show that the equal time commutation relations always lead to exactly one, frame independent, sum rule. We discuss the connection between properties of the Jost-Lehmann-Dyson spectral function and the convergence of Adler-Weisberger type sum rules.On leave of absence from University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 13 Penna.     

Convergence of operator product expansions on the vacuum in conformal invariant quantum field theory

In a conformal invariant quantum field theory (in 4 space time dimensions) Wilson operator product expansions converge on the vacuum, because they are closely related to conformal partial wave expansions.     

Operator ideals and the statistical independence in quantum field theory

We consider analytic properties of a class of dynamical systems which are defined by the action of certain homomorphism groups on von Neumann algebras if restricted to subalgebras. In particular, the analyticity of nuclear maps in the nuclear norm is shown. Furthermore, the statistical independence will be derived from nuclearity conditions. These results give new insight in the statistical independence of commuting algebras.This paper is a result of a collaboration with H. J. Borchers.     

Convergent perturbation expansions for Euclidean quantum field theory

Mayer perturbation theory is designed to provide computable convergent expansions which permit calculation of Greens functions in Euclidean quantum field theory to arbitrary accuracy, including nonper-turbative contributions from large field fluctuations. Here we describe the expansions at the example of 3-dimensional ⁴-theory (in continuous space). They are not essentially more complicated than standard perturbation theory. Then ^th order term is expressed in terms ofO(n)-dimensional integrals, and is of order ^k if 4k–3n4k.Dedicated to the memory of Kurt Symanzik     

Operator product expansions in the massless Schwinger model

The known operator solution of the massless Schwinger model is used to calculate exactly, in three operator product expansions, the coefficient functions of the first few operators of low dimension which contribute when vacuum matrix elements are to be taken. A comparison of the results provides a test of the procedure used by M. A. Shifman, A. I. Vainshtein, and V. I. Zakharov [Nucl. Phys. B147 (1979), 385–447] in their study of QCD. It is found that the shift in vacua does not affect the calculation of coefficient functions. The vacuum insertion approximation yields somewhat misleading estimates of vacuum expectation values of some composite operators; however, the standard method used to estimate the errors of vacuum insertion indicates that the approximation is unreliable in this model.     

A general framework for cosmological quantum theory

A self-contained structure for interpreting quantum theory in a cosmological context is presented which is free from the “unique predecessor” restriction previously imposed, and which allows mixed states involving only a finite part of the universe.     

The star product in interacting quantum field theory

Letters in Mathematical Physics - We propose a new formula for the star product in deformation quantization of Poisson structures related in a specific way to a variational problem for a function...     

Space-dependent dirac operators and effective quantum field theory for fermions

For the operator, wherem(x) can change sign, we develop a cluster expansion for computing the determinant and Green's functions. We use a local chiral transformation to relate the space-dependent case to the ordinary Dirac operator.Supported in part by National Science Foundation grant PHY/DMS 88-16214Supported in part by National Science Foundation grants DMS 90-08827 and DMS 88-580873Supported in part by National Science Foundation Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship DMS 88-07291     

Dirac operators in Boson-Fermion Fock spaces and supersymmetric quantum field theory

Infinite dimensional analysis is developed on an abstract Boson-Fermion Fock space. A general class of Dirac operators acting there is introduced and properties of them are investigated. An index theorem for the Dirac operators is established in terms of a path integral on a loop space. It is shown that the abstract formalism presented here gives a mathematical unification for some models of supersymmetric quantum field theory.     

Field operators and their spectral properties in finite-dimensional quantum field theory

In Ref. 1 we have considered the finite-dimensional quantum mechanics. There the quantum mechanical space of states wasV=C ^r. It is known that the second quantization of this space is the space of square-summable functions of finite number of variables(L ²(R^r,dx)) (Segal isomorphism). Creation and annihilation operators were introduced in Ref. 1, and the former coincided with the usual position and momentum operators in the conventional quantum mechanics. In this paper we shall investigate the spectral properties of field operators. We shall show that the isomorphism between the exponential ofV andL ²(R^r,dx) can be understood as the decomposition by generalized eigenvectors of field operators (Fourier transform).     

An algebraic approach to quantum field theory and commutation relations for energy momentum in the framework of general relativity

We present a consistent set of commutation relations (C.R.) for a quantum system immersed in a classical gravitational field. The gravity field is described by metric tensorg _ik (x) andg ₀₀(x) with coordinate gaugeg _i0=0. The Hamiltonian of the system is found to be a linear function of [–g ₀₀(x)]^1/2. Its properties we define by C.R. avoiding explicit expression in terms of fields, as well as its splitting into free and interaction parts. In this way a consistent set of C.R., which are equally simple for a flat and curvilinear space, can be established. To stress the main idea of our approach, we consider the simple but still nontrivial example of a scalar electrodynamics immersed in a gravity field. The electromagnetic current operator we define by its C.R. and not explicitly. An interesting feature of this approach is that the Poisson equation follows from the consistency of the C.R. The C.R. for the energy and momentum operators of the system in a gravity field are established which generalize the usual Poincare group generators C.R. For example, we find (i/hc ²)[H _(x) ,H _(x) ]=P _– , whereH _(x) is the Hamiltonian of the system, which is a linear functional of (x)[–g ₀₀(x)]^1/2 andP _s(x) represents the momentum-density operator [averaged with the classical functions(x)].     

Analyticity properties and many-particle structure in general quantum field theory

The extraction of one-particle singularities from then-point functions is performed in the framework of L.S.Z. field theory in the case of a single massive scalar field. It is proved that the “one-particle irreducible” functions thus obtained enjoy the analytic and algebraic primitive structure of generaln-point functions (up to a finite number of generalized C.D.D. singularities). Finally under an additional technical assumption, it is shown that the Glaser-Lehmann-Zimmermann relations stating the completeness of asymptotic states yield similar relations satisfied in any given channel by the corresponding one-particle irreducible functions.     

Analyticity properties and many-particle structure in general quantum field theory

In the framework of L.S.Z. field theory in the case of a single massive scalar field, the two-particle irreducible parts of then-point functions (in any single channel and for arbitraryn) are defined as the solutions of a system of integral equations suggested by the perturbative framework. These solutions enjoy the analytic and algebraic properties of generaln-point functions (up to possible polar singularities of generalized C.D.D. type). Morever it is shown that the completeness of asymptotic states in the two-particle spectral region is equivalent to the analyticity of the two-particle irreduciblen-point functions in the corresponding regions of complex momentum space.     

Operator product expansion in two-dimensional quantum gravity

We consider correlation functions of operators and the operator product expansion in two-dimensional quantum gravity. First we introduce correlation functions with geodesic distances between operators kept fixed. Next, by making two of the operators closer, we examine whether there exists an analog of the operator product expansion in ordinary field theories. Our results suggest that the operator product expansion holds in quantum gravity as well, though special care should be taken regarding the physical meaning of fixing geodesic distances on a fluctuating geometry.     

Causality in local quantum field theory: Some general results

General asymptotic causality properties of chronologicalN-point functions and, in massive theories, ofN-particle collision amplitudes, are derived from locality and the spectral condition. Results include specified rates of exponential fall-off, with simple and direct physical content, for large non-causal separations of points or particles in Minkowski space-time depending on values of the energy-momenta and on the mass spectrum. Relevant mathematical results on rates of exponential fall-off of generalized Fourier transforms outside their microsupports are given.Laboratoire de la Direction des Sciences de la Matière du Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique     

Gravidynamics,spinodynamics and electrodynamics within the framework of gravitational quantum field theory

By noticing the fact that the charged leptons and quarks in the standard model are chirality-based Dirac spinors since their weak interaction violates maximally parity symmetry though they behave as Dirac fermions in electromagnetic interaction, we show that such a chirality-based Dirac spinor possesses not only electric charge gauge symmetry U(1) but also inhomogeneous spin gauge symmetry WS(1,3)=SP(1,3)?W^1,3, which reveals the nature of gravity and spacetime. The gravitational force...     

The symmetry aspects of quantum field theory in general relativity 1

Some proposed models for a quantum field theory in general relativity are briefly analyzed. Their main difficulties are a consequence of the initial choice of the group of symmetries of the (quantum) field equations. The necessity of selecting space-time isometries in a general covariant theory and the unphysical character of the Poincaré translations in a tangent plane theory are discussed. Starting from some basic requirements, a model is proposed in which the groups of symmetries are derived from the proper homogeneous groups of isometries of the minimal isometric local embedding spaces of space-times.This essay received an honorable mention (1977) from the Gravity Research Foundation-Ed.