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Geometric significance of modular objects for non-conformally covariant quantum fields

Determine whether the Tomita–Takesaki modular conjugation J and modular automorphism group Δ associated with the local von Neumann algebra N(O) and the vacuum vector Ω in algebraic quantum field theory possess a geometric action for non-conformally covariant quantum fields, and, if so, characterize the corresponding spacetime transformations (analogous to Lorentz boosts for wedges or conformal transformations for double cones).

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Background

In Minkowski spacetime, the Bisognano–Wichmann theorem identifies the Tomita–Takesaki modular group for wedge algebras with Lorentz boosts, providing a clear geometric meaning to the modular objects in that setting. For conformally covariant theories, Hislop–Longo showed that modular objects associated with double cones implement conformal transformations; this has also been extended to de Sitter spacetime.

However, beyond the conformal case, it is unresolved whether the modular conjugation and modular flow for local algebras N(O) with vacuum Ω continue to admit a geometric interpretation for general (non-conformally covariant) quantum field theories. Establishing or refuting such geometric modular action would clarify the scope of modular covariance beyond the currently known cases.

References

The question if the Tomita-Takesaki modular objects of $\mathsf{N}(O)$, $\Omega$ have geometric significance for non-conformally covariant quantum fields is a longstanding question.

Lecture Notes on Operator Algebras and Quantum Field Theory (2507.00900 - Verch, 1 Jul 2025) in Remarks, Section 2.3 (Borchers’ Theorem)