Non-linear operator-valued elliptic flows with application to quantum field theory

Abstract

Differential equations on spaces of operators are very little developed in Mathematics, being in general very challenging. Here, we study a novel system of such (non-linear) differential equations. We show it has a unique solution for all times, for instance in the Schatten norm topology. This system presents remarkable ellipticity properties that turn out to be crucial for the study of the infinite-time limit of its solution, which is proven under relatively weak, albeit probably not necessary, hypotheses on the initial data. This system of differential equations is the elliptic counterpart of an hyperbolic flow applied to quantum field theory to diagonalize Hamiltonians that are quadratic in the bosonic field. In a similar way, this elliptic flow, in particular its asymptotics, has application in quantum field theory: it can be used to diagonalize Hamiltonians that are quadratic in the fermionic field while giving new explicit expressions and properties of these pivotal Hamiltonians of quantum field theory and quantum statistical mechanics.