The varieties of Heisenberg vertex operator algebras

For a vertex operator algebra V with conformal vector ω,we consider a class of vertex operator subalgebras and their conformal vectors.They are called semi-conformal vertex operator subalgebras and semiconformal vectors of(V,ω),respectively,and were used to study duality theory of vertex operator algebras via coset constructions.Using these objects attached to(V,ω),we shall understand the structure of the vertex operator algebra(V,ω).At first,we define the set Sc(V,ω)of semi-conformal vectors of V, then we prove that Sc(V,ω)is an affine algebraic variety with a partial ordering and an involution map.Corresponding to each semi-conformal vector,there is a unique maximal semi-conformal vertex operator subalgebra containing it.The properties of these subalgebras are invariants of vertex operator algebras.As an example,we describe the corresponding varieties of semi-conformal vectors for Heisenberg vertex operator algebras.As an application,we give two characterizations of Heisenberg vertex operator algebras using the properties of these varieties.     

Some General Results on Conformal Embeddings of Affine Vertex Operator Algebras

We give a general criterion for conformal embeddings of vertex operator algebras associated to affine Lie algebras at arbitrary levels. Using that criterion, we construct new conformal embeddings at admissible rational and negative integer levels. In particular, we construct all remaining conformal embeddings associated to automorphisms of Dynkin diagrams of simple Lie algebras. The semisimplicity of the corresponding decompositions is obtained by using the concept of fusion rules for vertex operator algebras.     

The Liouville Field Theory Zero-Mode Problem

We quantize the canonical free-field zero modes p, q on the half-plane p > 0 for both Liouville field theory and its reduced Liouville particle dynamics. We describe the particle dynamics in detail, calculate one-point functions of particle vertex operators, deduce their zero-mode realization on the half-plane, and prove that the particle vertex operators act self-adjointly on the Hilbert space L ²(₊) because of symmetries generated by the S-matrix. Similarly, we obtain the self-adjointness of the corresponding Liouville field theory vertex operator in the zero-mode sector by applying the Liouville reflection amplitude, which is derived by the operator method.     

Convergence in Conformal Field Theory

Convergence and analytic extension are of fundamental importance in the mathematical construction and study of conformal field theory. The author reviews some main convergence results, conjectures and problems in the construction and study of conformal field theories using the representation theory of vertex operator algebras. He also reviews the related analytic extension results, conjectures and problems. He discusses the convergence and analytic extensions of products of intertwining operators (chiral conformal fields) and of q-traces and pseudo-q-traces of products of intertwining operators. He also discusses the convergence results related to the sewing operation and the determinant line bundle and a higher-genus convergence result. He then explains conjectures and problems on the convergence and analytic extensions in orbifold conformal field theory and in the cohomology theory of vertex operator algebras.     

Full field algebras, operads and tensor categories

We study the operadic and categorical formulations of (conformal) full field algebras. In particular, we show that a grading-restricted R×R-graded full field algebra is equivalent to an algebra over a partial operad constructed from spheres with punctures and local coordinates. This result is generalized to conformal full field algebras over VL⊗VR, where VL and VR are two vertex operator algebras satisfying certain finiteness and reductivity conditions. We also study the geometry interpretation of conformal full field algebras over VL⊗VR equipped with a nondegenerate invariant bilinear form. By assuming slightly stronger conditions on VL and VR, we show that a conformal full field algebra over VL⊗VR equipped with a nondegenerate invariant bilinear form exactly corresponds to a commutative Frobenius algebra with a trivial twist in the category of VL⊗VR-modules. The so-called diagonal constructions [Y.-Z. Huang, L. Kong, Full field algebras, arXiv: math.QA/0511328] of conformal full field algebras are given in tensor-categorical language.     

Twisted modules over vertex algebras on algebraic curves

We extend the geometric approach to vertex algebras developed by the first author to twisted modules, allowing us to treat orbifold models in conformal field theory. Let V be a vertex algebra, H a finite group of automorphisms of V, and C an algebraic curve such that H⊂Aut(C). We show that a suitable collection of twisted V-modules gives rise to a section of a certain sheaf on the quotient X=C/H. We introduce the notion of conformal blocks for twisted modules, and analyze them in the case of the Heisenberg and affine Kac-Moody vertex algebras. We also give a chiral algebra interpretation of twisted modules.     

Finite vs affine W-algebras

In Section 1 we review various equivalent definitions of a vertex algebra V. The main novelty here is the definition in terms of an indefinite integral of the λ-bracket. In Section 2 we construct, in the most general framework, the Zhu algebra Zhu_ΓV, an associative algebra which “controls” Γ-twisted representations of the vertex algebra V with a given Hamiltonian operator H. An important special case of this construction is the H-twisted Zhu algebra Zhu_H V. In Section 3 we review the theory of non-linear Lie conformal algebras (respectively non-linear Lie algebras). Their universal enveloping vertex algebras (resp. universal enveloping algebras) form an important class of freely generated vertex algebras (resp. PBW generated associative algebras). We also introduce the H-twisted Zhu non-linear Lie algebra Zhu_H R of a non-linear Lie conformal algebra R and we show that its universal enveloping algebra is isomorphic to the H-twisted Zhu algebra of the universal enveloping vertex algebra of R. After a discussion of the necessary cohomological material in Section 4, we review in Section 5 the construction and basic properties of affine and finite W-algebras, obtained by the method of quantum Hamiltonian reduction. Those are some of the most intensively studied examples of freely generated vertex algebras and PBW generated associative algebras. Applying the machinery developed in Sections 3 and 4, we then show that the H-twisted Zhu algebra of an affine W-algebra is isomorphic to the finite W-algebra, attached to the same data. In Section 6 we define the Zhu algebra of a Poisson vertex algebra, and we discuss quasiclassical limits. In the Appendix, the equivalence of three definitions of a finite W-algebra is established. “I am an old man, and I know that a definition cannot be so complicated.” I.M. Gelfand (after a talk on vertex algebras in his Rutgers seminar)     

Expectation values of scaling fields in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis></Subscript> Ising models

We compute exact vacuum expectation values of physically relevant scaling fields in the perturbed Z_N parafermionic models. Our algebraic method is based on analyzing vertex operators in the corresponding off-critical lattice model. The results coincide with the expressions derived by perturbed conformal field theory methods. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 154, No. 3, pp. 557–583, March, 2008     

The Notion of Vertex Operator Coalgebra and a Geometric Interpretation

The notion of vertex operator coalgebra is presented and motivated via the geometry of conformal field theory. Specifically, we describe the category of geometric vertex operator coalgebras, whose objects have comultiplicative structures meromorphically induced by conformal equivalence classes of worldsheets. We then show this category is isomorphic to the category of vertex operator coalgebras, which is defined in the language of formal algebra. The latter has several characteristics which give it the flavor of a coalgebra with respect to the structure of a vertex operator algebra and several characteristics that distinguish it from a standard dual—both of them will be highlighted.     

Vertex operator algebras associated to modified regular representations of affine Lie algebras

Let G be a simply-connected complex Lie group with simple Lie algebra g and let be its affine Lie algebra. We use intertwining operators and Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations to construct a family of N-graded vertex operator algebras (VOAs) associated to g. These vertex operator algebras contain the algebra of regular functions on G as the conformal weight 0 subspaces and are -modules of dual levels in the sense that , where h^∨ is the dual Coxeter number of g. This family of VOAs was previously studied by Arkhipov-Gaitsgory and Gorbounov-Malikov-Schechtman from different points of view. We show that when k is irrational, the vertex envelope of the vertex algebroid associated to G and the level k is isomorphic to the vertex operator algebra we constructed above. The case of rational levels is also discussed.     

Conformal designs based on vertex operator algebras

We introduce the notion of a conformal design based on a vertex operator algebra. This notation is a natural analog of the notion of block designs or spherical designs when the elements of the design are based on self-orthogonal binary codes or integral lattices, respectively. It is shown that the subspaces of an extremal self-dual vertex operator algebra of fixed degree form conformal 11-, 7-, or 3-designs, generalizing similar results of Assmus and Mattson and Venkov for extremal doubly-even codes and extremal even lattices. Other examples are coming from group actions on vertex operator algebras, the case studied first by Matsuo. The classification of conformal 6- and 8-designs is investigated. Again, our results are analogous to similar results for codes and lattices.     

Representations of centrally-extended Lie algebras over differential operators and vertex algebras

We construct irreducible modules of centrally-extended classical Lie algebras over left ideals of the algebra of differential operators on the circle, through certain irreducible modules of centrally-extended classical Lie algebras of infinite matrices with finite number of nonzero entries. The structures of vertex algebras associated with the vacuum representations of these algebras are determined. Moreover, we prove that under certain conditions, the highest-weight irreducible modules of centrally-extended classical Lie algebras of infinite matrices with finite number of nonzero entries naturally give rise to the irreducible modules of the simple quotients of these vertex algebras. From vertex algebra and its representation point of view, our results with positive integral central charge are high-order differential operator analogues of the well-known WZW models in conformal field theory associated with affine Kac-Moody algebras. Indeed, when the left ideals are the algebra of differential operators, our Lie algebras do contain affine Kac-Moody algebras as subalgebras and our results restricted on them are exactly the representation contents in WZW models. Similar results with negative central charge are also obtained.     

Construction of vertex operator algebras from commutative associative algebras

Given a commutative associative algebra A with an associative form (’), we construct a vertex operator algebra V with the weight two space V₂;? A If in addition the form (’) is nondegenerate, we show that there is a simple vertex operator algebra with V₂;? A We also show that if A is semisimple, then the vertex operator algebra constructed is the tensor products of a certain number of Virasoro vertex operator algebras.     

On replacement axioms for the Jacobi identity for vertex algebras and their modules

We discuss the axioms for vertex algebras and their modules, using formal calculus. Following certain standard treatments, we take the Jacobi identity as our main axiom and we recall weak commutativity and weak associativity. We derive a third companion property that we call “weak skew-associativity”. This third property in some sense completes an S₃-symmetry of the axioms, which is related to the known S₃-symmetry of the Jacobi identity. We do not initially require a vacuum vector, which is analogous to not requiring an identity element in ring theory. In this more general setting, one still has a property, occasionally used in standard treatments, which is closely related to skew-symmetry, which we call “vacuum-free skew-symmetry”. We show how certain combinations of these properties are equivalent to the Jacobi identity for both vacuum-free vertex algebras and their modules. We then specialize to the case with a vacuum vector and obtain further replacement axioms. In particular, in the final section we derive our main result, which says that, in the presence of certain minor axioms, the Jacobi identity for a module is equivalent to either weak associativity or weak skew-associativity. The first part of this result has appeared previously and has been used to show the (nontrivial) equivalence of representations of and modules for a vertex algebra. Many but not all of our results appear in standard treatments; some of our arguments are different from the usual ones.     

Type II non-commutative geometry. I. Dixmier trace in von Neumann algebras

We define the notion of Connes-von Neumann spectral triple and consider the associated index problem. We compute the analytic Chern-Connes character of such a generalized spectral triple and prove the corresponding local formula for its Hochschild class. This formula involves the Dixmier trace for II_∞ von Neumann algebras. In the case of foliations, we identify this Dixmier trace with the corresponding measured Wodzicki residue.     

Axiomatic Aspects of N = 2 Vertex Superalgebras with Odd Formal Variables

We formulate the notion of “N = 2 vertex superalgebra with two odd formal variables” using a Jacobi identity with odd formal variables in which an N = 2 superconformal shift is incorporated into the usual Jacobi identity for a vertex superalgebra. It is shown that as a consequence of these axioms, the N = 2 vertex superalgebra is naturally a representation of the Lie superalgebra isomorphic to the three-dimensional algebra of superderivations with basis consisting of the usual conformal operator and the two N = 2 superconformal operators. In addition, this superconformal shift in the Jacobi identity dictates the form of the odd formal variable components of the vertex operators, and allows one to easily derive the useful formulas in the theory. The notion of N = 2 Neveu–Schwarz vertex operator superalgebra with two odd formal variables is introduced, and consequences of this notion are derived. In particular, we develop the duality properties which are necessary for a rigorous treatment of the correspondence with the underlying supergeometry. Various other formulations of the notion of N = 2 (Neveu–Schwarz) vertex (operator) superalgebra appearing in the mathematics and physics literature are discussed, and several mistakes in the literature are noted and corrected.     

Non-linear Lie conformal algebras with three generators

We classify certain non-linear Lie conformal algebras with three generators, which can be viewed as deformations of the current Lie conformal algebra of sℓ ₂. In doing so we discover an interesting 1-parameter family of non-linear Lie conformal algebras and the corresponding freely generated vertex algebras , which includes for d = 1 the affine vertex algebra of sℓ ₂ at the critical level k = –2. We construct free-field realizations of the algebras extending the Wakimoto realization of at the critical level, and we compute their Zhu algebras. Dedicated to our teacher Victor Kac on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Vertex coalgebras, comodules, cocommutativity and coassociativity

We introduce the notion of vertex coalgebra, a generalization of vertex operator coalgebras. Next we investigate forms of cocommutativity, coassociativity, skew-symmetry, and an endomorphism, D^∗, which hold on vertex coalgebras. The former two properties require grading. We then discuss comodule structure. We conclude by discussing instances where graded vertex coalgebras appear, particularly as related to Primc’s vertex Lie algebra and (universal) enveloping vertex algebras.     

Simple Conformal Superalgebras of Finite Growth

In this paper, we construct six families of infinite simple conformal superalgebras of finite growth based on our earlier work on constructing vertex operator superalgebras from graded assocaitive algebras. Three subfamilies of these conformal superalgebras are generated by simple Jordan algebras of types A, B, and C in a certain sense.Research supported by Hong Kong RGC Competitive Earmarked Research Grant HKUST709/96P.2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: primary 17A30, 17A60; secondary 17B20, 81Q60     

Multiplets of representations, twisted Dirac operators and Vogan's conjecture in affine setting

We extend classical results of Kostant et al. on multiplets of representations of finite-dimensional Lie algebras and on the cubic Dirac operator to the setting of affine Lie algebras and twisted affine cubic Dirac operator. We prove in this setting an analogue of Vogan's conjecture on infinitesimal characters of Harish-Chandra modules in terms of Dirac cohomology. For our calculations we use the machinery of Lie conformal and vertex algebras.