The operator product expansion for perturbative quantum field theory in curved spacetime

DOI10.1007/S00220-007-0230-6MaRDI QIDQ2385033zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Stefan Hollands

Publication date 11 October 2007

Published in Communications in Mathematical Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0605072

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Applications of operator algebras to the sciences (47L90) Axiomatic quantum field theory; operator algebras (81T05) Perturbative methods of renormalization applied to problems in quantum field theory (81T15) Quantum field theory on curved space or space-time backgrounds (81T20)

Abstract: We present an algorithm for constructing the Wilson operator product expansion (OPE) for perturbative interacting quantum field theory in general Lorentzian curved spacetimes, to arbitrary orders in perturbation theory. The remainder in this expansion is shown to go to zero at short distances in the sense of expectation values in arbitrary Hadamard states. We also establish a number of general properties of the OPE coefficients: (a) they only depend (locally and covariantly) upon the spacetime metric and coupling constants, (b) they satisfy an associativity property, (c) they satisfy a renormalization group equation, (d) they satisfy a certain microlocal wave front set condition, (e) they possess a ``scaling expansion. The latter means that each OPE coefficient can be written as a sum of terms, each of which is the product of a curvature polynomial at a spacetime point, times a Lorentz invariant Minkowski distribution in the tangent space of that point. The algorithm is illustrated in an example.

Review text

With the two previous relevant communications \textit{S. Hollands, R. M. Wald}, [Commun. Math. Phys. 231, No.~2, 309--345 (2002; Zbl 1015.81043) and Commun. Math. Phys. 223, No.~2, 289--326 (2001; Zbl 0989.81081)], the author of the paper under review and \textit{R. M. Wald} have started a very interesting program devoted to the systematically tackling of peculiar problems arising in the perturbative construction of interacting QFTs in curved spacetimes. In the first paper they showed, in fact, how a local covariance requirement allows for the effective reduction of the renormalizability ambiguities that affect such QFTs, while with the second paper they addressed the existence of time-ordered products of covariant Wick-powers of free scalar field in curved spacetimes, thus providing an insight into a basic tool for the perturbative treatment of the nonlinear field theories. Essential motivations and support to these works can be traced back to arguments of [\textit{R. Brunetti} and \textit{K. Fredenhagen}, Commun. Math. Phys. 208, No.~3, 623--661 (2000; Zbl 1040.81067)] (see also [\textit{R. Brunetti, K. Fredenhagen} and \textit{R. Verch}, Commun. Math. Phys. 237, No.~1--2, 31--68 (2003; Zbl 1047.81052)]). In the paper under consideration here, the author adds further elements to the issue by presenting an algorithm for constructing OPE in perturbation theory for the interacting QFT associated with a single hermitian scalar field in four-dimensional Lorentian spacetime with renormalizable interaction. The retarded products needed to compute OPE coefficient to given order in perturbation theory and given accurancy are computed by resorting to the procedure already devised by the author and Wald in the aforementioned works. The author next establishes and elucidates some essential properties of expansion coefficients, such as a microlocal spectrum condition, the local and covariant dependence upon the spacetime metric and coupling constants, and associativity. The OPE coefficients are also shown to be expandible for asymptotically small distances in terms of curvature terms and Minkowski distributions in spacetime tangent space. In this respect, it is due to point out that the scaling expansion discussed here is more general than that which can be found in the second of the Hollands-Wald references mentioned above. Minkowski distributions are extracted from OPE coefficient by taking residues of its Mellin-transform. The explicit application of the proposed method to the determination of the coefficient in the triple product of interacting fields up to first order in perturbation theory, and when all points are scaled together at the same rate, is eventually accomplished.

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Cited in

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