The role of type III factors in quantum field theory

One of von Neumann's motivations for developing the theory of operator algebras and his and Murray's 1936 classification of factors was the question of possible decompositions of quantum systems into independent parts. For quantum systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom the simplest possibility, i.e. factors of type I in the terminology of Murray and von Neumann, are perfectly adequate. In relativistic quantum field theory (RQFT), on the other hand, factors of type III occur naturally. The same holds true in quantum statistical mechanics of infinite systems. In this brief review some physical consequences of the type III property of the von Neumann algebras corresponding to localized observables in RQFT and their difference from the type I case will be discussed. The cumulative effort of many people over more than 30 years has established a remarkable uniqueness result: The local algebras in RQFT are generically isomorphic to the unique, hyperfinite type III, factor in Connes' classification of 1973. Specific theories are characterized by the net structure of the collection of these isomorphic algebras for different space-time regions, i.e. the way they are embedded into each other     

Vecteurs totalisateurs d'une algèbre de von Neumann

We prove that the set of cyclic vectors for a von Neumann algebra in a Hilbert spaceH is aG set, which is empty or dense. We obtain some corollaries, for instance: if (A ₁,A ₂ ...) is a sequence of von Neumann algebras inH, and if eachA _n has a cyclic vector and a separating vector, then there exists a vector inH which is cyclic and separating for eachA _n. For algebras of local observables, we improve the known results connecting the infinite type of the algebras and the existence of cyclic and separating vectors.     

On the type of local algebras in quantum field theory

We give a simple sufficient condition for a von Neumann algebra to be Type III and apply it to some classes of algebras in QFT. For dilatation invariant local systems in particular we find that all sufficiently regular local algebras are Type III.     

On Gibbs Measures of Models with Competing Ternary and Binary Interactions and Corresponding Von Neumann Algebras II

In the present paper the Ising model with competing binary (J) and binary (J₁) interactions with spin values ±1, on a Cayley tree of order 2 is considered. The structure of Gibbs measures for the model is studied. We completely describe the set of all periodic Gibbs easures for the model with respect to any normal subgroup of finite index of a group representation of the Cayley tree. Types of von Neumann algebras, generated by GNS-representation associated with diagonal states corresponding to the translation invariant Gibbs measures, are determined. It is proved that the factors associated with minimal and maximal Gibbs states are isomorphic, and if they are of type III then the factor associated with the unordered phase of the model can be considered as a subfactors of these factors respectively. Some concrete examples of factors are given too.     

Factoriality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-Gaussian von Neumann Algebras

We prove that the von Neumann algebras generated by n q-Gaussian elements, are factors for n2.     

Positivity of Wightman functionals and the existence of local nets

The paper is concerned with the existence of a local net of von Neumann algebras associated with a given Wightman field. For fields satisfying a generalizedH-bound the existence of such a net is shown to be equivalent to a certain positivity property of the Wightman distributions.     

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.     

Quantum Charges and Spacetime Topology: The Emergence of New Superselection Sectors

A new form of superselection sectors of topological origin is developed. By that it is meant a new investigation that includes several extensions of the traditional framework of Doplicher, Haag and Roberts in local quantum theories. At first we generalize the notion of representations of nets of C*–algebras, then we provide a brand new view on selection criteria by adopting one with a strong topological flavour. We prove that it is coherent with the older point of view, hence a clue to a genuine extension. In this light, we extend Roberts’ cohomological analysis to the case where 1–cocycles bear non-trivial unitary representations of the fundamental group of the spacetime, equivalently of its Cauchy surface in the case of global hyperbolicity. A crucial tool is a notion of group von Neumann algebras generated by the 1–cocycles evaluated on loops over fixed regions. One proves that these group von Neumann algebras are localized at the bounded region where loops start and end and to be factorial of finite type I. All that amounts to a new invariant, in a topological sense, which can be defined as the dimension of the factor. We prove that any 1–cocycle can be factorized into a part that contains only the charge content and another where only the topological information is stored. This second part much resembles what in literature is known as geometric phases. Indeed, by the very geometrical origin of the 1–cocycles that we discuss in the paper, they are essential tools in the theory of net bundles, and the topological part is related to their holonomy content. At the end we prove the existence of net representations. Dedicated to Klaus Fredenhagen on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday     

Clustering for algebraicK-systems

We prove that for a von Neumann algebra that is an algebraicK system with respect to some automorphism, the invariant state isK-clustering andr-clustering. Further, we study by using examples how far the von Neumann algebra inherits theK property from the underlyingC ^* algebra.     

On the Uniqueness of Diffeomorphism Symmetry in Conformal Field Theory

A Möbius covariant net of von Neumann algebras on S¹ is diffeomorphism covariant if its Möbius symmetry extends to diffeomorphism symmetry. We prove that in case the net is either a Virasoro net or any at least 4-regular net such an extension is unique: the local algebras together with the Möbius symmetry (equivalently: the local algebras together with the vacuum vector) completely determine it. We draw the two following conclusions for such theories. (1) The value of the central charge c is an invariant and hence the Virasoro nets for different values of c are not isomorphic as Möbius covariant nets. (2) A vacuum preserving internal symmetry always commutes with the diffeomorphism symmetries. We further use our result to give a large class of new examples of nets (even strongly additive ones), which are not diffeomorphism covariant; i.e. which do not admit an extension of the symmetry to Diff⁺(S¹).Supported in part by the Italian MIUR and GNAMPA-INDAM.     

Stable equivalence of the weak closures of free groups convolution algebras

We prove in this paper that the von Neumann algebras associated to the free non-commutative groups are stably isomorphic, i.e. that they are isomorphic when tensorized by the algebra of all linear bounded operators on a separable, infinite dimensional Hilbert space. This gives positive evidence for an old question, due to R.V. Kadison (see also S. Sakai's book on W^*-algebras), whether the von Neumann algebras associated to free groups are isomorphic or not.     

Type-Decomposition of a Synaptic Algebra

A synaptic algebra is a generalization of the self-adjoint part of a von Neumann algebra. In this article we extend to synaptic algebras the type-I/II/III decomposition of von Neumann algebras, AW^?-algebras, and JW-algebras.     

On the duality between Boolean-valued analysis and reduction theory under the assumption of separability

It is well known that the real and complex numbers in the Scott-Solovay universeV ^(B) of ZFC based on a complete Boolean algebraB are represented by the real-valued and complex-valued Borel functions on the Stonean space ofB. The main purpose of this paper is to show that the separable complex Hilbert spaces and the von Neumann algebras acting on them inV ^(B) can be represented by reasonable classes of families of complex Hilbert spaces and of von Neumann algebras over. This could be regarded as the duality between Boolean-valued analysis developed by Ozawa, Takeuti, and others and the traditional reduction theory based not on measure spaces but on Stonean spaces. With due regard to Ozawa, this duality could pass for a sort of reduction theory forAW ^*-modules over commutativeAW ^*-algebras and embeddableAW ^*-algebras. Under the duality we establish several fundamental correspondence theorems, including the type correspondence theorems of factors.     

2-Cocycles and Twisting of Kac Algebras

We describe the twisting construction with the help of 2-cocycles on Hopf–von Neumann and George Kac algebras; we show that twisted Kac algebras are again Kac algebras. Using this construction, we give a wide class of new quantizations of the Heisenberg group and describe several series of non-trivial finite- dimensional -Hopf algebras (Kac algebras) of dimensions 4n and as twisting of finite groups. Received: Received: 21 March 1997 / Accepted: 2 June 1997     

Algebras of Random Operators Associated to Delone Dynamical Systems

We carry out a careful study of operator algebras associated with Delone dynamical systems. A von Neumann algebra is defined using noncommutative integration theory. Features of these algebras and the operators they contain are discussed. We restrict our attention to a certain C ^*-subalgebra to discuss a Shubin trace formula.     

The Finite-Dimensional Moser Type Reduction of Modified Boussinesq and Super-Korteweg-de Vries Hamiltonian Systems via the Gradient-Holonomic Algorithm and Dual Moment Maps. Part I

Abstract

The Moser type reductions of modified Boussinessq and super-Korteweg-de Vries equations upon the finite-dimensional invariant subspaces of solutions are considered. For the Hamiltonian and Liouville integrable finite-dimensional dynamical systems concerned with the invariant subspaces, the Lax representations via the dual moment maps into some deformed loop algebras and the finite hierarchies of conservation laws are obtained. A supergeneralization of the Neumann dynamical system is presented.     

Quantum Enveloping Algebras with von Neumann Regular Cartan-like Generators and the Pierce Decomposition

Quantum bialgebras derivable from U _q (sl ₂) which contain idempotents and von Neumann regular Cartan-like generators are introduced and investigated. Various types of antipodes (invertible and von Neumann regular) on these bialgebras are constructed, which leads to a Hopf algebra structure and a von Neumann-Hopf algebra structure, respectively. For them, explicit forms of some particular R-matrices (also, invertible and von Neumann regular) are presented, and the latter respects the Pierce decomposition. Dedicated to the memory of our colleague Leonid L. Vaksman (1951–2007) On leave of absence from: TheoryGroup, Nuclear Physics Laboratory,V.N.Karazin Kharkov National University, Svoboda Sq. 4, Kharkov 61077, Ukraine. E-mail: sduplij@gmail.com;     

Orthogonal Measures on State Spaces and Context Structure of Quantum Theory

An interplay between recent topos theoretic approach and standard convex theoretic approach to quantum theory is discovered. Combining new results on isomorphisms of posets of all abelian subalgebras of von Neumann algebras with classical Tomita’s theorem from state space Choquet theory, we show that order isomorphisms between the sets of orthogonal measures (resp. finitely supported orthogonal measures) on state spaces endowed with the Choquet order are given by Jordan ?-isomorphims between corresponding operator algebras. It provides new complete Jordan invariants for σ-finite von Neumann algebras in terms of decompositions of states and shows that one can recover physical system from associated structure of convex decompositions (discrete or continuous) of a fixed state.     

Neumann-Bogolyubov-Rosochatius Oscillatory Dynamical Systems and their Integrability Via Dual Moment Maps. Part I

Abstract

The finite-dimensional invariant subspaces of the solutions of intergrable by Lax infinite-dimensional Benney-Kaup dynamical system are presented. These invariant subspaces carry the canonical symplectic structure, with relation to which the Neumann type dynamical systems are Hamiltonian and Liouville intergrable ones. For the Neumann-Bogolyubov and Neumann-Rosochatius dynamical systems, the Lax-type representations via the dual moment maps into some deformed loop algebras as well as the finite hierarchies of conservation laws are constructed.     

Disordered Fermions on Lattices and Their Spectral Properties

We study Fermionic systems on a lattice with random interactions through their dynamics and the associated KMS states. These systems require a more complex approach compared with the standard spin systems on a lattice, on account of the difference in commutation rules for the local algebras for disjoint regions, between these two systems. It is for this reason that some of the known formulations and proofs in the case of the spin lattice systems with random interactions do not automatically go over to the case of disordered Fermion lattice systems. We extend to the disordered CAR algebra some standard results concerning the spectral properties exhibited by temperature states of disordered quantum spin systems. We investigate the Arveson spectrum, known to physicists as the set of the Bohr frequencies. We also establish its connection with the Connes and Borchers spectra, and with the associated invariants for such W ^∗-dynamical systems which determine the type of von Neumann algebras generated by a temperature state. We prove that all such spectra are independent of the disorder. Such results cover infinite-volume limits of finite-volume Gibbs states, that is the quenched disorder for Fermions living on a standard lattice ℤ ^d , including models exhibiting some standard spin-glass-like behavior. As a natural application, we show that a temperature state can generate only a type III\mathop {\rm {III}} von Neumann algebra (with the type III₀\mathop {\rm {III_{0}}} component excluded). In the case of the pure thermodynamic phase, the associated von Neumann algebra is of type III_l\mathop {\rm {III_{\lambda }}} for some λ∈(0,1], independent of the disorder. All such results are in accordance with the principle of self-averaging which affirms that the physically relevant quantities do not depend on the disorder. The approach pursued in the present paper can be viewed as a further step towards fully understanding the very complicated structure of the set of temperature states of quantum spin glasses, and its connection with the breakdown of the symmetry for the replicas.