The Thermal Aspects of Relativistic Quantum Field Theory as an Observational Window in a Deeper Layer of Quantum Space-Time or: Dirac's Revenge

Abstract

In this paper we shall derive the thermal properties of the relativistic quantum vacuum from a more primordial underlying structure which shares some properties with the old Dirac-sea picture. We show in particular how the Tomita-KMS structure in RQFT is a consequence of the structure and dynamics of the underlying pattern of vacuum fluctuations. We explain the origin of the doubling phenomenon in thermofield theory and the duality symmetry between a local algebra of fields or observables and its commutant in RQFT and give an interpretation of the notion of thermal time.