arXiv subjects

Roberto Longo

Publications and source records attributed to Roberto Longo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Split property for free massless finite helicity fields

We prove the split property for any finite helicity free quantum fields. Finite helicity Poincaré representations extend to the conformal group and the conformal covariance plays an essential role in the argument. The split property is ensured by the trace class condition: Tr (exp(-s L_0)) is finite for all s>0 where L_0 is the conformal Hamiltonian of the Möbius covariant restriction of the net on the time axis. We extend the argument for the scalar case presented in [7]. We provide the direct sum decomposition into irreducible representations of the conformal extension of any helicity-h representation to the subgroup of transformations fixing the time axis. Our analysis provides new relations among finite helicity representations and suggests a new construction for representations and free quantum fields with non-zero helicity.

math-ph↗

arXiv2019

Entropy of Coherent Excitations

We provide a rigorous, explicit formula for the vacuum relative entropy of a coherent state on wedge local von Neumann algebras associated with a free, neutral quantum field theory on the Minkowski spacetime of arbitrary spacetime dimension. We consider charges localised on the time zero hyperplane, possibly crossing the boundary.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

From vertex operator algebras to conformal nets and back

We consider unitary simple vertex operator algebras whose vertex operators satisfy certain energy bounds and a strong form of locality and call them strongly local. We present a general procedure which associates to every strongly local vertex operator algebra V a conformal net A_V acting on the Hilbert space completion of V and prove that the isomorphism class of A_V does not depend on the choice of the scalar product on V. We show that the class of strongly local vertex operator algebras is closed under taking tensor products and unitary subalgebras and that, for every strongly local vertex operator algebra V, the map W\mapsto A_W gives a one-to-one correspondence between the unitary subalgebras W of V and the covariant subnets of A_V. Many known examples of vertex operator algebras such as the unitary Virasoro vertex operator algebras, the unitary affine Lie algebras vertex operator algebras, the known c=1 unitary vertex operator algebras, the moonshine vertex operator algebra, together with their coset and orbifold subalgebras, turn out to be strongly local. We give various applications of our results. In particular we show that the even shorter Moonshine vertex operator algebra is strongly local and that the automorphism group of the corresponding conformal net is the Baby Monster group. We prove that a construction of Fredenhagen and Jörss gives back the strongly local vertex operator algebra V from the conformal net A_V and give conditions on a conformal net A implying that A= A_V for some strongly local vertex operator algebra V.

math.OA↗

arXiv2018

Rotational KMS states and type I conformal nets

We consider KMS states on a local conformal net on the unit circle with respect to rotations. We prove that, if the conformal net is of type I, namely if it admits only type I DHR representations, then the extremal KMS states are the Gibbs states in an irreducible representation. Completely rational nets, the U(1)-current net, the Virasoro nets and their finite tensor products are shown to be of type I. In the completely rational case, we also give a direct proof that all factorial KMS states are Gibbs states.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Entropy distribution of localised states

We study the geometric distribution of the relative entropy of a charged localised state in Quantum Field Theory. With respect to translations, the second derivative of the vacuum relative entropy is zero out of the charge localisation support and positive in mean over the support of any single charge. For a spatial strip, the asymptotic mean entropy density is $πE$, with $E$ the corresponding vacuum charge energy. In a conformal QFT, for a charge in a ball of radius $r$, the relative entropy is non linear, the asymptotic mean radial entropy density is $πE$ and Bekenstein's bound is satisfied. We also study the null deformation case. We construct, operator algebraically, a positive selfadjoint operator that may be interpreted as the deformation generator, we thus get a rigorous form of the Averaged Null Energy Condition that holds in full generality. In the one dimensional conformal $U(1)$-current model, we give a complete and explicit description of the entropy distribution of a localised charged state in all points of the real line; in particular, the second derivative of the relative entropy is strictly positive in all points where the charge density is non zero, thus the Quantum Null Energy Condition holds here for these states and is not saturated in these points.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Minimal index and dimension for 2-$C^*$-categories with finite-dimensional centers

In the first part of this paper, we give a new look at inclusions of von Neumann algebras with finite-dimensional centers and finite Jones' index. The minimal conditional expectation is characterized by means of a canonical state on the relative commutant, that we call the spherical state; the minimal index is neither additive nor multiplicative (it is submultiplicative), contrary to the subfactor case. So we introduce a matrix dimension with the good functorial properties: it is always additive and multiplicative. The minimal index turns out to be the square of the norm of the matrix dimension, as was known in the multi-matrix inclusion case. In the second part, we show how our results are valid in a purely 2-$C^*$-categorical context, in particular they can be formulated in the framework of Connes' bimodules over von Neumann algebras.

math.OA↗

arXiv2018

Comment on the Bekenstein bound

We propose a rigorous derivation of the Bekenstein upper limit for the entropy/information that can be contained by a physical system in a given finite region of space with given finite energy. The starting point is the observation that the derivation of such a bound provided by Casini [6] is similar to the description of the black hole incremental free energy that had been given by the first named author [23]. The approach here is different but close in the spirit to [6]. Our bound is obtained by operator algebraic methods, in particular Connes' bimodules, Tomita-Takesaki modular theory and Jones' index are essential ingredients inasmuch as the von Neumann algebras in question are typically of type III. We rely on the general mathematical framework, recently set up in [26], concerning quantum information of infinite systems.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

On Landauer's principle and bound for infinite systems

Landauer's principle provides a link between Shannon's information entropy and Clausius' thermodynamical entropy. We set up here a basic formula for the incremental free energy of a quantum channel, possibly relative to infinite systems, naturally arising by an Operator Algebraic point of view. By the Tomita-Takesaki modular theory, we can indeed describe a canonical evolution associated with a quantum channel state transfer. Such evolution is implemented both by a modular Hamiltonian and a physical Hamiltonian, the latter being determined by its functoriality properties. This allows us to make an intrinsic analysis, extending our QFT index formula, but without any a priori given dynamics; the associated incremental free energy is related to the logarithm of the Jones index and is thus quantised. This leads to a general lower bound for the incremental free energy of an irreversible quantum channel which is half of the Landauer bound, and to further bounds corresponding to the discrete series of the Jones index. In the finite dimensional context, or in the case of DHR charges in QFT, where the dimension is a positive integer, our lower bound agrees with Landauer's bound.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Relative Entropy in CFT

By using Araki's relative entropy, Lieb's convexity and the theory of singular integrals, we compute the mutual information associated with free fermions, and we deduce many results about entropies for chiral CFT's which are embedded into free fermions, and their extensions. Such relative entropies in CFT are here computed explicitly for the first time in a mathematical rigorous way. Our results agree with previous computations by physicists based on heuristic arguments; in addition we uncover a surprising connection with the theory of subfactors, in particular by showing that a certain duality, which is argued to be true on physical grounds, is in fact violated if the global dimension of the conformal net is greater than $1.$

math.OA↗

arXiv2017

Thermal States in Conformal QFT. II

We continue the analysis of the set of locally normal KMS states w.r.t. the translation group for a local conformal net A of von Neumann algebras on the real line. In the first part we have proved the uniqueness of KMS state on every completely rational net. In this second part, we exhibit several (non-rational) conformal nets which admit continuously many primary KMS states. We give a complete classification of the KMS states on the U(1)-current net and on the Virasoro net Vir_1 with the central charge c=1, whilst for the Virasoro net Vir_c with c>1 we exhibit a (possibly incomplete) list of continuously many primary KMS states. To this end, we provide a variation of the Araki-Haag-Kastler-Takesaki theorem within the locally normal system framework: if there is an inclusion of split nets A in B and A is the fixed point of B w.r.t. a compact gauge group, then any locally normal, primary KMS state on A extends to a locally normal, primary state on B, KMS w.r.t. a perturbed translation. Concerning the non-local case, we show that the free Fermi model admits a unique KMS state.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

Free products in AQFT

We apply the free product construction to various local algebras in algebraic quantum field theory. If we take the free product of infinitely many identical half-sided modular inclusions with ergodic canonical endomorphism, we obtain a half-sided modular inclusion with ergodic canonical endomorphism and trivial relative commutant. On the other hand, if we take Möbius covariant nets with trace class property, we are able to construct an inclusion of free product von Neumann algebras with large relative commutant, by considering either a finite family of identical inclusions or an infinite family of inequivalent inclusions. In two dimensional spacetime, we construct Borchers triples with trivial relative commutant by taking free products of infinitely many, identical Borchers triples. Free products of finitely many Borchers triples are possibly associated with Haag-Kastler net having S-matrix which is nontrivial and non asymptotically complete, yet the nontriviality of double cone algebras remains open.

math-ph↗

arXiv2016

Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics and Conformal Field Theory

We present a model independent, operator algebraic approach to non-equilibrium quantum thermodynamics within the framework of two-dimensional Conformal Field Theory. Two infinite reservoirs in equilibrium at their own temperatures and chemical potentials are put in contact through a defect line, possibly by inserting a probe. As time evolves, the composite system then approaches a non-equilibrium steady state that we describe. In particular, we re-obtain recent formulas of Bernard and Doyon.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Phase boundaries in algebraic conformal QFT

We study the structure of local algebras in relativistic conformal quantum field theory with phase boundaries. Phase boundaries are instances of a more general notion of boundaries that give rise to a variety of algebraic structures. These can be formulated in a common framework originating in Algebraic QFT, with the principle of Einstein Causality playing a prominent role.We classify the phase boundary conditions by the centre of a certain universal construction, which produces a reducible representation in which all possible boundary conditions are realized. For a large class of models, the classification reproduces results obtained in a different approach by Fuchs et al. before.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Where Infinite Spin Particles Are Localizable

Particles states transforming in one of the infinite spin representations of the Poincaré group (as classified by E. Wigner) are consistent with fundamental physical principles, but local fields generating them from the vacuum state cannot exist. While it is known that infinite spin states localized in a spacelike cone are dense in the one-particle space, we show here that the subspace of states localized in any double cone is trivial. This implies that the free field theory associated with infinite spin has no observables localized in bounded regions. In an interacting theory, if the vacuum vector is cyclic for a double cone local algebra, then the theory does not contain infinite spin representations. We also prove that if a Doplicher-Haag-Roberts representation (localized in a double cone) of a local net is covariant under a unitary representation of the Poincaré group containing infinite spin, then it has infinite statistics. These results hold under the natural assumption of the Bisognano-Wichmann property, and we give a counter-example (with continuous particle degeneracy) without this property where the conclusions fail. Our results hold true in any spacetime dimension s+1 where infinite spin representations exist, namely s > 1.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Characterization of 2D rational local conformal nets and its boundary conditions: the maximal case

Let $\mathcal{A}$ be a completely rational local Möbius covariant net on $S^1$, which describes a set of chiral observables. We show that local Möbius covariant nets $\mathcal{B}_2$ on 2D Minkowski space which contains $\mathcal{A}$ as chiral left-right symmetry are in one-to-one correspondence with Morita equivalence classes of Q-systems in the unitary modular tensor category $\mathrm{DHR}(\mathcal{A})$. The Möbius covariant boundary conditions with symmetry $\mathcal{A}$ of such a net $\mathcal{B}_2$ are given by the Q-systems in the Morita equivalence class or by simple objects in the module category modulo automorphisms of the dual category. We generalize to reducible boundary conditions. To establish this result we define the notion of Morita equivalence for Q-systems (special symmetric $\ast$-Frobenius algebra objects) and non-degenerately braided subfactors. We prove a conjecture by Kong and Runkel, namely that Rehren's construction (generalized Longo-Rehren construction, $α$-induction construction) coincides with the categorical full center. This gives a new view and new results for the study of braided subfactors.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Tensor categories and endomorphisms of von Neumann algebras (with applications to Quantum Field Theory)

Q-systems describe "extensions" of an infinite von Neumann factor $N$, i.e., finite-index unital inclusions of $N$ into another von Neumann algebra $M$. They are (special cases of) Frobenius algebras in the C* tensor category of endomorphisms of $N$. We review the relation between Q-systems, their modules and bimodules as structures in a category on one side, and homomorphisms between von Neumann algebras on the other side. We then elaborate basic operations with Q-systems (various decompositions in the general case, and the centre, the full centre, and the braided product in braided categories), and illuminate their meaning in the von Neumann algebra setting. The main applications are in local quantum field theory, where Q-systems in the subcategory of DHR endomorphisms of a local algebra encode extensions $A(O)\subset B(O)$ of local nets. These applications, notably in conformal quantum field theories with boundaries, are briefly exposed, and are discussed in more detail in two separate papers [arXiv:1405.7863, 1410.8848].

math.OA↗

arXiv2014

N=2 superconformal nets

We provide an Operator Algebraic approach to N=2 chiral Conformal Field Theory and set up the Noncommutative Geometric framework. Compared to the N=1 case, the structure here is much richer. There are naturally associated nets of spectral triples and the JLO cocycles separate the Ramond sectors. We construct the N=2 superconformal nets of von Neumann algebras in general, classify them in the discrete series c<3, and we define and study an operator algebraic version of the N=2 spectral flow. We prove the coset identification for the N=2 super-Virasoro nets with c<3, a key result whose equivalent in the vertex algebra context has seemingly not been completely proved so far. Finally, the chiral ring is discussed in terms of net representations.

math.OA↗

arXiv2014

Localization in Nets of Standard Spaces

Starting from a real standard subspace of a Hilbert space and a representation of the translation group with natural properties, we construct and analyze for each endomorphism of this pair a local, translationally covariant net of standard subspaces, on the lightray and on two-dimensional Minkowski space. These nets share many features with low-dimensional quantum field theory, described by corresponding nets of von Neumann algebras. Generalizing a result of Longo and Witten to two dimensions and massive multiplicity free representations, we characterize these endomorphisms in terms of specific analytic functions. Such a characterization then allows us to analyze the corresponding nets of standard spaces, and in particular compute their minimal localization length. The analogies and differences to the von Neumann algebraic situation are discussed.

math-ph↗