Kasia Rejzner (York) “Causality in the modern approach to foundations of quantum field theory”

Abstract. According to the present state of knowledge, the Universe in small scales is described by the laws of quantum theory. On the other hand, the fundamental theory of gravity is believed to be Einstein’s relativity. Its effects become relevant when we consider large masses or (equivalently) large energies. One of the main features of Einstein’s theory is the fact that the information cannot travel faster than light, so observations performed in spatially disjoined regions have to be independent. On the other hand, quantum mechanics tells us about the existence of entanglement. The fundamental question how to combine the principles of special relativity with quantum mechanics has lead to the invention of quantum field theory (QFT). In this talk I will focus on the algebraic approach to QFT, which allows to study foundational problems and underlying mathematical structures. In particular, I would like to discuss the notion of Einstein causality in quantum theory and show how it can be formulated using modern mathematical tools.

Kasa Rejzner is a lecturer in mathematics at the University of York working the mathematical foundations of physics.