Rudolf Haag
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Haag is a German physicist
. He is best known for his contributions to the algebraic formulation of axiom
atic quantum field theory
, namely the Haag-Kastler axioms
, and a central no-go theorem
in QFT, Haag's theorem
, which demonstrates the nonexistence of a unitary
time-evolution operator in the interaction picture
.
Haag studied Physics at Technische Hochschule Stuttgart, now the University of Stuttgart
, from 1948 to 1954 and then worked on his dissertation in Munich
. His supervisor was Fritz Bopp. From 1956 to 1957 he was at Max Planck Institute in Göttingen
. After doing one year each as visiting professor at Princeton University
and University of Marseille, he was professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
for six years until 1966.
After that and until his retirement he held a chair for theoretical physics at the University of Hamburg
.
In 1965 he founded the journal Communications in Mathematical Physics
, which he guided as Chief Editor for eight years.
He was awarded the Max Planck medal
in 1970 and the Henri Poincaré Prize of the International Association of Mathematical Physics
in 1997.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
. He is best known for his contributions to the algebraic formulation of axiom
Axiom
In traditional logic, an axiom or postulate is a proposition that is not proven or demonstrated but considered either to be self-evident or to define and delimit the realm of analysis. In other words, an axiom is a logical statement that is assumed to be true...
atic quantum field theory
Quantum field theory
Quantum field theory provides a theoretical framework for constructing quantum mechanical models of systems classically parametrized by an infinite number of dynamical degrees of freedom, that is, fields and many-body systems. It is the natural and quantitative language of particle physics and...
, namely the Haag-Kastler axioms
, and a central no-go theorem
No-go theorem
In theoretical physics, a no-go theorem is a theorem that states that a particular situation is not physically possible.-Examples of no-go theorems:* Bell's theorem* Coleman–Mandula theorem* Haag-Lopuszanski-Sohnius theorem* Earnshaw's theorem...
in QFT, Haag's theorem
Haag's theorem
Rudolf Haag postulatedthat the interaction picture does not exist in an interacting, relativistic quantum field theory , something now commonly known as Haag's Theorem...
, which demonstrates the nonexistence of a unitary
Unitary
Unitary may refer to:* Unitary construction, in automotive design, another common term for a unibody or monocoque construction**Unitary as chemical weapons opposite of Binary...
time-evolution operator in the interaction picture
Interaction picture
In quantum mechanics, the Interaction picture is an intermediate between the Schrödinger picture and the Heisenberg picture. Whereas in the other two pictures either the state vector or the operators carry time dependence, in the interaction picture both carry part of the time dependence of...
.
Haag studied Physics at Technische Hochschule Stuttgart, now the University of Stuttgart
University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart is a university located in Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded in 1829 and is organized in 10 faculties....
, from 1948 to 1954 and then worked on his dissertation in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. His supervisor was Fritz Bopp. From 1956 to 1957 he was at Max Planck Institute in Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
. After doing one year each as visiting professor at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and University of Marseille, he was professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
for six years until 1966.
After that and until his retirement he held a chair for theoretical physics at the University of Hamburg
University of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg is a university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 1919 by Wilhelm Stern and others. It grew out of the previous Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen and the Kolonialinstitut as well as the Akademisches Gymnasium. There are around 38,000 students as of the start of...
.
In 1965 he founded the journal Communications in Mathematical Physics
Communications in Mathematical Physics
Communications in Mathematical Physics is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Springer. The journal publishes papers in all fields of mathematical physics, but focuses particularly in Analysis related to condensed matter physics, statistical mechanics and quantum field theory, and in...
, which he guided as Chief Editor for eight years.
He was awarded the Max Planck medal
Max Planck medal
The Max Planck medal is an award for extraordinary achievements in theoretical physics. It is awarded annually by the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft , the world's largest organization of physicists.-List of recipients:...
in 1970 and the Henri Poincaré Prize of the International Association of Mathematical Physics
International Association of Mathematical Physics
The International Association of Mathematical Physics was founded in 1976 to promote research in mathematical physics. It brings together research mathematicians and theoretical physicists, including students. The association's ordinary members are individual researchers, although associate...
in 1997.
Further reading
- Kastler, DanielDaniel KastlerDaniel Kastler is a French theoretical physicist, working at University of Aix-Marseille on non-commutative geometry.He is best known for his 1964 article with Rudolf Haag on algebraic quantum field theory, which is one of the ....
(2003): "Rudolf Haag - Eighty Years". Communications in Mathematical Physics , Vol 237, No 1, pp 3–6.
External links
- A picture of Rudolf Haag at II. Institute for Theoretical Physics, Hamburg University (Photographer: Ralf D. Tscheuschner, a pupil of Haag)