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Averaged Null Energy Condition from Causality

8 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.

8 Pith papers citing it
abstract

Unitary, Lorentz-invariant quantum field theories in flat spacetime obey microcausality: commutators vanish at spacelike separation. For interacting theories in more than two dimensions, we show that this implies that the averaged null energy, $\int du T_{uu}$, must be positive. This non-local operator appears in the operator product expansion of local operators in the lightcone limit, and therefore contributes to $n$-point functions. We derive a sum rule that isolates this contribution and is manifestly positive. The argument also applies to certain higher spin operators other than the stress tensor, generating an infinite family of new constraints of the form $\int du X_{uuu\cdots u} \geq 0$. These lead to new inequalities for the coupling constants of spinning operators in conformal field theory, which include as special cases (but are generally stronger than) the existing constraints from the lightcone bootstrap, deep inelastic scattering, conformal collider methods, and relative entropy. We also comment on the relation to the recent derivation of the averaged null energy condition from relative entropy, and suggest a more general connection between causality and information-theoretic inequalities in QFT.

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2026 5 2025 3

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representative citing papers

A general proof of integer R\'enyi QNEC

hep-th · 2026-05-14 · accept · novelty 8.0

Proves integer Rényi QNEC by establishing log-convexity of Kosaki L^n norms under null-translation semigroups for σ-finite von Neumann algebras with half-sided modular inclusions, assuming only finite sandwiched Rényi divergence to the vacuum.

Open case for a closed universe

hep-th · 2025-10-15 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

A no-go theorem proves flat and open FRW universes cannot be nonsingular, geodesically complete and ANEC-consistent while closed universes can, with positive curvature mimicking phantom dark energy at the 1% level.

Algebraic traversable wormholes

hep-th · 2025-08-18 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Proposes a new large N limit dual to back-reacted traversable wormholes via algebra-at-infinity operators and algebraically reproduces the Maldacena-Stanford-Yang result on left-right observer effects.

citing papers explorer

Showing 8 of 8 citing papers.

  • A general proof of integer R\'enyi QNEC hep-th · 2026-05-14 · accept · none · ref 12 · internal anchor

    Proves integer Rényi QNEC by establishing log-convexity of Kosaki L^n norms under null-translation semigroups for σ-finite von Neumann algebras with half-sided modular inclusions, assuming only finite sandwiched Rényi divergence to the vacuum.

  • Decoding multiway gravitational junctions in AdS in terms of holographic quantum maps hep-th · 2026-04-08 · unverdicted · none · ref 40

    Multiway AdS junctions dualize to factorized quantum maps on CFT interfaces, with scattering matrix fixed by junction tension and automorphisms from n-1 stringy modes, independent of background state.

  • Affine ANEC selects the closed FRW branch for geodesically complete cosmology gr-qc · 2026-05-18 · unverdicted · none · ref 34 · internal anchor

    Affine ANEC obstructs non-static flat and open FRW from being null geodesically complete while ANEC-satisfying, but allows explicit scalar-field realizations for closed FRW with NEC-respecting matter.

  • Curious QNEIs from QNEC: New Bounds on Null Energy in Quantum Field Theory hep-th · 2025-10-30 · unverdicted · none · ref 14 · internal anchor

    Derives new state-independent lower bounds on semi-local integrals of null energy flux in QFTs of two and higher dimensions using QNEC, strong subadditivity, and modular Hamiltonians.

  • Open case for a closed universe hep-th · 2025-10-15 · unverdicted · none · ref 20 · internal anchor

    A no-go theorem proves flat and open FRW universes cannot be nonsingular, geodesically complete and ANEC-consistent while closed universes can, with positive curvature mimicking phantom dark energy at the 1% level.

  • Algebraic traversable wormholes hep-th · 2025-08-18 · unverdicted · none · ref 45 · internal anchor

    Proposes a new large N limit dual to back-reacted traversable wormholes via algebra-at-infinity operators and algebraically reproduces the Maldacena-Stanford-Yang result on left-right observer effects.

  • Modave lectures on energy conditions in quantum field theory and semi-classical gravity hep-th · 2026-05-18 · accept · none · ref 19 · internal anchor

    Review of classical energy conditions, their quantum violations, and information-theoretic bounds for semi-classical gravity, based on Modave lectures.

  • Geodesically Complete Curvature-Bounce Inflation astro-ph.CO · 2026-04-29 · unreviewed · ref 37