Symmetry Reduction of Quasi-Free States

C. G. Torre

Published 2009-01-27Version 1

Given a group-invariant quasi-free state on the algebra of canonical commutation relations (CCR), we show how group averaging techniques can be used to obtain a symmetry reduced CCR algebra and reduced quasi-free state. When the group is compact this method of symmetry reduction leads to standard results which can be obtained using other methods. When the group is non-compact the group averaging prescription relies upon technically favorable conditions which we delineate. As an example, we consider symmetry reduction of the usual vacuum state for a Klein-Gordon field on Minkowski spacetime by a non-compact subgroup of the Poincar\'e group consisting of a 1-parameter family of boosts, a 1-parameter family of spatial translations and a set of discrete translations. We show that the symmetry reduced CCR algebra and vacuum state correspond to that used by each of Berger, Husain, and Pierri for the polarized Gowdy ${\bf T}^3$ quantum gravity model.