Quantum Energy Inequalities Research Articles

Wormhole Restrictions from Quantum Energy Inequalities

Wormhole solutions, bridges that connect different parts of spacetime, were proposed early in the history of General Relativity. Soon after, it was shown that all wormholes violate classical energy conditions, which are non-negativity constraints on contractions of the stress–energy tensor. Since these conditions are violated by quantum fields, it was believed that wormholes can be constructed in the context of semiclassical gravity. But negative energies in quantum field theory are not without restriction: quantum energy inequalities (QEIs) control renormalized negative energies averaged over a geodesic. Thus, QEIs provide restrictions on the construction of wormholes. This work is a review of the relevant literature, thus focusing on results where QEIs restrict traversable wormholes. Both ‘short’ and ‘long’ (without causality violations) wormhole solutions in the context of semiclassical gravity are examined. A new result is presented on constraints on the Maldacena, Milekhin, and Popov ‘long’ wormhole from the recently derived doubled smeared null energy condition.

A generalization of the Hawking black hole area theorem

Hawking’s black hole area theorem was proven using the null energy condition (NEC), a pointwise condition violated by quantum fields. The violation of the NEC is usually cited as the reason that black hole evaporation is allowed in the context of semiclassical gravity. Here we provide two generalizations of the classical black hole area theorem: first, a proof of the original theorem with an averaged condition, the weakest possible energy condition to prove the theorem using focusing of null geodesics. Second, a proof of an area-type result that allows for the shrinking of the black hole horizon but provides a bound on it. This bound can be translated to a bound on the black hole evaporation rate using a condition inspired from quantum energy inequalities. Finally, we show how our bound can be applied to two cases that violate classical energy conditions.

Stress Tensor Bounds on Quantum Fields

The singular behaviour of quantum fields in Minkowski space can often be bounded by polynomials of the Hamiltonian H. These so-called H-bounds and related techniques allow us to handle pointwise quantum fields and their operator product expansions in a mathematically rigorous way. A drawback of this approach, however, is that the Hamiltonian is a global rather than a local operator and, moreover, it is not defined in generic curved spacetimes. In order to overcome this drawback we investigate the possibility of replacing H by a component of the stress tensor, essentially an energy density, to obtain analogous bounds. For definiteness we consider a massive, minimally coupled free Hermitean scalar field. Using novel results on distributions of positive type we show that in any globally hyperbolic Lorentzian manifold M for any f,F∈C0∞(M)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$f,F\\in C_0^{\\infty }(M)$$\\end{document} with F≡1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$F\\equiv 1$$\\end{document} on supp(f)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ extrm{supp}(f)$$\\end{document} and any timelike smooth vector field tμ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$t^{\\mu }$$\\end{document} we can find constants c,C>0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$c,C>0$$\\end{document} such that ω(ϕ(f)∗ϕ(f))≤C(ω(Tμνren(tμtνF2))+c)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\omega (\\phi (f)^*\\phi (f))\\le C(\\omega (T^{\ extrm{ren}}_{\\mu \ u }(t^{\\mu }t^{\ u }F^2))+c)$$\\end{document} for all (not necessarily quasi-free) Hadamard states ω\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\omega $$\\end{document}. This is essentially a new type of quantum energy inequality that entails a stress tensor bound on the smeared quantum field. In 1+1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$1+1$$\\end{document} dimensions we also establish a bound on the pointwise quantum field, namely |ω(ϕ(x))|≤C(ω(Tμνren(tμtνF2))+c)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$|\\omega (\\phi (x))|\\le C(\\omega (T^{\ extrm{ren}}_{\\mu \ u }(t^{\\mu }t^{\ u }F^2))+c)$$\\end{document}, where F≡1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$F\\equiv 1$$\\end{document} near x.

Numerical results on quantum energy inequalities in integrable models at the two-particle level

In this article, we study the impact of self-interaction and multiparticle states on sustaining negative energies in relativistic quantum systems. For physically reasonable models, one usually requires bounds on both magnitude and duration of the accumulation of negative energy, typically given in form of a quantum energy inequality (QEI). Such bounds have applications in semiclassical gravity where they exclude exotic spacetime geometries and imply the formation of singularities. The essence of this article is a novel numerical method for determining optimal QEI bounds at the one- or two-particle level, extending previous work focused on the one-particle case and overcoming a new type of technical challenge associated with the two-particle scenario. Our method is tailored for integrable models in quantum field theory constructed via the S-matrix boostrap. Applying the method to a representative model, the sinh-Gordon model, we confirm self-interaction as the source of negative energy, with stronger interactions leading to more pronounced negativities. Moreover, we establish the validity of QEIs and the averaged weak energy condition (AWEC) at the one- and two-particle level. Lastly, we identify a constrained one-parameter class of nonminimal stress tensor expressions satisfying QEIs at both levels, with more stringent constraints emerging from the QEI bounds at the two-particle level. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Quantum Energy Inequalities in Integrable Models with Several Particle Species and Bound States

We investigate lower bounds to the time-smeared energy density, so-called quantum energy inequalities (QEI), in the class of integrable models of quantum field theory. Our main results are a state-independent QEI for models with constant scattering function and a QEI at one-particle level for generic models. In the latter case, we classify the possible form of the stress-energy tensor from first principles and establish a link between the existence of QEIs and the large-rapidity asymptotics of the two-particle form factor of the energy density. Concrete examples include the Bullough–Dodd, the Federbush, and the O(n)-nonlinear sigma models.

Quantum energy inequalities along stationary worldlines

Quantum energy inequalities (QEIs) are lower bounds on the averaged energy density of a quantum field. They have been proved for various field theories in general curved spacetimes but the explicit lower bound is not easily calculated in closed form. In this paper we study QEIs for the massless minimally coupled scalar field in four-dimensional Minkowski spacetime along stationary worldlines—curves whose velocity evolves under a 1-parameter Lorentz subgroup—and find closed expressions for the QEI bound, in terms of curvature invariants of the worldline. Our general results are illustrated by specific computations for the six prototypical stationary worldlines. When the averaging period is taken to infinity, the QEI bound is consistent with a constant energy density along the worldline. For inertial and uniformly linearly accelerated worldlines, this constant value is attained by the Minkowski and Rindler vacuums respectively. It is an open question as to whether the bounds for other stationary worldlines are attained by other states of interest.

Inaccessibility of traversable wormholes

Wormhole solutions to the equations of general relativity have some spectacular local and global properties. As these unusual features are not explicitly forbidden by known physics, wormholes are considered in various astrophysical and cosmological scenarios. The paradigmatic traversable wormhole models are described by static spherically-symmetric Ellis--Morris--Thorne and Simpson--Visser metrics. We show that no dynamical solution of the semiclassical Einstein equations can have these metrics as their static limit. On the other hand, possible static limits of the dynamical solutions are not traversable. Moreover, they lead to violation of a quantum energy inequality that bounds violations of the null energy condition by quantum fields. This conclusion does not depend on specific properties of fields that may be proposed for wormhole construction. As a result, spherically-symmetric wormholes cannot exist in semiclassical gravity.

A semiclassical singularity theorem

Quantum fields do not satisfy the pointwise energy conditions that are assumed in the original singularity theorems of Penrose and Hawking. Accordingly, semiclassical quantum gravity lies outside their scope. Although a number of singularity theorems have been derived under weakened energy conditions, none is directly derived from quantum field theory. Here, we employ a quantum energy inequality satisfied by the quantized minimally coupled linear scalar field to derive a singularity theorem valid in semiclassical gravity. By considering a toy cosmological model, we show that our result predicts timelike geodesic incompleteness on plausible timescales with reasonable conditions at a spacelike Cauchy surface.

Quantum Inequalities and Particle Creation in the Presence of an External, Time-Dependent Mamaev-Trunov Potential

In 2011, Mr. Dan Solomon proposed a model of a quantized scalar field interacting with a time-dependent Mamaev-Trunov potential in two-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. This model is governed by the Klein-Gordon wave equation with a time-dependent potential. Mr. Solomon claims that this model violates both the classical energy conditions of special relativity and the quantum energy conditions of quantum field theory in curved spacetime. Every classical energy condition can be violated, and their natural replacements are known as quantum inequalities. Mr. Solomon attempted to prove violations of the spatial and temporal quantum inequalities, and he correctly assumed that the negative energy splits into two fluxes at the Cauchy surface, where the potential is turned off. Unfortunately, Solomon neglects the contribution to the energy density due to particle creation when the potential is turned off at time t = 0. In this project, we calculate the contribution to the stress energy tensor due to particle creation. We show that while the classical energy conditions are violated, the quantum energy inequalities hold, contrary to Mr. Solomon’s statements.

A new derivation of singularity theorems with weakened energy hypotheses

The original singularity theorems of Penrose and Hawking were proved for matter obeying the null energy condition or strong energy condition, respectively. Various authors have proved versions of these results under weakened hypotheses, by considering the Riccati inequality obtained from Raychaudhuri’s equation. Here, we give a different derivation that avoids the Raychaudhuri equation but instead makes use of index form methods. We show how our results improve over existing methods and how they can be applied to hypotheses inspired by quantum energy inequalities. In this last case, we make quantitative estimates of the initial conditions required for our singularity theorems to apply.

Self-consistent description of a spherically-symmetric gravitational collapse

In spherical symmetry, the total energy-momentum tensor near the apparent horizon is identified up to a single function of time from two assumptions: a trapped region forms at a finite time of a distant observer, and values of two curvature scalars are finite at its boundary. In general relativity, this energy-momentum tensor leads to the unique limiting form of the metric. The null energy condition is violated across the apparent horizon and is satisfied in the vicinity of the inner apparent horizon. As a result, homogenous collapse models cannot describe the formation of a black hole. Properties of matter change discontinuously immediately after formation of a trapped region. Absolute values of comoving density, pressure, and flux coincide at the apparent horizon. Thus, collapse of ideal fluids cannot lead to the formation of black holes. Moreover, these three quantities diverge at the expanding apparent horizon, producing a regular (i.e., finite curvature) firewall. This firewall is incompatible with quantum energy inequalities, implying that trapped regions, once formed at some finite time of a distant observer, cannot grow.

Surface theory: the classical, the quantum, and the holographic

Motivated by the power of subregion/subregion duality for constraining the bulk geometry in gauge/gravity duality, we pursue a comprehensive and systematic approach to the behavior of extremal surfaces under perturbations. Specifically, we consider modifications to their boundary conditions, to the bulk metric, and to bulk quantum matter fields. We present a unified framework for treating such perturbations for classical extremal surfaces, classify some of their stability properties, and develop new technology to extend our treatment to quantum extremal surfaces, culminating in an ‘equation of quantum extremal deviation’. Part of the power of this formalism is due to its ability to map geometric statements into the language of elliptic operators; to illustrate, we show that various a priori disparate bulk constraints all follow from basic consistency of subregion/subregion duality. These include familiar properties such as (smeared) versions of the quantum focusing conjecture and the generalized second law, as well as new constraints on (i) metric and matter perturbations in spacetimes close to vacuum and (ii) the bulk stress tensor in generic (not necessary close to vacuum) spacetimes. This latter constraint is highly reminiscent of a quantum energy inequality.

Quantum strong energy inequalities

Quantum energy inequalities (QEIs) express restrictions on the extent to which weighted averages of the renormalized energy density can take negative expectation values within a quantum field theory. Here we derive, for the first time, QEIs for the effective energy density (EED) for the quantized non-minimally coupled massive scalar field. The EED is the quantity required to be non-negative in the strong energy condition (SEC), which is used as a hypothesis of the Hawking singularity theorem. Thus establishing a quantum strong energy inequality is a first step towards a singularity theorem for matter described by quantum field theory. More specifically, we derive a difference QEI, where the local average of the EED is normal-ordered relative to the one in a reference state. Furthermore, the lower bounds we derive over timelike geodesics or spacetime volumes turn out to depend on the state of interest. We analyse the state-dependence of these bounds in Minkowski spacetime for thermal (KMS) states, and show that the lower bounds grow more slowly in magnitude than the EED itself as the temperature increases. The lower bounds are therefore of lower energetic order than the EED, and qualify as nontrivial state-dependent QEIs.

Quantum energy inequalities in premetric electrodynamics

Pre-metric electrodynamics is a covariant framework for electromagnetism with a general constitutive law. Its lightcone structure can be more complicated than that of Maxwell theory as is shown by the phenomenon of birefringence. We study the energy density of quantized pre-metric electrodynamics theories with linear constitutive laws admitting a single hyperbolicity double-cone and show that averages of the energy density along the worldlines of suitable observers obey a Quantum Energy Inequality (QEI) in states that satisfy a microlocal spectrum condition. The worldlines must meet two conditions: (a) the classical weak energy condition must hold along them, and (b) their velocity vectors have positive contractions with all positive frequency null covectors (we call such trajectories `subluminal'). After stating our general results, we explicitly quantize the electromagnetic potential in a translationally invariant uniaxial birefringent crystal. Since the propagation of light in such a crystal is governed by two nested lightcones, the theory shows features absent in ordinary (quantized) Maxwell electrodynamics. We then compute a QEI bound for worldlines of inertial `subluminal' observers, which generalizes known results from the Maxwell theory. Finally, it is shown that the QEIs fail along trajectories that have velocity vectors which are timelike with respect to only one of the lightcones.

Modular energy inequalities from relative entropy

We obtain new constraints for the modular energy of general states by using the monotonicity property of relative entropy. In some cases, modular energy can be related to the energy density of states and these constraints lead to interesting relations between energy and entropy. In particular, we derive new quantum energy inequalities that improve some previous bounds for the energy density of states in a conformal field theory. Additionally, the inequalities derived in this manner also lead us to conclude that the entropy of the state further restricts the possible amount of negative energy allowed by the theory.

The split property for quantum field theories in flat and curved spacetimes

The split property expresses a strong form of independence of spacelike separated regions in algebraic quantum field theory. In Minkowski spacetime, it can be proved under hypotheses of nuclearity. An expository account is given of nuclearity and the split property, and connections are drawn to the theory of quantum energy inequalities. In addition, a recent proof of the split property for quantum field theory in curved spacetimes is outlined, emphasising the essential ideas.

Negative energy densities in integrable quantum field theories at one-particle level

We study the phenomenon of negative energy densities in quantum field theories with self-interaction. Specifically, we consider a class of integrable models (including the sinh-Gordon model) in which we investigate the expectation value of the energy density in one-particle states. In this situation, we classify the possible form of the stress-energy tensor from first principles. We show that one-particle states with negative energy density generically exist in nonfree situations, and we establish lower bounds for the energy density (quantum energy inequalities). Demanding that these inequalities hold reduces the ambiguity in the stress-energy tensor, in some situations fixing it uniquely. Numerical results for the lowest spectral value of the energy density allow us to demonstrate how negative energy densities depend on the coupling constant and on other model parameters.

Quantum energy inequality for the massive Ising model

A Quantum Energy Inequality (QEI) is derived for the massive Ising model, giving a state-independent lower bound on suitable averages of the energy density; the first QEI to be established for an interacting quantum field theory with nontrivial S-matrix. It is shown that the Ising model has one-particle states with locally negative energy densities, and that the energy density operator is not additive with respect to combination of one-particle states into multi-particle configurations.

Singularity theorems from weakened energy conditions

We establish analogues of the Hawking and Penrose singularity theorems based on (a) averaged energy conditions with exponential damping; (b) conditions on local stress–energy averages inspired by the quantum energy inequalities satisfied by a number of quantum field theories. As particular applications, we establish singularity theorems for the Einstein equations coupled to a classical scalar field, which violates the strong energy condition, and the nonminimally coupled scalar field, which also violates the null energy condition.

Local Thermal Equilibrium States and Quantum Energy Inequalities

In this paper we investigate the energy distribution of states of a linear scalar quantum field with arbitrary curvature coupling on a curved spacetime which fulfill some local thermality condition. We find that this condition implies a quantum energy inequality for these states, where the (lower) energy bounds depend only on the local temperature distribution and are local and covariant (the dependence of the bounds other than on temperature is on parameters defining the quantum field model, and on local quantities constructed from the spacetime metric). Moreover, we also establish the averaged null energy condition (ANEC) for such locally thermal states, under growth conditions on their local temperature and under conditions on the free parameters entering the definition of the renormalized stress-energy tensor. These results hold for a range of curvature couplings including the cases of conformally coupled and minimally coupled scalar field.