Geoff Penington (University of California, Berkeley & IAS)

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Geoff Penington (University of California, Berkeley & IAS)

October 10, 2022
2:10 PM - 3:10 PM
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Center for Theoretical Physics (Pupin Hall 8th Floor)

An algebra of observables for de Sitter space

We describe an algebra of observables for a static patch in de Sitter space, with operators gravitationally dressed to the worldline of an observer. The algebra is a von Neumann algebra of Type II$_1$. There is a natural notion of entropy for a state of such an algebra. There is a maximum entropy state, which corresponds to empty de Sitter space, and the entropy of any semiclassical state of the Type II$_1$ algebras agrees, up to an additive constant independent of the state, with the expected generalized entropy $S_{\text{gen}}=(A/4G_N)+S_{\text{out}}$. An arbitrary additive constant is present because of the renormalization that is involved in defining entropy for a Type II$_1$ algebra.