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A local-to-global singularity theorem for quantum field theory on curved space-time

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Abstract

We prove that if a reference two-point distribution of positive type on a time orientable curved space-time (CST) satisfies a certain condition on its wave front set (the “classP M,g condition”) and if any other two-point distribution (i) is of positive type, (ii) has the same antisymmetric part as the reference modulo smooth function and (iii) has the same local singularity structure, then it has the same global singularity structure. In the proof we use a smoothing, positivity-preserving pseudo-differential operator the support of whose symbol is restricted to a certain conic region which depends on the wave front set of the reference state. This local-to-global theorem, together with results published elsewhere, leads to a verification of a conjecture by Kay that for quasi-free states of the Klein-Gordon quantum field on a globally hyperbolic CST, the local Hadamard condition implies the global Hadamard condition. A counterexample to the local-to-global theorem on a strip in Minkowski space is given when the classP M,g condition is not assumed.

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Author notes

  1. Marek J. Radzikowski

    Present address: Department of Mathematics, University of Toronto, M5S 3G3, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, TX, USA

    Marek J. Radzikowski

  2. Department of Mathematics, University of York, Heslington, YO1 5DD, York, UK

    Marek J. Radzikowski

  3. II. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Hamburg, D-22761, Hamburg, Germany

    Rainer Verch

Authors
  1. Marek J. Radzikowski
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  2. Rainer Verch
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Communicated by G. Felder

To a special friend, who saved my life when I was younger, without whom I could not have written this paper.

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Radzikowski, M.J., Verch, R. A local-to-global singularity theorem for quantum field theory on curved space-time. Commun.Math. Phys. 180, 1–22 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02101180

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02101180

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