Abstract
Quantum fields propagating on a curved spacetime are investigated in terms of microlocal analysis. We discuss a condition on the wave front set for the correspondingn-point distributions, called “microlocal spectrum condition” (μSC). On Minkowski space, this condition is satisfied as a consequence of the usual spectrum condition. Based on Radzikowski's determination of the wave front set of the two-point function of a free scalar field, satisfying the Hadamard condition in the Kay and Wald sense, we construct in the second part of this paper all Wick polynomials including the energy-momentum tensor for this field as operator valued distributions on the manifold and prove that they satisfy our “microlocal spectrum condition”.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
[Bor62] Borchers, H.J.: On the structure of the algebra of the field operators. Nuovo Cimento24, 214 (1962)
[DB60] DeWitt, B.S., Brehme, R.W.: Radiation damping in a gravitational field. Ann. Phys.9, 220–259 (1960)
[DH72] Duistermaat J.J., Hörmander, L.: Fourier integral operators II. Acta Math.128, 183 (1972)
[Dim80] Dimock, J.: Algebras of local observables on a manifold. Commun. Math. Phys.77, 219–228 (1980)
[Dim82] Dimock, J.: Dirac quantum fields on a manifold. Trans. Am. Math. Soc.269, 133–147 (1982)
[Dim92] Dimock, J.: Quantized electromagnetic field on a manifold. Rev. Math. Phys.4, 223–233 (1992)
[Dui73] Duistermaat, J.J.: Fourier Integral Operators. Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, 1973
[FH87] Fredenhagen, K., Haag, R.: Generally covariant quantum field theory and scaling limit. Commun. Math. Phys.108, 91 (1987)
[Fre92] Fredenhagen, K.: On the general theory of quantized fields. In: K. Schmüdgen, editor, Mathematical Physics X, Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1992, pp. 136–152
[FSW78] Fulling, S.A., Sweeny, M., Wald, R.M.: Singularity structure of the two-point function in quantum field theory in curved spacctime. Commun. Math. Phys.63, 257–264 (1978)
[Ful89] Fulling, S.A.: Aspects of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Space-Time. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989
[Haa92] Haag, R.: Local quantum physics: Fields, particles, algebras. Berlin: Springer, 1992
[Hep69] Hepp, K.: Théorie de la renormalisation. Number 2 in Lecture Notes in Physics. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 1969
[HK64] Haag, R., Kastler, D.: An algebraic approach to quantum field theory. J. Math. Phys.5, 848 (1964)
[HNS84] Haag, R., Narnhofer, H., Stein, U.: On quantum field theory in gravitational background. Commun. Math. Phys.94, 219–238 (1984)
[Hör71] Hörmander, L.: Fourier integral operators I. Acta Math.127, 79 (1971)
[Hör83] Hörmander, L.: The Analysis of Linear Partial Differential Operators I. Berlin: Springer, 1983
[Jun95] Junker, W.: Adiabatic vacua and Hadamard states for scalar quantum fields on curved spacetimes. PhD thesis, University of Hamburg, 1995
[Köh95] Köhler, M.: New examples for Wightman fields on a manifold. Class. Quant. Grav.12, 1413–1427 (1995)
[KW91] Kay, B.S., Wald, R.M.: Theorems on the uniqueness and thermal properties of stationary, nonsingular, quasifree states on spacetimes with a bifurcate killing horizon. Phys. Rep.207(2) 49–136 (1991)
[Rad92] Radzikowski, M.J.: The Hadamard condition and Kay's conjecture in (axiomatic) quantum field theory on curved space-time. PhD thesis, Princeton University, October 1992
[Sat69] Sato, M.: Hyperfunctions and partial differential equations. In Proc. Int. Conf. on Funct. Anal. and Rel. Topics. Tokyo: Tokyo University Press, 1969, pp. 91–94
[Sat70] Sato, M.: Regularity of hyperfunction solution of partial differential equations. Actes Congr. Int. Matl Nice2, 785–794 (1970)
[Uh162] Uhlmann, A.: Über die Definition der Quantenfelder nach Wightman und Haag. Wiss. Zeitschrift Karl Marx Univ.11, 213 (1962)
[Ver94] Verch, R.: Local definiteness, primarity and quasiequivalence of quasifree Hadamard quantum states in curved spacetime. Commun. Math. Phys.160, 507–536 (1994)
[Wal78] Wald, R.M.: Trace anomaly of a conformally invariant quantum field in curved spacetime. Phys. Rev. D17(6), 1477–1484 (1978)
[Wa194] Wald, R.M.: Quantum field theory in curved spacetime and black hole thermodynamics. Chicago lectures in physics. Chicago, USA: Univ. Chicago Press, 1994
[WG64] Wightman, A.S., Gårding, L.: Fields as operator valued distributions in relativistie quantum theory. Ark. Fys,23(13) 1964
[Wo192] Wollenberg, M.: Scaling limits and type of local algebras over curved spacetime. In: W.B. Arveson et al., editors. Operator algebras and topology. Putman Research notes in Mathematics270, Harlow: Longman, 1992
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brunetti, R., Fredenhagen, K. & Köhler, M. The microlocal spectrum condition and Wick polynomials of free fields on curved spacetimes. Commun.Math. Phys. 180, 633–652 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02099626
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02099626