We introduce the notion of a genus and its mass for vertex algebras. For lattice vertex algebras, their genera are the same as those of lattices, which plays an important role in the classification of lattices. We derive a formula relating the mass for vertex algebras to that for lattices, and then give a new characterization of some holomorphic vertex operator algebras.
We construct bundles of modules of vertex operator algebras, and prove the rigidity and vanishing theorem for the Dirac operator on loop space twisted by such bundles. This result generalizes many previous results.
We consider all genus two correlation functions for the Virasoro vacuum descendants of a vertex operator algebra. These are described in terms of explicit generating functions that can be combinatorially expressed in terms of a sequence of globally defined differential operators on which the genus two Siegel modular group $Sp(4,\mathbb{Z})$ has a natural action.
In this paper, we study representations for three-point Lie algebras of genus zero based on the Cox-Jurisich's presentations. We construct two functors which transform simple restricted modules with nonzero levels over the standard affine algebras into simple modules over the three-point affine algebras of genus zero. As a corollary, vertex representations are constructed for the three-point affine algebra of genus zero using vertex operators. Moreover, we construct a Fock module for certain quotient of three-point Virasoro algebra of genus zero.
We consider correlation functions for a vertex operator algebra on a genus two Riemann surface formed by sewing two tori together. We describe a generalisation of genus one Zhu recursion where we express an arbitrary genus two $n$--point correlation function in terms of $(n-1)$--point functions. We consider several applications including the correlation functions for the Heisenberg vertex operator algebra and its modules, Virasoro correlation functions and genus two Ward identities. We derive novel differential equations in terms of a differential operator on the genus two Siegel upper half pl…
We describe Zhu recursion for a vertex operator algebra (VOA) on a general genus Riemann surface in the Schottky uniformization where $n$-point correlation functions are written as linear combinations of $(n-1)$-point functions with universal coefficients. These coefficients are identified with specific geometric structures on the Riemann surface. We apply Zhu recursion to the Heisenberg VOA and determine all its correlation functions. For a general VOA, Zhu recursion with respect to the Virasoro vector is shown to lead to conformal Ward identities expressed in terms of derivatives with respec…
We continue our program to define and study $n$-point correlation functions for a vertex operator algebra $V$ on a higher genus compact Riemann surface obtained by sewing surfaces of lower genus. Here we consider Riemann surfaces of genus 2 obtained by attaching a handle to a torus. We obtain closed formulas for the genus two partition function for free bosonic theories and lattice vertex operator algebras $V_L$. We prove that the partition function is holomorphic in the sewing parameters on a given suitable domain and describe its modular properties. We also compute the genus two Heisenberg v…
We define the partition and $n$-point functions for a vertex operator algebra on a genus two Riemann surface formed by sewing two tori together. We obtain closed formulas for the genus two partition function for the Heisenberg free bosonic string and for any pair of simple Heisenberg modules. We prove that the partition function is holomorphic in the sewing parameters on a given suitable domain and describe its modular properties for the Heisenberg and lattice vertex operator algebras and a continuous orbifolding of the rank two fermion vertex operator super algebra. We compute the genus two H…
We consider all genus zero and genus one correlation functions for the Virasoro vacuum descendants of a vertex operator algebra. These are described in terms of explicit generating functions that can be combinatorially expressed in terms of graph theory related to derangements in the genus zero case and to partial permutations in the genus one case.
We define and compute the continuous orbifold partition function and a generating function for all $n$-point correlation functions for the rank two free fermion vertex operator superalgebra on a genus two Riemann surface formed by self-sewing a torus. The partition function is proportional to an infinite dimensional determinant with entries arising from torus Szego kernel and the generating function is proportional to a finite determinant of genus two Szego kernels. These results follow from an explicit analysis of all torus $n$-point correlation functions for intertwiners of the irreducible m…
This article is the first report of an ongoing project aimed at finding a geometric interpretation of the Witten genus and other tmf classes. Section 2 reviews the sheaves of chiral differential operators (CDOs) over a complex manifold, including their construction, obstructions and relation with the Witten genus. In section 3, the structure of each sheaf of CDOs is reorganized in terms of modules over the sheaf of holomorphic functions. This invokes the notion of a differential graded vertex algebroid. The construction of sheaves of CDOs is due to Gorbounov, Malikov and Schechtman, and so is …
We define the $n$-point function for a vertex operator algebra on a genus two Riemann surface in two separate sewing schemes where either two tori are sewn together or a handle is sewn to one torus. We explicitly obtain closed formulas for the genus two partition function for the Heisenberg free bosonic string and lattice vertex operator algebras in both sewing schemes. We prove that the partition functions are holomorphic in the sewing parameters on given suitable domains and describe their modular properties. Finally, we show that the partition functions cannot be equal in the neighborhood o…
We define the partition and $n$-point correlation functions for a vertex operator superalgebra on a genus two Riemann surface formed by sewing two tori together. For the free fermion vertex operator superalgebra we obtain a closed formula for the genus two continuous orbifold partition function in terms of an infinite dimensional determinant with entries arising from torus Szegö kernels. We prove that the partition function is holomorphic in the sewing parameters on a given suitable domain and describe its modular properties. Using the bosonized formalism, a new genus two Jacobi product identi…
We provide a novel and simple description of Schellekens' seventy-one affine Kac-Moody structures of self-dual vertex operator algebras of central charge 24 by utilizing cyclic subgroups of the glue codes of the Niemeier lattices with roots. We also discuss a possible uniform construction procedure of the self-dual vertex operator algebras of central charge 24 starting from the Leech lattice. This also allows us to consider the uniqueness question for all non-trivial affine Kac-Moody structures. We finally discuss our description from a Lorentzian viewpoint.
In [H5] (q-alg/9512024) and [H7] (q-alg/9704008), the author introduced the notion of intertwining operator algebra, a nonmeromorphic generalization of the notion of vertex operator algebra involving monodromies. The problem of constructing intertwining operator algebras from representations of suitable vertex operator algebras were solved implicitly earlier in [H3] (q-alg/9505019). In the present paper, we generalize the geometric and operadic formulation of the notion of vertex operator algebra given in [H1], [H2], [HL1] (hep-th/9301009), [HL2] and [H6] to the notion of intertwining operator…
We present a free field realisation for the vertex operator algebra associated to the genus-two, class $\mathcal{S}$ superconformal field theory of type $\mathfrak{a}_1$. The free field realisation is in the style of recent work by the authors, and is formulated in terms of a one-dimensional isotropic lattice vertex algebra along with two pairs of symplectic fermions. Our realisation makes manifest an enhanced ${\rm USp}(4)$ outer automorphism group of the VOA that is inherited from the symplectic fermion system. This extends an ${\rm SU(2)}$ outer automorphism that has been observed in recent…
We introduce certain correlation functions (graded $q$--traces) associated to vertex operator algebras and superalgebras which we refer to as $n$--point functions. These naturally arise in the studies of representations of Lie algebras of differential operators on the circle \cite{Le1}--\cite{Le2}, \cite{M}. We investigate their properties and consider the corresponding graded $q$--traces in parallel with the passage from genus 0 to genus 1 conformal field theory. By using the vertex operator algebra theory we analyze in detail correlation functions in some particular cases. We obtain elliptic…
We introduce the notion of N=1 supergeometric vertex operator superalgebra motivated by the worldsheet geometry underlying genus-zero, two-dimensional, holomorphic N=1 superconformal field theory. We then show, assuming the convergence of certain projective factors, that the category of such objects is isomorphic to the category of N=1 Neveu-Schwarz vertex operator superalgebras.
We give a functorial construction of the genus zero chiral algebras of class $\mathcal{S}$, that is, the vertex algebras corresponding to the theory of class $\mathcal{S}$ associated with genus zero pointed Riemann surfaces via the 4d/2d duality discovered by Beem, Lemos, Liendo, Peelaers, Rastelli and van Rees in physics. We show that there is a unique family of vertex algebras satisfying the required conditions and show that they are all simple and conformal. In fact, our construction works for any complex semisimple group G that is not necessarily simply laced. Furthermore, we show that the…
We describe the construction of the genus-zero parts of conformal field theories in the sense of G. Segal from representations of vertex operator algebras satisfying certain conditions. The construction is divided into four steps and each step gives a mathematical structure of independent interest. These mathematical structures are intertwining operator algebras, genus-zero modular functors, genus-zero holomorphic weakly conformal field theories, and genus-zero conformal field theories.
We consider exceptional vertex operator algebras for which particular Casimir vectors constructed from the primary vectors of lowest conformal weight are Virasoro descendants of the vacuum. We discuss constraints on these theories that follow from an analysis of appropriate genus zero and genus one two point correlation functions. We find explicit differential equations for the partition function in the cases where the lowest weight primary vectors form a Lie algebra or a Griess algebra. Examples include the Wess-Zumino-Witten model for Deligne's exceptional Lie algebras and the Moonshine Modu…
We obtain explicit expressions for all genus one chiral n-point functions for free bosonic and lattice vertex operator algebras. We also consider the elliptic properties of these functions.
This paper is the first in a series of papers developing a functional-analytic theory of vertex (operator) algebras and their representations. For an arbitrary Z-graded finitely-generated vertex algebra (V, Y, 1) satisfying the standard grading-restriction axioms, a locally convex topological completion H of V is constructed. By the geometric interpretation of vertex (operator) algebras, there is a canonical linear map from the tensor product of V and V to the algebraic completion of V realizing linearly the conformal equivalence class of a genus-zero Riemann surface with analytically parametr…
In this article, using an idea of the physics superselection principal, we study a modularity on vertex operator algebras arising from semisimple primary vectors. We generalizes the theta functions on vertex operator algebras and prove that the internal automorphisms do not change the genus one twisted conformal blocks.
We discuss the gluing construction of class $\mathcal{S}$ chiral algebras in derived setting. The gluing construction in non-derived setting was introduced by Arakawa to construct a family of vertex algebras of which the associated varieties give genus zero Moore-Tachikawa symplectic varieties. Motivated by the higher genus case, we introduce a dg vertex algebra version $\mathsf{MT}_{\mathrm{ch}}$ of the category of Moore-Tachikawa symplectic varieties, where a morphism is given by a dg vertex algebra equipped with action of the universal affine vertex algebra, and composition of morphisms is …
We solve the problem of constructing a genus-zero full conformal field theory (a conformal field theory on genus-zero Riemann surfaces containing both chiral and antichiral parts) from representations of a simple vertex operator algebra satisfying certain natural finiteness and reductive conditions. We introduce a notion of full field algebra which is essentially an algebraic formulation of the notion of genus-zero full conformal field theory. For two vertex operator algebras, their tensor product is naturally a full field algebra and we introduce a notion of full field algebra over such a ten…
Given a holomorphic $C_2$-cofinite vertex operator algebra $V$ with graded dimension $j-744$, Borcherds's proof of the monstrous moonshine conjecture implies any finite order automorphism of $V$ has graded trace given by a "completely replicable function", and by work of Cummins and Gannon, these functions are principal moduli of genus zero modular groups. The action of the monster simple group on the monster vertex operator algebra produces 171 such functions, known as the monstrous moonshine functions. We show that 154 of the 157 non-monstrous completely replicable functions cannot possibly …
We compute the partition and correlation generating functions for the Heisenberg intertwiner generalized vertex operator algebra on a genus $g$ Riemann surface in the Schottky uniformization. These are expressed in terms of differential forms of the first, second and third kind, the prime form and the period matrix and are computed by combinatorial methods using a generalization of the MacMahon Master Theorem.
The notion of the genus of a quadratic form is generalized to vertex operator algebras. We define it as the modular braided tensor category associated to a suitable vertex operator algebra together with the central charge. Statements similar as known for quadratic forms are formulated. We further explain how extension problems for vertex operator algebras can bedescribed in terms of the associated modular braided tensor category.