Role of Dilations in Diffeomorphism-Covariant Algebraic Quantum Field Theory

Abstract

A generalization of algebraic quantum field theory on differentiable manifoldsis given in terms of nets of *-algebras over open sets of the manifold. The presentinvestigations are motivated by diffeomorphism invariance and finite localizationas they appear, e.g., in quantum gravity. A possible generalization of Haag-Kastleraxioms for differentiable manifolds is discussed and a minimal framework basedon isotony, covariance, and a state-dependent GNS construction is presented.Possible adaptions of Haag's commutant duality are discussed in a specific settingof one-parameter families of finite and nondegenerate nested localization domainsof the net, with universal minimal and maximal algebras for the small and largelimits of the net, respectively. For von Neumann algebras the modular group isdiscussed. The geometric interpretation of a one-parameter subgroup of outerisomorphisms is related to dilations of the open sets of the net.