A positive quasilocal mass for causal variational principles

Finster F.

Finster F., Lottner M.

The existence theory is developed for solutions of the inhomogeneous linearized field equations for causal variational principles. These equations are formulated weakly with an integral operator which is shown to be bounded and symmetric on a Hilbert space endowed with a suitably adapted weighted $$L^2$$ -scalar product. Guided by the procedure in the theory of linear elliptic partial differential equations, we use the spectral calculus to define Sobolev-type Hilbert spaces and invert the linearized field operator as an operator between such function spaces. The uniqueness of the resulting weak solutions is analyzed. Our constructions are illustrated in simple explicit examples. The connection to the causal action principle for static causal fermion systems is explained.

Finster F., Kamran N.

It is shown for causal fermion systems describing Minkowski-type spacetimes that an interacting causal fermion system at time t gives rise to a distinguished state on the algebra generated by fermionic and bosonic field operators. The proof of positivity of the state is given, and representations are constructed.

Finster F., Lottner M.

A mathematical framework is developed for the analysis of causal fermion systems in the infinite-dimensional setting. It is shown that the regular spacetime point operators form a Banach manifold endowed with a canonical Fréchet-smooth Riemannian metric. The so-called expedient differential calculus is introduced with the purpose of treating derivatives of functions on Banach spaces which are differentiable only in certain directions. A chain rule is proven for Hölder continuous functions which are differentiable on expedient subspaces. These results are made applicable to causal fermion systems by proving that the causal Lagrangian is Hölder continuous. Moreover, Hölder continuity is analyzed for the integrated causal Lagrangian.

Finster F., Kamran N.

Finster F., Platzer A.

Finster F., Kraus M.

A local expansion is proposed for two-point distributions involving an ultraviolet regularization in a four-dimensional globally hyperbolic space-time. The regularization is described by an infinite number of functions which can be computed iteratively by solving transport equations along null geodesics. We show that the Cauchy evolution preserves the regularized Hadamard structure. The resulting regularized Hadamard expansion gives detailed and explicit information on the global dynamics of the regularization effects.

Finster F., Langer C.

Abstract We prove the existence of minimizers of causal variational principles on second countable, locally compact Hausdorff spaces. Moreover, the corresponding Euler–Lagrange equations are derived. The method is to first prove the existence of minimizers of the causal variational principle restricted to compact subsets for a lower semi-continuous Lagrangian. Exhausting the underlying topological space by compact subsets and rescaling the corresponding minimizers, we obtain a sequence which converges vaguely to a regular Borel measure of possibly infinite total volume. It is shown that, for continuous Lagrangians of compact range, this measure solves the Euler–Lagrange equations. Furthermore, we prove that the constructed measure is a minimizer under variations of compact support. Under additional assumptions, it is proven that this measure is a minimizer under variations of finite volume. We finally extend our results to continuous Lagrangians decaying in entropy.

Curiel E., Finster F., Isidro J.M.

The notions of two-dimensional area, Killing fields and matter flux are introduced in the setting of causal fermion systems. It is shown that for critical points of the causal action, the area change of two-dimensional surfaces under a Killing flow in null directions is proportional to the matter flux through these surfaces. This relation generalizes an equation in classical general relativity due to Ted Jacobson setting of causal fermion systems.

Finster F.

Finster F., Kindermann S.

Causal fermion systems incorporate local gauge symmetry in the sense that the Lagrangian and all inherent structures are invariant under local phase transformations of the physical wave functions. In the present paper, it is explained and worked out in detail that, despite this local gauge freedom, the structures of a causal fermion system give rise to distinguished gauges where the local gauge freedom is fixed completely up to global gauge transformations. The main method is to use spectral and polar decompositions of operators on Hilbert spaces and on indefinite inner product spaces. We also introduce and make use of a Riemannian metric, which is induced on the manifold of all regular correlation operators by the Hilbert–Schmidt scalar product. Gaussian coordinate systems corresponding to this Riemannian metric are constructed. Moreover, we work with so-called wave charts where the physical wave functions are used as coordinates. Our constructions and results are illustrated in the example of Dirac sea configurations in finite and infinite spatial volume.

Finster F.

We give a brief introduction to causal fermion systems with a focus on the geometric structures in space-time.

Finster F.

Finster F., Röken C.

Finster F., Kleiner J.

The theory of causal fermion systems is an approach to describe fundamental physics. Giving quantum mechanics, general relativity and quantum field theory as limiting cases, it is a candidate for a unified physical theory. We here give a non-technical introduction.