Theory HEP Seminar

Entropies, Algebras, and UV Fixed Points

Jonathan Sorce

MIT

The algebraic perspective on quantum theory has recently been applied to understand aspects of generalized entropy in semiclassical quantum gravity. In this (very speculative!) talk, I will discuss a suite of related ideas that I think can be used to push the algebraic framework further in pursuit of exciting new physics. In many of these projects, a key role is played by figuring out how to put the assumption of a UV fixed point into the framework of algebraic quantum field theory. The main body of the talk will be spent explaining ongoing work with Kristan Jensen and Antony Speranza on extending the crossed-product construction of Witten et al to general subregions in the small-G_N limit of semiclassical gravity. Time permitting, I may also discuss some of the following: (i) the operational (i.e. information-theoretic) interpretation of generalized entropy; (ii) the algebraic structure of the large-N limit in holography; (iii) locality of modular flow and what it tells us about quantum field theory; (iv) the achronal averaged null energy condition.