Non-commutativity and non-associativity are quite natural in string theory. For open strings it appear due to the presence of non-vanishing background two-form in the world volume of Dirichlet brane, while in closed string theory the flux compactifications with non-vanishing three-form also lead to non-geometric backgrounds. In this paper, working in the framework of deformation quantization, we study the violation of associativity imposing the condition that the associator of three elements should vanish whenever each two of them are equal. The corresponding star products are called alternative and satisfy an important for physical applications properties like the Moufang identities, alternative identities, Artin's theorem, etc. The condition of alternativity is invariant under the gauge transformations, just like it happens in the associative case. The price to pay is the restriction on the non-associative algebra which can be represented by the alternative star product, it should satisfy the Malcev identity. The example of nontrivial Malcev algebra is the algebra of imaginary octonions. For this case we construct an explicit expression of the non-associative and alternative star product. We also discuss the quantization of Malcev-Poisson algebras of general form, study its properties and provide the lower order expression for the alternative star product. To conclude we define the integration on the algebra of the alternative star products and show that the integrated associator vanishes.
We show that the associative algebra structure can be incorporated in the BRST quantization formalism for gauge theories such that extension from the corresponding Lie algebra to the associative algebra is achieved using operator quantization of reducible gauge theories. The BRST differential that encodes the associativity of the algebra multiplication is constructed as a second-order quadratic differential operator on the bar resolution.
Deformation quantization is a formal deformation of the algebra of smooth functions on some manifold. In the classical setting, the Poisson bracket serves as an initial conditions, while the associativity allows to proceed to higher orders. Some applications to string theory require deformation in the direction of a quasi-Poisson bracket (that does not satisfy the Jacobi identity). This initial condition is incompatible with associativity, it is quite unclear which restrictions can be imposed on the deformation. We show that for any quasi-Poisson bracket the deformation quantization exists and…
Non-geometric string backgrounds were proposed to be related to a non-associative deformation of the space-time geometry. In the flux formulation of double field theory (DFT), the structure of mathematically possible non-associative deformations is analyzed in detail. It is argued that on-shell there should not be any violation of associativity in the effective DFT action. For imposing either the strong or the weaker closure constraint we discuss two possible non-associative deformations of DFT featuring two different ways how on-shell associativity can still be kept.
The deformation quantization by Kontsevich [arXiv:q-alg/9709040] is a way to construct an associative noncommutative star-product $\star=\times+\hbar \{\ ,\ \}_{P}+\bar{o}(\hbar)$ in the algebra of formal power series in $\hbar$ on a given finite-dimensional affine Poisson manifold: here $\times$ is the usual multiplication, $\{\ ,\ \}_{P}\neq0$ is the Poisson bracket, and $\hbar$ is the deformation parameter. The product $\star$ is assembled at all powers $\hbar^{k\geq0}$ via summation over a certain set of weighted graphs with $k+2$ vertices; for each $k>0$, every such graph connects the two…
We give a quantum field theory interpretation of Kontsevich's deformation quantization formula for Poisson manifolds. We show that it is given by the perturbative expansion of the path integral of a simple topological bosonic open string theory. Its Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization yields a superconformal field theory. The associativity of the star product, and more generally the formality conjecture can then be understood by field theory methods. As an application, we compute the center of the deformed algebra in terms of the center of the Poisson algebra.
We consider the geometric and non-geometric faces of closed string vacua arising by T-duality from principal torus bundles with constant H-flux and pay attention to their double phase space description encompassing all toroidal coordinates, momenta and their dual on equal footing. We construct a star-product algebra on functions in phase space that is manifestly duality invariant and substitutes for canonical quantization. The 3-cocycles of the Abelian group of translations in double phase space are seen to account for non-associativity of the star-product. We also provide alternative cohomolo…
Using a derivative decomposition of the Hochschild differential complex we define a generalized inverse of the Hochschild coboundary operator. It can be applied for systematic computations of star products on Poisson manifolds.
We outline how Drinfeld twist deformation techniques can be applied to the deformation quantization of principal bundles into noncommutative principal bundles, and more in general to the deformation of Hopf-Galois extensions. First we twist deform the structure group in a quantum group, and this leads to a deformation of the fibers of the principal bundle. Next we twist deform a subgroup of the group of authomorphisms of the principal bundle, and this leads to a noncommutative base space. Considering both deformations we obtain noncommutative principal bundles with noncommutative fiber and bas…
We study several classes of non-associative algebras as possible candidates for deformation quantization in the direction of a Poisson bracket that does not satisfy Jacobi identities. We show that in fact alternative deformation quantization algebras require the Jacobi identities on the Poisson bracket and, under very general assumptions, are associative. At the same time, flexible deformation quantization algebras exist for any Poisson bracket.
In this paper, we initiate the study of a parametrised version of Rieffel's strict deformation quantization. We apply it to give a classification of noncommutative principal torus bundles, in terms of parametrised strict deformation quantization of ordinary principal torus bundles. The paper also contains a putative definition of noncommutative non-principal torus bundles.
In this work we give a deformation theoretical approach to the problem of quantization. First the notion of a deformation of a noncommutative ringed space over a commutative locally ringed space is introduced within a language coming from Algebraic Geometry and Complex Analysis. Then we define what a Dirac quantization of a commutative ringed space with a Poisson structure, the space of classical observables, is. Afterwards the normal order quantization of the Poisson space of classical polynomial observables on a cotangent bundle is constructed. By using a complete symbol calculus on manifold…
This note describes the functional-integral quantization of two-dimensional topological field theories together with applications to problems in deformation quantization of Poisson manifolds and reduction of certain submanifolds. A brief introduction to smooth graded manifolds and to the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism is included.
Deformation quantization of Poisson manifolds is studied within the framework of an expansion in powers of derivatives of Poisson structures. We construct the Lie group associated with a Poisson bracket algebra which defines a second order deformation in the derivative expansion.
In this paper, we initiate the study of nonassociative strict deformation quantization of C*-algebras with a torus action. We shall also present a definition of nonassociative principal torus bundles, and give a classification of these as nonassociative strict deformation quantization of ordinary principal torus bundles. We then relate this to T-duality of principal torus bundles with $H$-flux. We also show that the Octonions fit nicely into our theory.
We give an explicit construction of a deformation quantization of the algebra of functions on a Poisson manifolds, based on Kontsevich's local formula. The deformed algebra of functions is realized as the algebra of horizontal sections of a vector bundle with flat connection.
We describe the space of (all) invariant deformation quantizations on the hyperbolic plane as solutions of the evolution of a second order hyperbolic differential operator. The construction is entirely explicit and relies on non-commutative harmonic analytical techniques on symplectic symmetric spaces. The present work presents a unified method producing every quantization of the hyperbolic plane, and provides, in the 2-dimensional context, an exact solution to Weinstein's WKB quantization program within geometric terms. The construction reveals the existence of a metric of Lorentz signature c…
Second quantization of a classical nonrelativistic one-particle system as a deformation quantization of the Schrodinger spinless field is considered. Under the assumption that the phase space of the Schrodinger field is $C^{\infty}$, both, the Weyl-Wigner-Moyal and Berezin deformation quantizations are discussed and compared. Then the geometric quantum mechanics is also quantized using the Berezin method under the assumption that the phase space is $CP^{\infty}$ endowed with the Fubini-Study Kahlerian metric. Finally, the Wigner function for an arbitrary particle state and its evolution equati…
Motivated by the problem of deformation quantization we introduce and study directed graph complexes with oriented loops and wheels. We develop some technique for computing cohomology of such graph complexes and apply it to several concrete examples such as wheeled completion of the operad of strongly homotopy Lie algebras and the wheeled completion of the dg prop of Poisson structures. We prove also a deformation quantization theorem of wheeled Poisson structures on arbitrary formal graded manifolds.
In this note we address the question whether one can recover from the vertex operator algebra associated with a four-dimensional N=2 superconformal field theory the deformation quantization of the Higgs branch of vacua that appears as a protected subsector in the three-dimensional circle-reduced theory. We answer this question positively if the UV R-symmetries do not mix with accidental (topological) symmetries along the renormalization group flow from the four-dimensional theory on a circle to the three-dimensional theory. If they do mix, we still find a deformation quantization but at differ…
Deformation quantization conventionally is described in terms of multidifferential operators. Jet manifold technique is well-known provide the adequate formulation of theory of differential operators. We extended this formulation to the multidifferential ones, and consider their infinite order jet prolongation. The infinite order jet manifold is endowed with the canonical flat connection that provides the covariant formula of a deformation star-product.
Motivated by sine-square deformation (SSD) for quantum critical systems in 1+1-dimension, we discuss a Mobius quantization approach to the two-dimensional conformal field theory (CFT), which bridges the conventional radial quantization and the dipolar quantization recently proposed by Ishibashi and Tada. We then find that the continuous Virasoro algebra of the dipolar quantization can be interpreted as a continuum limit of the Virasoro algebra for scaled generators in the SSD limit of the Mobius quantization approach.
A method for the deformation quantization of coadjoint orbits of semisimple Lie groups is proposed. It is based on the algebraic structure of the orbit. Its relation to geometric quantization and differentiable deformations is explored.
Rarita-Schwinger (RS) quantum free field is reexamined in the context of deformation quantization. It is found out that the subsidiary condition does not introduce any change either in the Wigner function or in other aspects of the deformation quantization formalism, in relation to the Dirac field case. This happens because the vector structure of the RS field imposes constraints on the space of wave function solutions and not on the operator structure. The RS propagator was also calculated within this formalism.
We compute an explicit algebraic deformation quantization for an affine Poisson variety described by an ideal in a polynomial ring, and inheriting its Poisson structure from the ambient space.
In these lecture notes I give an introduction to deformation quantization. The quantization problem is discussed in some detail thereby motivating the notion of star products. Starting from a deformed observable algebra, i.e. the star product algebra, physical applications require to study representations of this algebra. I review the recent development of a representation theory including techniques like Rieffel induction and Morita equivalence. Applications beyond quantization theory are found in noncommutative field theories.
In this paper we make a review of the results obtained in previous works by the authors on deformation quantization of coadjoint orbits of semisimple Lie groups. We motivate the problem with a new point of view of the well known Moyal-Weyl deformation quantization. We consider only semisimple orbits. Algebraic and differential deformations are compared.
In this paper we consider the problem of deformation quantization of the algebra of polynomial functions on coadjoint orbits of semisimple lie groups. The deformation of an orbit is realized by taking the quotient of the universal enveloping algebra of the Lie algebra of the given Lie group, by a suitable ideal. A comparison with geometric quantization in the case of SU(2) is done where both methods agree.
After sketching recent advances and subtleties in classical relativistically covariant field theories, we give in this short Note some indications as to how the deformation quantization approach can be used to solve or at least give a better understanding of their quantization.
In this paper we construct a deformation quantization of the algebra of polynomials of an arbitrary (regular and non regular) coadjoint orbit of a compact semisimple Lie group. The deformed algebra is given as a quotient of the enveloping algebra by a suitable ideal.
A simple iterative procedure is suggested for the deformation quantization of (irregular) Poisson brackets associated to the classical Yang-Baxter equation. The construction is shown to admit a pure algebraic reformulation giving the Universal Deformation Formula (UDF) for any triangular Lie bialgebra. A simple proof of classification theorem for inequivalent UDF's is given. As an example the explicit quantization formula is presented for the quasi-homogeneous Poisson brackets on two-plane.
The Cattaneo-Felder path integral form of the perturbative Kontsevich deformation quantization formula is used to explicitly demonstrate the existence of nonperturbative corrections to na\"ıve deformation quantization.
We define noncommutative gerbes using the language of star products. Quantized twisted Poisson structures are discussed as an explicit realization in the sense of deformation quantization. Our motivation is the noncommutative description of D-branes in the presence of topologically non-trivial background fields.
We give a simple geometric description of all formal deformation quantizations on a Kähler manifold $M$ which enjoy the following property of separation of variables into holomorphic and antiholomorphic ones. For each open subset $U\subset M$, $\star$-multiplication from the left by a holomorphic function and from the right by an antiholomorphic function on $U$ coincides with the pointwise multiplication by these functions. These quantizations are in 1-1 correspondence with formal deformations of the original Kähler metrics on $M$. It has been shown in [Ka] that the formal deformation quantiza…
This note is an overview of the Poisson sigma model (PSM) and its applications in deformation quantization. Reduction of coisotropic and pre-Poisson submanifolds, their appearance as branes of the PSM, quantization in terms of L-infinity and A-infinity algebras, and bimodule structures are recalled. As an application, an "almost" functorial quantization of Poisson maps is presented if no anomalies occur. This leads in principle to a novel approach for the quantization of Poisson-Lie groups.
Finsler and Lagrange spaces can be equivalently represented as almost Kahler manifolds enabled with a metric compatible canonical distinguished connection structure generalizing the Levi Civita connection. The goal of this paper is to perform a natural Fedosov-type deformation quantization of such geometries. All constructions are canonically derived for regular Lagrangians and/or fundamental Finsler functions on tangent bundles.
In this paper, we use the parametrised strict deformation quantization of C*-bundles obtained in a previous paper, and give more examples and applications of this theory. In particular, it is used here to classify H_3-twisted noncommutative torus bundles over a locally compact space. This is extended to the case of general torus bundles and their parametrised strict deformation quantization. Rieffel's basic construction of an algebra deformation can be mimicked to deform a monoidal category, which deforms not only algebras but also modules. As a special case, we consider the parametrised stric…
Deformation quantization of bosonic strings is considered. We show that the light-cone gauge is the most convenient classical description to perform the quantization of bosonic strings in the deformation quantization formalism. Similar to the field theory case, the oscillator variables greatly facilitates the analysis. The mass spectrum, propagators and the Virasoro algebra are finally described within this deformation quantization scheme.
We study the deformation quantization of scalar and abelian gauge classical free fields. Stratonovich-Weyl quantizer, star-products and Wigner functionals are obtained in field and oscillator variables. Abelian gauge theory is particularly intriguing since Wigner functional is factorized into a physical part and other one containing the constraints only. Some effects of non-trivial topology within deformation quantization formalism are also considered.
We perform a deformation quantization of the classical isotropic rigid rotator. The resulting quantum system is not invariant under the usual $SU(2)\times SU(2)$ chiral symmetry, but instead $SU_{q^{-1}}(2) \times SU_q(2)$.
Contrary to the classical methods of quantum mechanics, the deformation quantization can be carried out on phase spaces which are not even topological manifolds. In particular, the Moyal star product gives rise to a canonical functor $F$ from the category of affine analytic spaces to the category of associative (in general, non-commutative) $\C$-algebras. Curiously, if $X$ is the $n$-tuple point, $x^{n}=0$, then $F(X)$ is the algebra of $n\times n$ matrices.
Starting from deformation quantization (star-products), the quantization problem of Nambu Mechanics is investigated. After considering some impossibilities and pushing some analogies with field quantization, a solution to the quantization problem is presented in the novel approach of Zariski quantization of fields (observables, functions, in this case polynomials). This quantization is based on the factorization over ${\Bbb R}$ of polynomials in several real variables. We quantize the infinite-dimensional algebra of fields generated by the polynomials by defining a deformation of this algebra …
A geometric formulation of the Moyal deformation for the Self-dual Yang-Mills theory and the Chiral Model approach to Self-dual gravity is given. We find in Fedosov's geometrical construction of deformation quantization the natural geometrical framework associated to the Moyal deformation of Self-dual gravity.
We discuss deformation quantization of the covariant, light-cone and conformal gauge-fixed p-brane actions (p>1) which are closely related to the structure of the classical and quantum Nambu brackets. It is known that deformation quantization of the Nambu bracket is not of the usual Moyal type. Yet the Nambu bracket can be quantized using the Zariski deformation quantization (discovered by Dito, Flato, Sternheimer and Takhtajan) which is based on factorization of polynomials in several real variables. We discuss a particular application of the Zariski deformed quantization in M-theory by consi…
A perturbative formulation of algebraic field theory is presented, both for the classical and for the quantum case, and it is shown that the relation between them may be understood in terms of deformation quantization.
Matrix theory compactifications on tori have associated Yang-Mills theories on the dual tori with sixteen supercharges. A noncommutative description of these Yang-Mills theories based in deformation quantization theory is provided. We show that this framework allows a natural generalization of the `Moyal B-deformation' of the Yang-Mills theories to non-constant background B-fields on curved spaces. This generalization is described through Fedosov's geometry of deformation quantization.
I construct a map from the Grothendieck group of coherent sheaves to $K$-homology. This results in explicit realizations of $K$-homology cycles associated with D-brane configurations. Non-Abelian degrees of freedom arise in this framework from the deformation quantization of $N$-tuple cycles. The large $N$ limit of the gauge theory on D-branes wrapped on a subvariety $V$ of some variety $X$ is geometrically interpreted as the deformation quantization of the formal completion of $X$ along $V.$
We propose a new approach to the quantization of the damped harmonic oscillator in the framework of deformation quantization. The quantization is performed in the Schrödinger picture by a star-product induced by a modified "Poisson bracket". We determine the eigenstates in the damped regime and compute the transition probability between states of the undamped harmonic oscillator after the system was submitted to dissipation.
Systems built out of N-body interactions, beyond 2-body interactions, are formulated on the plane, and investigated classically and quantum mechanically (in phase space). Their Wigner Functions--the density matrices in phase-space quantization--are given and analyzed.
When the $q$-deformed creation and annihilation operators are used in a second quantization procedure, the algebra satisfied by basis vectors (orthogonal complete set) should be also deformed such as a field operator remains invariant under the coaction of the quantum group. In the 1+1 dimensional quantum field theories we deform the algebra of the basis vectors and study the $q$-deformation in the second quantization procedure.
We formulate a deformation of Rozansky-Witten theory analogous to the $Ω$-deformation. It is applicable when the target space $X$ is hyperkähler and the spacetime is of the form $\mathbb{R} \times Σ$, with $Σ$ being a Riemann surface. In the case that $Σ$ is a disk, the $Ω$-deformed Rozansky-Witten theory quantizes a symplectic submanifold of $X$, thereby providing a new perspective on quantization. As applications, we elucidate two phenomena in four-dimensional gauge theory from this point of view. One is a correspondence between the $Ω$-deformation and quantization of integrable systems. The…
We explicitly construct noncommutative * products on circularly symmetric two dimensional space by using the technique of Fedosov's deformation quantization. Especially, on constant curvature spaces i.e., S^2 and H^2, we get su(2) and su(1,1) algebra respectively. These are candidates of * products applicable to noncommutative field theories or noncommutative gauge theories on spaces with nontrivial symplectic structure.
Using normal coordinates in a Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt basis for the Hopf algebra of renormalization in perturbative quantum field theory, we investigate the relation between the twisted antipode axiom in that formalism, the Birkhoff algebraic decomposition and the universal formula of Kontsevich for quantum deformation.
We study the scalar quantum field theory on a generic noncommutative two-sphere as a special case of noncommutative curved space, which is described by the deformation quantization algebra obtained from symplectic reduction and parametrized by $H^2(S^2, \QR)$. The fuzzy sphere is included as a special case parametrized by the integer two-cohomology class $H^2(S^2, \QZ)$, which has finite number of degrees of freedom and the field theory has a well defined Hilbert space. When the two-cohomology class is not integer valued, the scalar quantum field theory based on the deformation algebra is not …
We extend to quantum mechanics the technique of stochastic subordination, by means of which one can express any semi-martingale as a time-changed Brownian motion. As examples, we considered two versions of the q-deformed Harmonic oscillator in both ordinary and imaginary time and show how these various cases can be understood as different patterns of time quantization rules.
