Tree Quantum Field Theory

We propose a new formalism for quantum field theory (QFT) which is neither based on functional integrals, nor on Feynman graphs, but on marked trees. This formalism is constructive, i.e., it computes correlation functions through convergent rather than divergent expansions. It applies both to Fermionic and Bosonic theories. It is compatible with the renormalization group, and it allows to define non-perturbatively differential renormalization group equations. It accommodates any general stable polynomial Lagrangian. It can equally well treat noncommutative models or matrix models such as the Grosse–Wulkenhaar model. Perhaps most importantly it removes the space-time background from its central place in QFT, paving the way for a non-perturbative definition of field theory in non-integer dimension.     

On formal quantum group laws

There exist natural generalizations of the concept of formal groups laws for noncommutative power series. This is a note on formal quantum group laws and quantum group law chunks. Formal quantum group laws correspond to noncommutative (topological) Hopf algebra structures on free associative power series algebras ká áx₁,...,x_m ? ?k\langle\! \langle x_1,\dots,x_m \rangle\! \rangle , k a field. Some formal quantum group laws occur as completions of noncommutative Hopf algebras (quantum groups). By truncating formal power series, one gets quantum group law chunks. ¶If the characteristic of k is 0, the category of (classical) formal group laws of given dimension m is equivalent to the category of m-dimensional Lie algebras. Given a formal group law or quantum group law (chunk), the corresponding Lie structure constants are determined by the coefficients of its chunk of degree 2. Among other results, a classification of all quantum group law chunks of degree 3 is given. There are many more classes of strictly isomorphic chunks of degree 3 than in the classical case.     

Noncommutative deformations of quantum field theories,locality, and causality

We investigate noncommutative deformations of quantum field theories for different star products, particularly emphasizing the locality properties and the regularity of the deformed fields. Using functional analysis methods, we describe the basic structural features of the vacuum expectation values of star-modified products of fields and field commutators. As an alternative to microcausality, we introduce a notion of θ-locality, where θ is the noncommutativity parameter. We also analyze the conditions for the convergence and continuity of star products and define the function algebra that is most suitable for the Moyal and Wick-Voros products. This algebra corresponds to the concept of strict deformation quantization and is a useful tool for constructing quantum field theories on a noncommutative space-time.     

Path Integrals in Noncommutative Quantum Mechanics

We consider an extension of the Feynman path integral to the quantum mechanics of noncommuting spatial coordinates and formulate the corresponding formalism for noncommutative classical dynamics related to quadratic Lagrangians (Hamiltonians). The basis of our approach is that a quantum mechanical system with a noncommutative configuration space can be regarded as another effective system with commuting spatial coordinates. Because the path integral for quadratic Lagrangians is exactly solvable and a general formula for the probability amplitude exists, we restrict our research to this class of Lagrangians. We find a general relation between quadratic Lagrangians in their commutative and noncommutative regimes and present the corresponding noncommutative path integral. This method is illustrated with two quantum mechanical systems in the noncommutative plane: a particle in a constant field and a harmonic oscillator.     

(Co)bordism Groups in Quantum PDEs

In this paper we formulate a theory of noncommutative manifolds (quantum manifolds) and for such manifolds we develop a geometric theory of quantum PDEs (QPDEs). In particular, a criterion of formal integrability is given that extends to QPDEs previously obtained by D. C. Spencer and H. Goldschmidt for PDEs for commutative manifolds, and by Prástaro for super PDEs. Quantum manifolds are seen as locally convex manifolds where the model has the structure A ^m _{1 1}×···×A ^m _{s s} , with AA ₁×···×A _s a noncommutative algebra that satisfies some particular axioms (quantum algebra). A general theory of integral (co)bordism for QPDEs is developed that extends our previous for PDEs. Then, noncommutative Hopf algebras (full quantum p-Hopf algebras, 0pm–1) are canonically associated to any QPDE, Ê_k ^k _m(W) whose elements represent all the possible invariants that can be recognized for such a structure. Many examples of QPDEs are considered where we apply our theory. In particular, we carefully study QPDEs for quantum field theory and quantum supergravity. We show that the corresponding regular solutions, observed by means of quantum relativistic frames, give curvature, torsion, gravitino and electromagnetic fields as A-valued distributions on spacetime, where A is a quantum algebra. For such equations, canonical quantizations are obtained and the quantum and integral bordism groups and the full quantum p-Hopf algebras, 0p3, are explicitly calculated. Then, the existence of (quantum) tunnel effects for quantum superstrings in supergravity is proved.     

Number theory as the ultimate physical theory

At the Planck scale doubt is cast on the usual notion of space-time and one cannot think about elementary particles. Thus, the fundamental entities of which we consider our Universe to be composed cannot be particles, fields or strings. In this paper the numbers are considered as the fundamental entities. We discuss the construction of the corresponding physical theory. A hypothesis on the quantum fluctuations of the number field is advanced for discussion. If these fluctuations actually take place then instead of the usual quantum mechanics over the complex number field a new quantum mechanics over an arbitrary field must be developed. Moreover, it is tempting to speculate that a principle of invariance of the fundamental physical laws under a change of the number field does hold. The fluctuations of the number field could appear on the Planck length, in particular in the gravitational collapse or near the cosmological singularity. These fluctuations can lead to the appearance of domains with non-Archimedean p-adic or finite geometry. We present a short review of the p-adic mathematics necessary, in this context.     

Representations of homogeneous quantum Lévy fields

We study homogeneous quantum Lévy processes and fields with independent additive increments over a noncommutative *-monoid. These are described by infinitely divisible generating state functionals, invariant with respect to an endomorphic injective action of a symmetry semigroup. A strongly covariant GNS representation for the conditionally positive logarithmic functionals of these states is constructed in the complex Minkowski space in terms of canonical quadruples and isometric representations on the underlying pre-Hilbert field space. This is of much use in constructing quantum stochastic representations of homogeneous quantum Lévy fields on Itô monoids, which is a natural algebraic way of defining dimension free, covariant quantum stochastic integration over a space-time indexing set.     

The emergence of time

Classically, one could imagine a completely static space, thus without time. As is known, this picture is unconceivable in quantum physics due to vacuum fluctuations. The fundamental difference between the two frameworks is that classical physics is commutative (simultaneous observables) while quantum physics is intrinsically noncommutative (Heisenberg uncertainty relations). In this sense, we may say that time is generated by noncommutativity; if this statement is correct, we should be able to derive time out of a noncommutative space. We know that a von Neumann algebra is a noncommutative space. About 50 years ago the Tomita–Takesaki modular theory revealed an intrinsic evolution associated with any given (faithful, normal) state of a von Neumann algebra, so a noncommutative space is intrinsically dynamical. This evolution is characterised by the Kubo–Martin–Schwinger thermal equilibrium condition in quantum statistical mechanics (Haag, Hugenholtz, Winnink), thus modular time is related to temperature. Indeed, positivity of temperature fixes a quantum-thermodynamical arrow of time. We shall sketch some aspects of our recent work extending the modular evolution to a quantum operation (completely positive map) level and how this gives a mathematically rigorous understanding of entropy bounds in physics and information theory. A key point is the relation with Jones’ index of subfactors. In the last part, we outline further recent entropy computations in relativistic quantum field theory models by operator algebraic methods, that can be read also within classical information theory. The information contained in a classical wave packet is defined by the modular theory of standard subspaces and related to the quantum null energy inequality.     

Quantum exotic PDE’s

Following the previous works on the Prástaro’s formulation of algebraic topology of quantum (super) PDE’s, it is proved that a canonical Heyting algebra (integral Heyting algebra) can be associated to any quantum PDE. This is directly related to the structure of its global solutions. This allows us to recognize a new inside in the concept of quantum logic for microworlds. Furthermore, the Prástaro’s geometric theory of quantum PDE’s is applied to the new category of quantum hypercomplex manifolds, related to the well-known Cayley–Dickson construction for algebras. Theorems of existence for local and global solutions are obtained for (singular) PDE’s in this new category of noncommutative manifolds. Finally, the extension of the concept of exotic PDE’s, recently introduced by Prástaro, has been extended to quantum PDE’s. Then a smooth quantum version of the quantum (generalized) Poincaré conjecture is given too. These results extend ones for quantum (generalized) Poincaré conjecture, previously given by Prástaro.     

Trees, Renormalization and Differential Equations

The Butcher group and its underlying Hopf algebra of rooted trees were originally formulated to describe Runge–Kutta methods in numerical analysis. In the past few years, these concepts turned out to have far-reaching applications in several areas of mathematics and physics: they were rediscovered in noncommutative geometry, they describe the combinatorics of renormalization in quantum field theory. The concept of Hopf algebra is introduced using a familiar example and the Hopf algebra of rooted trees is defined. Its role in Runge–Kutta methods, renormalization theory and noncommutative geometry is described.     

Quantum statistical theory of radiation friction of a relativistic electron

We comprehensively investigate the effect of quantum space-time nonlocality that accounts for retardation of the electron interaction with both the electron’s own radiation field and the fluctuation field of the electromagnetic vacuum. We rigorously show that the quantum nonlocality effect eliminates the self-acceleration and the causality violation paradoxes that are inherent in the classical theory of radiation friction. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 158, No. 3, pp. 478–496, March, 2009.     

Matrix Inequalities: A Symbolic Procedure to Determine Convexity Automatically

This paper presents a theory of noncommutative functions which results in an algorithm for determining where they are “matrix convex”. Of independent interest is a theory of noncommutative quadratic functions and the resulting algorithm which calculates the region where they are “matrix positive”. This is accomplished via a theorem (a type of Positivstellensatz) on writing noncommutative quadratic functions with noncommutative rational coefficients as a weighted sum of squares. Furthermore the paper gives an LDU algorithm for matrices with noncommutative entries and conditions guaranteeing that the decomposition is successful.     

Quantum field theory meets Hopf algebra

This paper provides a primer in quantum field theory (QFT) based on Hopf algebra and describes new Hopf algebraic constructions inspired by QFT concepts. The following QFT concepts are introduced: chronological products, S ‐matrix, Feynman diagrams, connected diagrams, Green functions, renormalization. The use of Hopf algebra for their definition allows for simple recursive derivations and leads to a correspondence between Feynman diagrams and semi‐standard Young tableaux. Reciprocally, these concepts are used as models to derive Hopf algebraic constructions such as a connected coregular action or a group structure on the linear maps from S (V) to V. In many cases, noncommutative analogues are derived (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Dispersion Relations for the Forward Elastic Scattering Amplitude in Noncommutative Quantum Field Theory

We show that the forward elastic scattering amplitude of two massive spinless particles in noncommutative quantum field theory has the same analytic properties as in the commutative case if the noncommutativity condition involves only the spatial variables.     

Cylindrical wave solutions of a scalar-tensor theory

Summary Recently Dunn(1974) has formulated a scalar-tensor theory of gavitation and proposed a set of field equations, by taking a modification of the Riemannian geometry and has obtained static spherically symmetric solutions of the vacuum field equations. In this paper we have investigated the cylindrical wave solutions of the above mentioned field equations in a space-time with a metric which is more general than that of Einstein-Rosen. It has been shown that these solutions can be deduced from the known solutions of the field equations representing empty space-time taken along with the Einstein-Rosen metric. Lastly some plane-wave solutions corresponding to the Bondi's general plane-wave metric, have come under inverstigation as a direct consequence of a certain assumption. Entrata in Redazione il 10 aprile 1976.     

Gauging of SL(2,R) WZNW models and the Liouville field

We consider the gauging of theSL(2, R) WZNW model by its nilpotent subgroupE(1). The resulting space-time of the corresponding sigma model is seen to collapse to the one-dimensional field theory of Liouville.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 98. No. 3, pp. 337–342, March, 1994.     

Heat-Kernel Approach to UV/IR Mixing on Isospectral Deformation Manifolds

We work out the general features of perturbative field theory on noncommutative manifolds defined by isospectral deformation. These (in general curved) ‘quantum spaces’, generalizing Moyal planes and noncommutative tori, are constructed using Rieffel’s theory of deformation quantization by actions of Our framework, incorporating background field methods and tools of QFT in curved spaces, allows to deal both with compact and non-compact spaces, as well as with periodic and non-periodic deformations, essentially in the same way. We compute the quantum effective action up to one loop for a scalar theory, showing the different UV/IR mixing phenomena for different kinds of isospectral deformations. The presence and behavior of the non-planar parts of the Green functions is understood simply in terms of off-diagonal heat kernel contributions. For periodic deformations, a Diophantine condition on the noncommutivity parameters is found to play a role in the analytical nature of the non-planar part of the one-loop reduced effective action. Existence of fixed points for the action may give rise to a new kind of UV/IR mixing. Communicated by Vincent Rivasseau submitted 22/12/04, accepted 22/03/05     

Schwinger Functions in Noncommutative Quantum Field Theory

It is shown that the n-point functions of scalar massive free fields on the noncommutative Minkowski space are distributions which are boundary values of analytic functions. Contrary to what one might expect, this construction does not provide a connection to the popular traditional Euclidean approach to noncommutative field theory (unless the time variable is assumed to commute). Instead, one finds Schwinger functions with twistings involving only momenta that are on the mass-shell. This explains why renormalization in the traditional Euclidean noncommutative framework crudely differs from renormalization in the Minkowskian regime.     

Ground ring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-generators and a sequence of Ramond-Neveu-Schwarz string theories

We construct a sequence of new nilpotent BRST charges in the Ramond-Neveu-Schwarz superstring theory based on the hierarchy of found local gauge symmetries. These gauge symmetries are in turn related to global α-symmetries in the space-time forming a noncommutative ring. The constructed BRST charges are presumably connected with the superstring dynamics in a curved space-time with an AdS-type geometry.