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arXiv · 2509.01458

Quantum reference frames for spacetime symmetries and large gauge transformations

Daan W. Janssen
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Abstract

Symmetries are a central concept in our understanding of physics. In quantum theories, a quantum reference frame (QRF) can be used to distinguish between observables related by a symmetry. The framework of operational QRFs provides a means to describe observables in terms of their relation to a reference quantum system. We discuss a number of applications of QRFs in the context of quantum field theory on curved spacetimes: 1) A type reduction result for algebras arising from QFTs and QRFs with good thermal properties. 2) Quantisation of boundary electric fluxes and gluing procedures for quantum electromagnetism on spacetimes with boundaries.

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Daan W. Janssen. 2025-09-01. Quantum reference frames for spacetime symmetries and large gauge transformations. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596%2F3177%2F1%2F012137

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