# nLab homotopical algebraic quantum field theory

### Context

#### Higher algebra

higher algebra

universal algebra

# Contents

## Idea

The axioms of traditional algebraic quantum field theory or locally covariant perturbative quantum field theory, where one assigns a plain algebra (e.g. a C*-algebra or formal power series algebra) of observables to a spacetime region, fail when one considers gauge theory on spacetimes more general than Minkowski spacetime (AQFT on curved spacetimes):

The nature of gauge fields implies that to re-construct their global configuration (including non-trivial topology as in instanton sectors) one needs to locally remember the groupoid of gauge transformations (see Eggertsson 14, Schenkel 14, Schreiber 14 for exposition), and hence, after quantization, some higher algebra of observables.

The program of homotopical algebraic quantum field theory (Benini-Schenkel 16, see Schenkel 17 for survey) is to lift the axioms of AQFT on curved spacetimes to certain local nets of homotopical algebras such as to properly capture gauge theory with topologically non-trivial gauge field configurations.

The axioms as considered in Schenkel 17 have some similarity with that of factorization homology, but also do take into account the causality condition for quantum fields on Lorentzian manifolds.

## References

For review see

Construction and axiomatization of gauge field AQFT via homotopy theory and homotopical algebra is being developed in

The stack of Yang-Mills gauge fields is discussed in

Revised on September 19, 2017 06:21:44 by Urs Schreiber (185.25.95.132)