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Roberto Longo

Publications and source records attributed to Roberto Longo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

A Quantum Dominant Energy Condition

We propose a quantum dominant energy condition (QDEC) for the stress tensor in the context of quantum field theory in curved spacetimes. A rigorous proof is given for the case of Rindler wedges, and a heuristic discussion about possible generalizations to more general geometric setups, including curved spacetime, is provided. In Minkowski spacetime, we establish a connection with state recovery bounds. We illustrate the QDEC for coherent states of the free scalar field, where it turns out to be related to the ordinary DEC for the stress tensor of the classical solution that defines the coherent state.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2026

Bekenstein's bound for wave packets

Let $B$ be a spatial region of width $2R$ and $\Phi$ a Klein-Gordon wave packet localized in $B$ at time zero. We show the inequality $S \leq 2\pi R E$; here, $S$ is the entropy of $\Phi$ contained in a region $B$, and $E$ is the energy content of $\Phi$ within $B$. We consider a wider setting and formulate a variational problem aimed at minimizing our bound when $\Phi$ is not localized in $B$. Our inequality holds in more generality in the framework of local, Poincar\'e covariant nets of standard subspaces and is related to the Bekenstein inequality. We point out a general bound that is compatible with the recent numerical computations by Bostelmann, Cadamuro, and Minz concerning the one-particle modular Hamiltonian of a scalar massive quantum Klein-Gordon field. We also provide a version of the entropy balance and ant formulas for wave packets.

math-ph↗
arXiv2025

Increasing the Diversity in RGB-to-Thermal Image Translation for Automotive Applications

Thermal imaging in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) improves road safety with superior perception in low-light and harsh weather conditions compared to traditional RGB cameras. However, research in this area faces challenges due to limited dataset availability and poor representation in driving simulators. RGB-to-thermal image translation offers a potential solution, but existing methods focus on one-to-one mappings. We propose a one-to-many mapping using a multi-modal translation framework enhanced with our Component-aware Adaptive Instance Normalization (CoAdaIN). Unlike the original AdaIN, which applies styles globally, CoAdaIN adapts styles to different image components individually. The result, as we show, is more realistic and diverse thermal image translations. This is the accepted author manuscript of the paper published in IEEE Sensors Conference 2024. The final published version is available at 10.1109/SENSORS60989.2024.10785056.

cs.CV↗
arXiv2025

A New Proof of the QNEC

We give a simplified proof of the quantum null energy condition (QNEC). Our proof is based on an explicit formula for the shape derivative of the relative entropy, with respect to an entangling cut. It allows bypassing the analytic continuation arguments of a previous proof by Ceyhan and Faulkner and can be used e.g., for defining entropy current fluctuations.

hep-th↗
arXiv2025

Bekenstein Bound for Approximately Local Charged States

We generalize the energy-entropy ratio inequality in quantum field theory (QFT) established by one of us from localized states to a larger class of states. The states considered in this paper can be in a charged (non-vacuum) representation of the QFT or may be only approximately localized in the region under consideration. Our inequality is $S(\Psi |\!| \Omega) \le 2\pi R \, ( \Psi, H_\rho \Psi ) + \log d(\rho) + \varepsilon$, where $S$ is the relative entropy, where $R$ is a "radius" (width) characterizing the size of the region, $d(\rho)$ is the statistical (quantum) dimension of the given charged sector $\rho$ hosting the quantum state $\Psi$, $\Omega$ is the vacuum state, $H_\rho$ is the Hamiltonian in the charged sector, and $\varepsilon$ is a tolerance measuring the deviation of $\Psi$ from the vacuum according to observers in the causal complement of the region.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

A Bekenstein-type bound in QFT

Let B be a spacetime region of width 2R > 0, and \phi a vector state localized in B. We show that the vacuum relative entropy of \phi, on the local von Neumann algebra of B, is bounded by 2\pi R-times the energy of the state \phi in B. This bound is model-independent and rigorous; it follows solely from first principles in the framework of translation covariant, local Quantum Field Theory on the Minkowski spacetime.

math-ph↗
arXiv2024

Modular invariance as completeness

We review the physical meaning of modular invariance for unitary conformal quantum field theories in d=2. For QFT models, while T invariance is necessary for locality, S invariance is not mandatory. S invariance is a form of completeness of the theory that has a precise meaning as Haag duality for arbitrary multi-interval regions. We present a mathematical proof as well as derive this result from a physical standpoint using Renyi entropies and the replica trick. For rational CFT's, the failure of modular invariance or Haag duality can be measured by an index, related to the quantum dimensions of the model. We show how to compute this index from the modular transformation matrices. The index also appears in a limit of the Renyi mutual informations. Cases of infinite index are briefly discussed. Part of the argument can be extended to higher dimensions, where the lack of completeness can also be diagnosed using the CFT data through the thermal partition function and measured by an index.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

An entropy bound due to symmetries

Let $H$ be a local net of real Hilbert subspaces of a complex Hilbert space on the family of double cones of the spacetime $\mathbb{R}^{d+1}$, covariant with respect to a positive energy, unitary representation $U$ of the Poincar\'e group, with the Bisognano-Wichmann property for the wedge modular group. We set an upper bound on the local entropy $S_H(\phi|\! | C)$ of a vector in a region $C$ that depends only on $U$ and the PCT anti-unitary canonically associated with $H$. A similar result holds for local, M\"obius covariant nets of standard subspaces on the circle. We compute the entropy increase and illustrate this bound for the nets associated with the $U(1)$-current derivatives.

math.OA↗
arXiv2023

Signal communication and modular theory

We propose a conceptual frame to interpret the prolate differential operator, which appears in Communication Theory, as an entropy operator; indeed, we write its expectation values as a sum of terms, each subject to an entropy reading by an embedding suggested by Quantum Field Theory. This adds meaning to the classical work by Slepian et al. on the problem of simultaneously concentrating a function and its Fourier transform, in particular to the ``lucky accident" that the truncated Fourier transform commutes with the prolate operator. The key is the notion of entropy of a vector of a complex Hilbert space with respect to a real linear subspace, recently introduced by the author by means of the Tomita-Takesaki modular theory of von Neumann algebras. We consider a generalization of the prolate operator to the higher dimensional case and show that it admits a natural extension commuting with the truncated Fourier transform; this partly generalizes the one-dimensional result by Connes to the effect that there exists a natural selfadjoint extension to the full line commuting with the truncated Fourier transform.

math.OA↗
arXiv2022

An Algebra of Observables for de Sitter Space

We describe an algebra of observables for a static patch in de Sitter space, with operators gravitationally dressed to the worldline of an observer. The algebra is a von Neumann algebra of Type II$_1$. There is a natural notion of entropy for a state of such an algebra. There is a maximum entropy state, which corresponds to empty de Sitter space, and the entropy of any semiclassical state of the Type II$_1$ algebras agrees, up to an additive constant independent of the state, with the expected generalized entropy $S_{\text{gen}}=(A/4G_N)+S_{\text{out}}$. An arbitrary additive constant is present because of the renormalization that is involved in defining entropy for a Type II$_1$ algebra.

hep-th↗
arXiv2022

A note on continuous entropy

Von Neumann entropy has a natural extension to the case of an arbitrary semifinite von Neumann algebra, as was considered by I. E. Segal. We relate this entropy to the relative entropy and show that the entropy increase for an inclusion of von Neumann factors is bounded by the logarithm of the Jones index. The bound is optimal if the factors are infinite dimensional.

math-ph↗
arXiv2021

Modular structure of the Weyl algebra

We study the modular Hamiltonian associated with a Gaussian state on the Weyl algebra. We obtain necessary/sufficient criteria for the local equivalence of Gaussian states, independently of the classical results by Araki and Yamagami, Van Daele, Holevo. We then present a criterion for a Bogoliubov automorphism to be weakly inner in the GNS representation. We also describe the vacuum modular Hamiltonian associated with a time-zero interval in the scalar, massless, free QFT in two spacetime dimensions, thus complementing the recent results in higher space dimensions. In particular, we have the formula for the local entropy of a one-dimensional massless wave packet and Araki's vacuum relative entropy of a coherent state on a double cone von Neumann algebra.

math-ph↗
arXiv2021

Relative entropy and curved spacetimes

Given any half-sided modular inclusion of standard subspaces, we show that the entropy function associated with the decreasing one-parameter family of translated standard subspaces is convex for any given (not necessarily smooth) vector in the underlying Hilbert space. In second quantisation, this infers the convexity of the vacuum relative entropy with respect to the translation parameter of the modular tunnel of von Neumann algebras. This result allows us to study the QNEC inequality for coherent states in a free Quantum Field Theory on a stationary curved spacetime, given a KMS state. To this end, we define wedge regions and appropriate (deformed) subregions. Examples are given by the Schwarzschild spacetime and null translated subregions with respect to the time translation Killing flow. More generally, we define wedge and stripe regions on a globally hyperbolic spacetime, so to have non trivial modular inclusions of von Neumann algebras, and make our analysis in this context.

math-ph↗
arXiv2020

The massless modular Hamiltonian

We compute the vacuum local modular Hamiltonian associated with a space ball region in the free scalar massless Quantum Field Theory. We give an explicit expression on the one particle Hilbert space in terms of the higher dimensional Legendre differential operator. The quadratic form of the massless modular Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of an integral of the energy density with the parabolic distribution. We then get the formula for the local entropy of a wave packet. This gives the vacuum relative entropy of a coherent state on the double cone von Neumann algebras associated with the free scalar QFT. Among other points, we provide the passivity characterisation of the modular Hamiltonian within the standard subspace setup.

math-ph↗
arXiv2019

Von Neumann Entropy in QFT

In the framework of Quantum Field Theory, we provide a rigorous, operator algebraic notion of entanglement entropy associated with a pair of open double cones $O \subset \tilde O$ of the spacetime, where the closure of $O$ is contained in $\tilde O$. Given a QFT net $A$ of local von Neumann algebras $A(O)$, we consider the von Neumann entropy $S_A(O, \tilde O)$ of the restriction of the vacuum state to the canonical intermediate type $I$ factor for the inclusion of von Neumann algebras $A(O)\subset A(\tilde O)$ (split property). We show that this canonical entanglement entropy $S_A(O, \tilde O)$ is finite for the chiral conformal net on the circle generated by finitely many free Fermions (here double cones are intervals). To this end, we first study the notion of von Neumann entropy of a closed real linear subspace of a complex Hilbert space, that we then estimate for the local free fermion subspaces. We further consider the lower entanglement entropy $\underline S_A(O, \tilde O)$, the infimum of the vacuum von Neumann entropy of $F$, where $F$ here runs over all the intermediate, discrete type $I$ von Neumann algebras. We prove that $\underline S_A(O, \tilde O)$ is finite for the local chiral conformal net generated by finitely many commuting $U(1)$-currents.

math-ph↗
arXiv2019

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.

hep-th↗
arXiv2019

The information in a wave

We provide the notion of entropy for a classical Klein-Gordon real wave, that we derive as particular case of a notion entropy for a vector in a Hilbert space with respect to a real linear subspace. We then consider a localised automorphism on the Rindler spacetime, in the context of a free neutral Quantum Field Theory, that is associated with a second quantised wave, and we explicitly compute its entropy $S$, that turns out to be given by the entropy of the associated classical wave. Here $S$ is defined as the relative entropy between the Rindler vacuum state and the corresponding sector state (coherent state). By $\lambda$-translating the Rindler spacetime into itself along the upper null horizon, we study the behaviour of the corresponding entropy $S(\lambda)$. In particular, we show that the QNEC inequality in the form $\frac{d^2}{d\lambda^2}S(\lambda)\geq 0$ holds true for coherent states, because $\frac{d^2}{d\lambda^2}S(\lambda)$ is the integral along the space horizon of a manifestly non-negative quantity, the component of the stress-energy tensor in the null upper horizon direction.

math-ph↗