Classification of quantum states based on the null energy condition

Abstract

Violation of the null energy condition plays an important role both in the general theory of relativity and quantum field theory in curved spacetimes. Over the years, it has been shown that the violation of the null energy condition leads to instability and violation of causality. In quantum field theory, violation of the energy condition also depends on the quantum states apart from the geometry of curved spacetime. Hence, the quantum effects play an important role in the violation of the null energy condition. We show that the set of all the coherent states does not violate the null energy condition. Further, we also show that under certain conditions, the null energy condition is violated either by a pure state or a mixed state. Furthermore, the dynamical violation of the null energy condition by the quantum states is also discussed here.