2024 Fall, Topics in Operator Algebras: Algebraic Conformal Field Theory

• Course language: Chinese

• Time: Friday 9:50-12:15

• Location: 六教6B312

• Course Videos

Course description

In this course, we study 2d conformal field theory (CFT) in the framework of algebraic quantum field theory (AQFT). In AQFT, a quantum field theory is formulated as a family of operator algebras acting on a fixed Hilbert space H satisfying certain axioms. In this setting, we will construct rigorous models of 2d chiral CFT. Our first main goal is to give rigorous proofs for the PCT symmetry of these models, the Bisognano-Wichmann theorem (which relates the dilation symmetry and the PCT symmetry to the Tomita-Takesaki theory of von Neumann algebras), and the Haag duality. Our second goal (if time permits) is to construct braided tensor categories from these models, and explain how these constructions are related to Jones’ subfactor theory.

We assume that the readers are familiar with the basic Hilbert space techniques such as the spectral theorem of bounded self-adjoint operators. Some familiarty with the basic notion of unbounded closed operators is also helpful. Important theorems about unbounded operators (spectral theorem, polar decomposition, Borel functional calculus, Stone’s theorem) and probably their proofs will be reviewed in class. The reference for this part is:

Notes ST: Spectral Theory for Strongly Commuting Normal Closed Operators

Lecture notes

Notes ACFT: Topics in Operator Algebras: Algebraic Conformal Field Theory

Schedule

• 9/13 Introduction to the CPT symmetry in QFT, and its relationship to the Tomita-Takesaki theory in operator algebras. (Notes ACFT, Sec. 1)

• 9/20 Spectral theorem and Borel functional calculus for adjointly commuting bounded normal operators. Basics of unbounded operators. Spectral theorem for unbounded positive operators. (Notes ST, Sec. 2-4)

• 9/27 Uniqueness of positive square roots. Polar decomposition. Strong commutativity. (Notes ST, Sec. 4 (last lemma)-Sec. 6)

• 10/11 Strong commutativity, spectral theorem for strongly commuting normal closed operators. (Notes ST, Sec. 6, 7)

• 10/18 Bounding projections, unbounded Borel functional calculus. (Notes ST, Sec. 8, 9)

• 10/25 2d Conformal field theory. Introduction to the mathematical theory of chiral fields. (Notes ACFT, Sec. 2, Subsec. 3.1-3.4)

• 11/1 Local fields. (Notes ACFT, Subsec. 3.5-3.13)

• 11/8 Chiral algebras and examples, energy-bounded fields, smeared fields. (Notes ACFT, Subsec. 3.14-3.15, 4.1-4.5)

• 11/15 Criteria for energy bounds, product of smeared fields. (Notes ACFT, Subsec. 4.6-4.12) Stone’s theorem. (Notes ST, Sec. 10)

• 11/22

• 11/29

• 12/6

• 12/13

• 12/20

• 12/27

References (to be expanded)

Books and monographs

• Haag. Local Quantum Physics

• Halvorson, Müger. Algebraic Quantum Field Theory

• Gui. Lectures on Vertex Operator Algebras and Conformal Blocks

Articles

• Rehren (2015). Algebraic conformal quantum field theory in perspective

• Buchholz, Schulz-Mirbach (1990). Haag duality in conformal quantum field theory