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Klaus Fredenhagen

Publications and source records attributed to Klaus Fredenhagen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cosmological perturbation theory and quantum gravity

It is shown how cosmological perturbation theory arises from a fully quantized perturbative theory of quantum gravity. Central for the derivation is a non-perturbative concept of gauge-invariant local observables by means of which perturbative invariant expressions of arbitrary order are generated. In particular, in the linearised theory, first order gauge-invariant observables familiar from cosmological perturbation theory are recovered. Explicit expressions of second order quantities are presented as well.

gr-qc↗

Quantum gravity from the point of view of locally covariant quantum field theory

We construct perturbative quantum gravity in a generally covariant way. In particular our construction is background independent. It is based on the locally covariant approach to quantum field theory and the renormalized Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. We do not touch the problem of nonrenormalizability and interpret the theory as an effective theory at large length scales.

math-ph↗

Dimensional Regularization in Position Space, and a Forest Formula for Epstein-Glaser Renormalization

We reformulate dimensional regularization as a regularization method in position space and show that it can be used to give a closed expression for the renormalized time-ordered products as solutions to the induction scheme of Epstein-Glaser. For scalar fields the resulting renormalization method is always applicable, we compute several examples. We also analyze the Hopf algebraic aspects of the combinatorics. Our starting point is the Main Theorem of Renormalization of Stora and Popineau and the arising renormalization group as originally defined by Stueckelberg and Petermann.

hep-th↗

Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism in perturbative algebraic quantum field theory

On the basis of a thorough discussion of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism for classical field theory presented in our previous publication, we construct in this paper the Batalin-Vilkovisky complex in perturbatively renormalized quantum field theory. The crucial technical ingredient is a proof that the renormalized time-ordered product is equivalent to the pointwise product of classical field theory. The renormalized Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra is then the classical algebra but written in terms of the time-ordered product, together with an operator which replaces the ill defined graded Laplacian of the unrenormalized theory. We identify it with the anomaly term of the anomalous Master Ward Identity of Brennecke and Dütsch. Contrary to other approaches we do not refer to the path integral formalism and do not need to use regularizations in intermediate steps.

math-ph↗

Construction of KMS States in Perturbative QFT and Renormalized Hamiltonian Dynamics

We present a general construction of KMS states in the framework of perturbative algebraic quantum field theory (pAQFT). Our approach may be understood as an extension of the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism. We obtain in particular the Wightman functions at positive temperature, thus solving a problem posed some time ago by Steinmann. The notorious infrared divergences observed in a diagrammatic expansion are shown to be absent due to a consequent exploitation of the locality properties of pAQFT. To this avail, we introduce a novel, Hamiltonian description of the interacting dynamics and find, in particular, a precise relation between relativistic QFT and rigorous quantum statistical mechanics.

math-ph↗

"Vacuum-like" Hadamard states for quantum fields on curved spacetimes

We present a modification of the recently proposed Sorkin-Johnston states for scalar free quantum fields on a class of globally hyperbolic spacetimes possessing compact Cauchy hypersurfaces. The modification relies on a smooth cutoff of the commutator function and leads always to Hadamard states, in contrast to the original Sorkin-Johnston states. The modified Sorkin-Johnston states are, however, due to the smoothing no longer uniquely associated to the spacetime.

gr-qc↗

Quantum field theory on curved spacetime and the standard cosmological model

The aim of this review is to outline a full route from the fundamental principles of algebraic quantum field theory on curved spacetime in its present-day form to explicit phenomenological applications which allow for comparison with experimental data. We give a brief account on the quantization of the free scalar field and its Wick powers in terms of an algebra of functionals on configuration space. Afterwards we demonstrate that there exist states on this algebra in which the energy momentum tensor is qualitatively and quantitatively of the perfect fluid form assumed in the standard model of cosmology up to small corrections. We indicate the potential relevance of one of these corrections for the actively debated phenomenon of Dark Radiation.

math-ph↗

Perturbative algebraic quantum field theory

These notes are based on the course given by Klaus Fredenhagen at the Les Houches Winter School in Mathematical Physics (January 29 - February 3, 2012) and the course "QFT for mathematicians" given by Katarzyna Rejzner in Hamburg for the Research Training Group 1670 (February 6 -11, 2012). Both courses were meant as an introduction to modern approach to perturbative quantum field theory and are aimed both at mathematicians and physicists.

math-ph↗

The Locality Axiom in Quantum Field Theory and Tensor Products of $C^*$-algebras

The prototype of mutually independent systems are systems which are localized in spacelike separated regions. In the framework of locally covariant quantum field theory we show that the commutativity of observables in spacelike separated regions can be encoded in the tensorial structure of the functor which associates unital $C^*$-algebras (the local observable algebras) to globally hyperbolic spacetimes. This holds under the assumption that the local algebras satisfy the split property and involves the minimal tensor product of $C^*$-algebras.

math-ph↗

Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism in the functional approach to classical field theory

We develop the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism for classical field theory on generic globally hyperbolic spacetimes. A crucial aspect of our treatment is the incorporation of the principle of local covariance which amounts to formulate the theory without reference to a distinguished spacetime. In particular, this allows a homological construction of the Poisson algebra of observables in classical gravity. Our methods heavily rely on the differential geometry of configuration spaces of classical fields.

math-ph↗

Local covariance and background independence

One of the many conceptual difficulties in the development of quantum gravity is the role of a background geometry for the structure of quantum field theory. To some extent the problem can be solved by the principle of local covariance. The principle of local covariance was originally imposed in order to restrict the renormalization freedom for quantum field theories on generic spacetimes. It turned out that it can also be used to implement the request of background independence. Locally covariant fields then arise as background independent entities.

math-ph↗

Quantum Geometry on Quantum Spacetime: Distance, Area and Volume Operators

We develop the first steps towards an analysis of geometry on the quantum spacetime proposed in [1]. The homogeneous elements of the universal differential algebra are naturally identified with operators living in tensor powers of Quantum Spacetime; this allows us to compute their spectra. In particular, we consider operators that can be interpreted as distances, areas, 3- and 4-volumes. The Minkowski distance operator between two independent events is shown to have pure Lebesgue spectrum with infinite multiplicity. The Euclidean distance operator is shown to have spectrum bounded below by a constant of the order of the Planck length. The corresponding statement is proved also for both the space-space and space-time area operators, as well as for the Euclidean length of the vector representing the 3-volume operators. However, the space 3-volume operator (the time component of that vector) is shown to have spectrum equal to the whole complex plane. All these operators are normal, while the distance operators are also selfadjoint. The Lorentz invariant spacetime volume operator, representing the 4- volume spanned by five independent events, is shown to be normal. Its spectrum is pure point with a finite distance (of the order of the fourth power of the Planck length) away from the origin. The mathematical formalism apt to these problems is developed and its relation to a general formulation of Gauge Theories on Quantum Spaces is outlined. As a byproduct, a Hodge Duality between the absolute dif- ferential and the Hochschild boundary is pointed out.

hep-th↗

Time in quantum physics: From an external parameter to an intrinsic observable

In the Schroedinger equation, time plays a special role as an external parameter. We show that in an enlarged system where the time variable denotes an additional degree of freedom, solutions of the Schroedinger equation give rise to weights on the enlarged algebra of observables. States in the associated GNS representation correspond to states on the original algebra composed with a completely positive unit preserving map. Application of this map to the functions of the time operator on the large system delivers the positive operator valued maps which were previously proposed by two of us as time observables. As an example we discuss the application of this formalism to the Wheeler-DeWitt theory of a scalar field on a Robertson-Walker spacetime.

math-ph↗

Perturbative Algebraic Quantum Field Theory and the Renormalization Groups

A new formalism for the perturbative construction of algebraic quantum field theory is developed. The formalism allows the treatment of low dimensional theories and of non-polynomial interactions. We discuss the connection between the Stueckelberg-Petermann renormalization group which describes the freedom in the perturbative construction with the Wilsonian idea of theories at different scales . In particular we relate the approach to renormalization in terms of Polchinski's Flow Equation to the Epstein-Glaser method. We also show that the renormalization group in the sense of Gell-Mann-Low (which characterizes the behaviour of the theory under the change of all scales) is a 1-parametric subfamily of the Stueckelberg-Petermann group and that this subfamily is in general only a cocycle. Since the algebraic structure of the Stueckelberg-Petermann group does not depend on global quantities, this group can be formulated in the (algebraic) adiabatic limit without meeting any infrared divergencies. In particular we derive an algebraic version of the Callan-Symanzik equation and define the beta-function in a state independent way.

math-ph↗

Quantum Field Theory on Curved Backgrounds

We review the status of (scalar) quantum field theory on curved spacetimes using a novel formulation in terms of non linear functionals over the smooth configuration fields. In particular, this entails also a new foundation of locally covariant classical field theory. For all that, methods from microlocal analysis combined with some methods from global analysis, namely differentiation on locally convex spaces, and category theory are crucially employed.

gr-qc↗

Exact Solution of Strongly Interacting Quasi-One-Dimensional Spinor Bose Gases

We present an exact analytical solution of the fundamental system of quasi-one-dimensional spin-1 bosons with infinite delta-repulsion. The eigenfunctions are constructed from the wave functions of non-interacting spinless fermions, based on Girardeau's Fermi-Bose mapping, and from the wave functions of distinguishable spins. We show that the spinor bosons behave like a compound of non-interacting spinless fermions and non-interacting distinguishable spins. This duality is especially reflected in the spin densities and the energy spectrum. We find that the momentum distribution of the eigenstates depends on the symmetry of the spin function. Furthermore, we discuss the splitting of the ground state multiplet in the regime of large but finite repulsion.

cond-mat.other↗

The time slice axiom in perturbative quantum field theory on globally hyperbolic spacetimes

The time slice axiom states that the observables which can be measured within an arbitrarily small time interval suffice to predict all other observables. While well known for free field theories where the validity of the time slice axiom is an immediate consequence of the field equation it was not known whether it also holds in generic interacting theories, the only exception being certain superrenormalizable models in 2 dimensions. In this paper we prove that the time slice axiom holds at least for scalar field theories within formal renormalized perturbation theory.

math-ph↗