Twisted covariance as a non-invariant restriction of the fully covariant DFR model (Q964470): Difference between revisions

The author focuses on a particular class of simplified models of a flat quantized space-time and considers the commutation relations \[ [q_{\theta}^{\mu} , q_{\theta}^{\nu}] = i \theta^{\mu\nu} \tag{1} \] among the self-adjoint space-time coordinates \(q_{\theta}^0, q_{\theta}^1, q_{\theta}^2, q_{\theta}^3\) for some real non-degenerate anti-symmetric matrix \(\theta\). The above relations are understood as a quantization of the 4-dimensional Minkowski space-time. Interest in these relations was initially fueled by \textit{S. Doplicher, K. Fredenhagen} and \textit{J. E. Roberts} [Commun. Math. Phys. 172, No.~1, 187--220 (1995; Zbl 0847.53051)], where two Lorentz invariant conditions were imposed on the admissible matrices \(\theta\) and the DFR conditions were deduced from a stability principle for the quantized space-time under localization. Together with a fixed \(\theta\), the author considers its orbit under Lorentz transformations, which is precisely the family of all anti-symmetric matrices fulfilling the DFR conditions. Equation (1) gives rise to the distinct models such as the reduced DFR model, the twisted covariant model and the DFR model. Note that the DFR model fits comfortably into the deformation quantization framework developed in [\textit{M. A. Rieffel}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 506 (1993; Zbl 0798.46053)]. The author shows that the twisted covariant model and the reduced DFR model are equivalent, that \(\theta\) must be thought of as a tensor, that the reduced DFR model can be obtained from the full DFR model up to rejecting a huge non-invariant class of otherwise admissible localization states and that \(\theta\)-universality does not play any crucial role in some recent approaches to quantum field theory. The results should raise some concerns about speculations on possible observable consequences of arbitrary choices of \(\theta\) in arbitrarily selected privileged frames.