Interacting Quantum Field Research Articles

Causal signal transmission by quantum fields. II: Quantum-statistical response of interacting bosons

We analyse nonperturbatively signal transmission patterns in Green’s functions of interacting quantum fields. Quantum field theory is reformulated in terms of the nonlinear quantum-statistical response of the field. This formulation applies equally to interacting relativistic fields and nonrelativistic models. Of crucial importance is that all causality properties to be expected of a response formulation indeed hold. Being by construction equivalent to Schwinger’s closed-time-loop formalism, this formulation is also shown to be related naturally to both Kubo’s linear response and Glauber’s macroscopic photodetection theories, being a unification of the two with generalisation to the nonlinear quantum-statistical response problem. In this paper we introduce response formulation of bosons; response reformulation of fermions will be subject of a separate paper.

Construction of Quantum Field Theories with Factorizing S-Matrices

A new approach to the construction of interacting quantum field theories on two-dimensional Minkowski space is discussed. In this program, models are obtained from a prescribed factorizing S-matrix in two steps. At first, quantum fields which are localized in infinitely extended, wedge-shaped regions of Minkowski space are constructed explicitly. In the second step, local observables are analyzed with operator-algebraic techniques, in particular by using the modular nuclearity condition of Buchholz, d’Antoni and Longo. Besides a model-independent result regarding the Reeh–Schlieder property of the vacuum in this framework, an infinite class of quantum field theoretic models with non-trivial interaction is constructed. This construction completes a program initiated by Schroer in a large family of theories, a particular example being the Sinh-Gordon model. The crucial problem of establishing the existence of local observables in these models is solved by verifying the modular nuclearity condition, which here amounts to a condition on analytic properties of form factors of observables localized in wedge regions. It is shown that the constructed models solve the inverse scattering problem for the considered class of S-matrices. Moreover, a proof of asymptotic completeness is obtained by explicitly computing total sets of scattering states. The structure of these collision states is found to be in agreement with the heuristic formulae underlying the Zamolodchikov-Faddeev algebra.

Comment on the sign of the Casimir force

I show that reflection positivity implies that the force between any mirror pair of charge-conjugate probes of the quantum vacuum is attractive. This generalizes a recent theorem of Kenneth and Klich (2006 Phys. Rev. Lett. 97 160401 (Preprint quant-ph/0601011)) to interacting quantum fields, to arbitrary semiclassical bodies and to quantized probes with non-overlapping wavefunctions. I also prove that the torques on charge-conjugate probes tend always to rotate them into a mirror-symmetric position.

A relationship between scalar Green functions on hyperbolic and Euclidean Rindler spaces

We derive a formula connecting in any dimension the Green function on the (D + 1)-dimensional Euclidean Rindler space and the one for a minimally coupled scalar field with a mass m in the D-dimensional hyperbolic space. The relation takes a simple form in the momentum space where the Green functions are equal at the momenta (p0, p) for Rindler and for hyperbolic space with a simple additive relation between the squares of the mass and the momenta. The formula has applications to finite temperature Green functions, Green functions on the cone and on the (compactified) Milne spacetime. Analytic continuations and interacting quantum fields are briefly discussed.

The Operator Product Expansion for Perturbative Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime

We present an algorithm for constructing the Wilson operator product expansion (OPE) for perturbative interacting quantum field theory in general Lorentzian curved spacetimes, to arbitrary orders in perturbation theory. The remainder in this expansion is shown to go to zero at short distances in the sense of expectation values in arbitrary Hadamard states. We also establish a number of general properties of the OPE coefficients: (a) they only depend (locally and covariantly) upon the spacetime metric and coupling constants, (b) they satisfy an associativity property, (c) they satisfy a renormalization group equation, (d) they satisfy a certain microlocal wave front set condition, (e) they possess a “scaling expansion”. The latter means that each OPE coefficient can be written as a sum of terms, each of which is the product of a curvature polynomial at a spacetime point, times a Lorentz invariant Minkowski distribution in the tangent space of that point. The algorithm is illustrated in an example.

Renormalizable acausal theories of classical gravity coupled with interacting quantum fields

We prove the renormalizability of various theories of classical gravity coupled with interacting quantum fields. The models contain vertices with dimensionalities greater than 4, a finite number of matter operators and a finite or reduced number of independent couplings. An interesting class of models is obtained from ordinary power-counting renormalizable theories, letting the couplings depend on the scalar curvature R of spacetime. The divergences are removed without introducing higher derivative kinetic terms in the gravitational sector. The metric tensor has a non-trivial running, even if it is not quantized. The results are proved applying a certain map that converts classical instabilities, due to higher derivatives, into classical violations of causality, whose effects become observable at sufficiently high energies. We study acausal Einstein–Yang–Mills theory with an R-dependent gauge coupling in detail. We derive all-order formulae for the beta functions of the dimensionality-six gravitational vertices induced by renormalization, such as RRμνρσRμνρσ. Such beta functions are related to the trace-anomaly coefficients of the matter subsector.

On signatures of Planck-scale interactions in the cosmic microwave background radiation

Based on a rather general low-energy effective action (interacting quantum fields in classical curved spacetimes), we calculate potential signatures of new physics (e.g., quantum gravity) at ultra-high energies (such as the Planck scale) in the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Special emphasis is laid on the correct treatment of the initial state, which was not derived rigorously in previous works. These Planck-scale interactions create non-Gaussian contributions, and we focus on the three-point function as the most promising observable, which also allows discrimination between models violating and those obeying Lorentz invariance.

Nothing's plenty. The vacuum in modern quantum field theory

Abstract In contemporary theories of the structure of matter at very short distance scales, various properties (some of them hypothetical as yet) of the vacuum are of crucial importance. The technical framework for such studies is quantum field theory. The aim of this article is to provide access, for a non-specialist readership, to the physics of the vacuum as presently understood in quantum field theory. To do this, heavy reliance is placed on a fundamental analogy. The basic theoretical entity—the quantum field—is here regarded as analogous to a quantum-mechanical system with (infinitely) many degrees of freedom. A system of interacting quantum fields is then analogous to a complicated system in solid state physics; it can exist in different energy states, namely the ground state and various excited states. The excited states of the field system are characterized by the presence of excitation quanta, which are the particles (electrons, quarks, photons…) of which our material world is composed. In the g...

Testing the master constraint programme for loop quantum gravity: V. Interacting field theories

This is the fifth and final paper in our series of five in which we test the master constraint programme for solving the Hamiltonian constraint in loop quantum gravity. Here we consider interacting quantum field theories, specifically we consider the non-Abelian Gauss constraints of Einstein–Yang–Mills theory and 2 + 1 gravity. Interestingly, while Yang–Mills theory in 4D is not yet rigorously defined as an ordinary (Wightman) quantum field theory on Minkowski space, in background-independent quantum field theories such as loop quantum gravity (LQG) this might become possible by working in a new, background-independent representation. While for the Gauss constraint the master constraint can be solved explicitly, for the 2 + 1 theory we are only able to rigorously define the master constraint operator. We show that the, by other methods known, physical Hilbert is contained in the kernel of the master constraint, however, to systematically derive it by only using spectral methods is as complicated as for 3 + 1 gravity and we therefore leave the complete analysis for 3 + 1 gravity.

Testing the master constraint programme for loop quantum gravity: I. General framework

Recently, the master constraint programme for loop quantum gravity (LQG) was proposed as a classically equivalent way to impose the infinite number of Wheeler–DeWitt constraint equations in terms of a single master equation. While the proposal has some promising abstract features, it was until now barely tested in known models. In this series of five papers we fill this gap, thereby adding confidence to the proposal. We consider a wide range of models with increasingly more complicated constraint algebras, beginning with a finite-dimensional, Abelian algebra of constraint operators which are linear in the momenta and ending with an infinite-dimensional, non-Abelian algebra of constraint operators which closes with structure functions only and which are not even polynomial in the momenta. In all these models, we apply the master constraint programme successfully; however, the full flexibility of the method must be exploited in order to complete our task. This shows that the master constraint programme has a wide range of applicability but that there are many, physically interesting subtleties that must be taken care of in doing so. In particular, as we will see, that we can possibly construct a master constraint operator for a nonlinear, that is, interacting quantum field theory underlines the strength of the background-independent formulation of LQG. In this first paper, we prepare the analysis of our test models by outlining the general framework of the master constraint programme. The models themselves will be studied in the remaining four papers. As a side result, we develop the direct integral decomposition (DID) programme for solving quantum constraints as an alternative to refined algebraic quantization (RAQ).

Quantum simulator for the O(3) nonlinear sigma model

We propose a design for the construction of a laboratory system based on present-day technology which reproduces and thereby simulates the quantum dynamics of the O(3) nonlinear sigma model. Apart from its relevance in condensed-matter theory, this strongly interacting quantum field theory serves as an important toy model for quantum chromo-dynamics (QCD) since it reproduces many crucial properties of QCD. PACS: 03.67.-a, 03.67.Lx, 11.10.Kk, 68.65.-k.

QUANTUM ENERGY INEQUALITIES IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL CONFORMAL FIELD THEORY

Quantum energy inequalities (QEIs) are state-independent lower bounds on weighted averages of the stress-energy tensor, and have been established for several free quantum field models. We present rigorous QEI bounds for a class of interacting quantum fields, namely the unitary, positive energy conformal field theories (with stress-energy tensor) on two-dimensional Minkowski space. The QEI bound depends on the weight used to average the stress-energy tensor and the central charge(s) of the theory, but not on the quantum state. We give bounds for various situations: averaging along timelike, null and spacelike curves, as well as over a space-time volume. In addition, we consider boundary conformal field theories and more general "moving mirror" models. Our results hold for all theories obeying a minimal set of axioms which — as we show — are satisfied by all models built from unitary highest-weight representations of the Virasoro algebra. In particular, this includes all (unitary, positive energy) minimal models and rational conformal field theories. Our discussion of this issue collects together (and, in places, corrects) various results from the literature which do not appear to have been assembled in this form elsewhere.

Viscosity in Strongly Interacting Quantum Field Theories from Black Hole Physics

The ratio of shear viscosity to volume density of entropy can be used to characterize how close a given fluid is to being perfect. Using string theory methods, we show that this ratio is equal to a universal value of variant Planck's over 2pi/4pik(B) for a large class of strongly interacting quantum field theories whose dual description involves black holes in anti-de Sitter space. We provide evidence that this value may serve as a lower bound for a wide class of systems, thus suggesting that black hole horizons are dual to the most ideal fluids.

THERMAL QUANTUM FIELDS WITHOUT CUT-OFFS IN 1+1 SPACE-TIME DIMENSIONS

We construct interacting quantum fields in 1+1 dimensional Minkowski space, representing neutral scalar bosons at positive temperature. Our work is based on prior work by Klein and Landau and Høegh-Krohn.

A NATURAL RENORMALIZATION OF THE ONE-LOOP EFFECTIVE ACTION FOR SCALAR FIELD IN CURVED SPACETIME

It has been shown that the negative norm states necessarily appear in a covariant quantization of the free minimally coupled scalar field in de Sitter space.1,2 In this process, ultraviolet and infrared divergences have been automatically eliminated.3 A natural renormalization of the one-loop interacting quantum field in Minkowski spacetime (λϕ4 theory) has been achieved through the consideration of the negative norm states.4 The one-loop effective action for scalar field in a general curved space-time has been calculated by this method, and a natural renormalization procedure in the one-loop approximation has been established.

Thermal quantum fields with spatially cutoff interactions in 1+1 space–time dimensions

We construct interacting quantum fields in 1+1 space–time dimensions, representing charged or neutral scalar bosons at positive temperature and zero chemical potential. Our work is based on prior work by Klein and Landau and Høegh-Krohn. Generalized path space methods are used to add a spatially cutoff interaction to the free system, which is described in the Araki–Woods representation. It is shown that the interacting KMS state is normal w.r.t. the Araki–Woods representation. The observable algebra and the modular conjugation of the interacting system are shown to be identical to the ones of the free system and the interacting Liouvillean is described in terms of the free Liouvillean and the interaction.

ALGEBRAIC APPROACH TO THE 1/N EXPANSION IN QUANTUM FIELD THEORY

The 1/N expansion in quantum field theory is formulated within an algebraic framework. For a scalar field taking values in the N by N hermitian matrices, we rigorously construct the gauge invariant interacting quantum field operators in the sense of power series in 1/N and the 't Hooft coupling parameter as members of an abstract *-algebra. The key advantages of our algebraic formulation over the usual formulation of the 1/N expansion in terms of Green's functions are (i) that it is completely local so that infrared divergencies in massless theories are avoided on the algebraic level and (ii) that it admits a generalization to quantum field theories on globally hypberbolic Lorentzian curved spacetimes. We expect that our constructions are also applicable in models possessing local gauge invariance such as Yang–Mills theories. The 1/N expansion of the renormalization group flow is constructed on the algebraic level via a family of *-isomorphisms between the algebras of interacting field observables corresponding to different scales. We also consider k-parameter deformations of the interacting field algebras that arise from reducing the symmetry group of the model to a diagonal subgroup with k factors. These parameters smoothly interpolate between situations of different symmetry.

Correlation entropy of an interacting quantum field andHtheorem for theO(N)model

Following the paradigm of Boltzmann-BBGKY we propose a correlation entropy (of the nth order) for an interacting quantum field, obtained by `slaving' (truncation with causal factorization) of the higher (n+1 th) order correlation functions in the Schwinger-Dyson system of equations. This renders an otherwise closed system effectively open where dissipation arises. The concept of correlation entropy is useful for addressing issues related to thermalization. As a small yet important step in that direction we prove an H-theorem for the correlation entropy of a quantum mechanical O(N) model with a Closed Time Path Two Particle Irreducible Effective Action at the level of Next-to-Leading-Order large N approximation. This model may be regarded as a field theory in $0$ space dimensions.

Construction of a robust warm inflation mechanism

A dissipative mechanism is presented, which emerges in generic interacting quantum field systems and which leads to robust warm inflation. An explicit example is considered, where using typical parameter values, it is shown that considerable radiation can be produced during inflation. The extension of our results to expanding spacetime also is discussed.

Generation of entangled coherent states via cross-phase-modulation in a double electromagnetically induced transparency regime

The generation of an entangled coherent state is one of the most important ingredients of quantum information processing using coherent states. Recently, numerous schemes to achieve this task have been proposed. In order to generate travelling-wave entangled coherent states, cross phase modulation, optimized by optical Kerr effect enhancement in a dense medium in an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) regime, seems to be very promising. In this scenario, we propose a fully quantized model of a double-EIT scheme recently proposed [D. Petrosyan and G. Kurizki, {\sl Phys. Rev. A} {\bf 65}, 33833 (2002)]: the quantization step is performed adopting a fully Hamiltonian approach. This allows us to write effective equations of motion for two interacting quantum fields of light that show how the dynamics of one field depends on the photon-number operator of the other. The preparation of a Schr\"odinger cat state, which is a superposition of two distinct coherent states, is briefly exposed. This is based on non-linear interaction via double-EIT of two light fields (initially prepared in coherent states) and on a detection step performed using a $50:50$ beam splitter and two photodetectors. In order to show the entanglement of a generated entangled coherent state, we suggest to measure the joint quadrature variance of the field. We show that the entangled coherent states satisfy the sufficient condition for entanglement based on quadrature variance measurement. We also show how robust our scheme is against a low detection efficiency of homodyne detectors.