We describe a logarithmic tensor product theory for certain module categories for a ``conformal vertex algebra.'' In this theory, which is a natural, although intricate, generalization of earlier work of Huang and Lepowsky, we do not require the module categories to be semisimple, and we accommodate modules with generalized weight spaces. The corresponding intertwining operators contain logarithms of the variables.
This is the second part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part II), we develop logarithmic formal calculus and study logarithmic intertwining operators.
This is the eighth part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part VIII), we construct the braided tensor category structure, using the previously developed results.
This is the first in a series of papers where we study logarithmic intertwining operators for various vertex subalgebras of Heisenberg vertex operator algebras. In this paper we examine logarithmic intertwining operators associated with rank one Heisenberg vertex operator algebra $M(1)_a$, of central charge $1-12a^2$. We classify these operators in terms of {\em depth} and provide explicit constructions in all cases. Furthermore, for $a=0$ we focus on the vertex operator subalgebra L(1,0) of $M(1)_0$ and obtain logarithmic intertwining operators among indecomposable Virasoro algebra modules. I…
By extending the methods used in our earlier work, in this paper, we present an explicit realization of logarithmic $\mathcal{W}_{p,p'$}-modules that have L(0) nilpotent rank three. This was achieved by combining the techniques developed in \cite{AdM-2009} with the theory of local systems of vertex operators \cite{LL}. In addition, we also construct a new type of extension of $\mathcal{W}_{p,p'}$, denoted by $\mathcal{V}$. Our results confirm several claims in the physics literature regarding the structure of projective covers of certain irreducible representations in the principal block. This…
We generalize the tensor product theory for modules for a vertex operator algebra previously developed in a series of papers by the first two authors to suitable module categories for a ''conformal vertex algebra'' or even more generally, for a "Möbius vertex algebra.'' We do not require the module categories to be semisimple, and we accommodate modules with generalized weight spaces. As in the earlier series of papers, our tensor product functors depend on a complex variable, but in the present generality, the logarithm of the complex variable is required; the general representation theory of…
In [8], the affine vertex algebra $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ is realized as a subalgebra of the vertex algebra $Vir_c \otimes Π(0)$, where $Vir_c$ is a simple Virasoro vertex algebra and $Π(0)$ is a half-lattice vertex algebra. Moreover, all $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$--modules (including, modules in the category $KL_k$, relaxed highest weight modules and logarithmic modules) are realized as $Vir_c \otimes Π(0)$--modules. A natural question is the generalization of this construction in higher rank. In the current paper, we study the case $\mathfrak{g}= \mathfrak{sl}_3$ and present realization of the VO…
We generalize the tensor product theory for modules for a vertex operator algebra previously developed in a series of papers by the first two authors to suitable module categories for a ``conformal vertex algebra'' or even more generally, for a "Möbius vertex algebra.'' We do not require the module categories to be semisimple, and we accommodate modules with generalized weight spaces. As in the earlier series of papers, our tensor product functors depend on a complex variable, but in the present generality, the logarithm of the complex variable is involved. This first part is devoted to the st…
We consider a class of weak modules for vertex operator algebras that we call logarithmic modules. We also construct nontrivial examples of intertwining operators between certain logarithmic modules for the Virasoro vertex operator algebra. At the end we speculate about some possible logarithmic intertwiners at the level $c=0$.
This is the third part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part III), we introduce and study intertwining maps and tensor product bifunctors.
This is the fourth part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part IV), we give constructions of the P(z)- and Q(z)-tensor product bifunctors using what we call "compatibility conditions" and certain other conditions.
Using some new logarithmic formal calculus, we construct a well known vertex algebra, obtaining the Jacobi identity directly, in an essentially self-contained treatment.
Given a non-semisimple braided tensor category, with oplax tensor functors from known braided tensor categories, we ask : How does this knowledge characterize the tensor product and the braiding? We develop tools that address this question. In particular we prove that the associator is fixed by the oplax tensor functors, and we show that a distinguished role is played by the coalgebra structure on the image of theses tensor functors. Our setup constrains the form of quasi bialgebras appearing in the logarithmic Kazhdan-Lusztig conjecture and it applies in particular to the representation categ…
Let $V$ be a vertex operator algebra satisfying suitable conditions such that in particular its module category has a natural vertex tensor category structure, and consequently, a natural braided tensor category structure. We prove that the notions of extension (i.e., enlargement) of $V$ and of commutative associative algebra, with uniqueness of unit and with trivial twist, in the braided tensor category of $V$-modules are equivalent.
We incorporate a category of certain modules for an affine Lie algebra, of a certain fixed non-positive-integral level, considered by Kazhdan and Lusztig, into the representation theory of vertex operator algebras, by using the logarithmic tensor product theory for generalized modules for a vertex operator algebra developed by Huang, Lepowsky and the author. We do this by proving that the conditions for applying this general logarithmic tensor product theory hold. As a consequence, we prove that this category has a natural vertex tensor category structure, and in particular we obtain a new, ve…
A general method for constructing logarithmic modules in vertex operator algebra theory is presented. By utilizing this approach, we give explicit vertex operator construction of certain indecomposable and logarithmic modules for the triplet vertex algebra W(p) and for other subalgebras of lattice vertex algebras and their N=1 super extensions. We analyze in detail indecomposable modules obtained in this way, giving further evidence for the conjectural equivalence between the category of W(p)-modules and the category of modules for the restricted quantum group $\bar{\mathcal{U}}_q(sl_2)$ at ro…
This is the fifth part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part V), we study products and iterates of intertwining maps and of logarithmic intertwining operators and we begin the development of our analytic approach.
This is the seventh part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part VII), we give sufficient conditions for the existence of the associativity isomorphisms.
We provide a ribbon tensor equivalence between the representation category of small quantum SL(2), at parameter q=exp($π$ i/p), and the representation category of the triplet vertex operator algebra at integral parameter p>1. We provide similar quantum group equivalences for representation categories associated to the Virasoro, and singlet vertex operator algebras at central charge c=1-6(p-1)^2/p. These results resolve a number of fundamental conjectures coming from studies of logarithmic CFTs in type A_1.
We give results and observations which allow the application of the logarithmic tensor category theory of Lepowsky, Zhang and the author ([HLZ1]--[HLZ9]) to more general vertex (operator) algebras and their module categories than those studied in a paper by the author ([H3]).
We construct a family of vertex algebras associated to the current algebra of finite-dimensional abelian Lie algebras along with their modules and logarithmic modules. We show this family of vertex algebras and their modules are quasi-conformal and strongly $\N$-graded and verify convergence and extension property needed in the logarithmic tensor category theory for strongly graded logarithmic modules developed by Huang, Lepowsky and Zhang.
Motivated by logarithmic conformal field theory and Gromov-Witten theory, we introduce a notion of a twisted module of a vertex algebra under an arbitrary (not necessarily semisimple) automorphism. Its main feature is that the twisted fields involve the logarithm of the formal variable. We develop the theory of such twisted modules and, in particular, derive a Borcherds identity and commutator formula for them. We investigate in detail the examples of affine and Heisenberg vertex algebras.
This is the sixth part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. In this paper (Part VI), we construct the appropriate natural associativity isomorphisms between triple tensor product functors. In fact, we establish a "logarithmic operator product expansion" theorem for logarithmic intertwining operators. In this part, a great deal of analytic reasoning is needed; the statements of the main theorems themselves involve convergence assertions.
We introduce the main concepts and announce the main results in a theory of tensor products for module categories for a vertex operator algebra. This theory is being developed in a series of papers including hep-th 9309076 and hep-th 9309159. The theory applies in particular to any ``rational'' vertex operator algebra for which products of intertwining operators are known to be convergent in the appropriate regions, including the vertex operator algebras associated with the WZNW models, the minimal models and the moonshine module for the Monster. In this paper, we provide background and motiva…
We construct two associative algebras from a vertex operator algebra $V$ and a general automorphism $g$ of $V$. The first, called $g$-twisted zero-mode algebra, is a subquotient of what we call $g$-twisted universal enveloping algebra of $V$. These algebras are generalizations of the corresponding algebras introduced and studied by Frenkel-Zhu and Nagatomo-Tsuchiya in the (untwisted) case that $g$ is the identity. The other is a generalization of the $g$-twisted version of Zhu's algebra for suitable $g$-twisted modules constructed by Dong-Li-Mason when the order of $g$ is finite. We are mainly…
The $\mathcal{B}_p$-algebras are a family of vertex operator algebras parameterized by $p\in \mathbb Z_{\geq 2}$. They are important examples of logarithmic CFTs and appear as chiral algebras of type $(A_1, A_{2p-3})$ Argyres-Douglas theories. The first member of this series, the $\mathcal{B}_2$-algebra, are the well-known symplectic bosons also often called the $βγ$ vertex operator algebra. We study categories related to the $\mathcal{B}_p$ vertex operator algebras using their conjectural relation to unrolled restricted quantum groups of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$. These categories are braided, rigid …
We describe explicitly the vertex algebra of (twisted) chiral differential operators on certain nilmanifolds and construct their logarithmic modules. This is achieved by generalizing the construction of vertex operators in terms of exponentiated scalar fields to Jacobi theta functions naturally appearing in these nilmanifolds. This provides with a non-trivial example of logarithmic vertex algebra modules, a theory recently developed by Bakalov.
This is the first part in a series of papers in which we introduce and develop a natural, general tensor category theory for suitable module categories for a vertex (operator) algebra. This theory generalizes the tensor category theory for modules for a vertex operator algebra previously developed in a series of papers by the first two authors to suitable module categories for a "conformal vertex algebra" or even more generally, for a "Möbius vertex algebra." We do not require the module categories to be semisimple, and we accommodate modules with generalized weight spaces. As in the earlier s…
We study relationships between the restricted unrolled quantum group $\overline{U}_q^H(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ at $2r$-th root of unity $q=e^{πi/r}, r \geq 2$, and the singlet vertex operator algebra $\mathcal M(r)$. We use deformable families of modules to efficiently compute $(1, 1)$-tangle invariants colored with projective modules of $\overline{U}_q^H(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$. These relate to the colored Alexander tangle invariants studied in [ADO, M1]. It follows that the regularized asymptotic dimensions of characters of $\mathcal M(r)$ coincide with the corresponding modified traces of open Hopf lin…
This is the first part in a series of papers developing a tensor product theory for modules for a vertex operator algebra. The goal of this theory is to construct a ``vertex tensor category'' structure on the category of modules for a suitable vertex operator algebra. The notion of vertex tensor category is essentially a ``complex analogue'' of the notion of symmetric tensor category, and in fact a vertex tensor category produces a braided tensor category in a natural way. The theory applies in particular to many familiar ``rational'' vertex operator algebras, including those associated with W…
This is Part I of a series of papers constructing intertwining operator superalgebras and vertex tensor categories associated to the superconformal minimal models and other related models. In this paper, we construct the intertwining operator superalgebras and vertex tensor categories in the N=1 case.
We construct the intertwining operator superalgebras and vertex tensor categories for the N=2 superconformal unitary minimal models and other related models.
We derive certain systems of differential equations for matrix elements of products and iterates of logarithmic intertwining operators among strongly graded generalized modules for a strongly graded conformal vertex algebra under suitable assumptions. Using these systems of differential equations, we verify the convergence and extension property needed in the logarithmic tensor category theory for such strongly graded generalized modules developed by Huang, Lepowsky and Zhang.
Families of vertex algebras associated to nilpotent elements of simply-laced Lie algebras are constructed. These algebras are close cousins of logarithmic W-algebras of Feigin and Tipunin and they are also obtained as modifications of semiclassical limits of vertex algebras appearing in the context of $S$-duality for four-dimensional gauge theories. In the case of type $A$ and principal nilpotent element the character agrees precisely with the Schur-Index formula for corresponding Argyres-Douglas theories with irregular singularities. For other nilpotent elements they are identified with Schur…
This is the second part in a series of papers presenting a theory of tensor products for module categories for a vertex operator algebra. In Part I (hep-th/9309076), the notions of $P(z)$- and $Q(z)$-tensor product of two modules for a vertex operator algebra were introduced and under a certain hypothesis, two constructions of a $Q(z)$-tensor product were given, using certain results stated without proof. In Part II, the proofs of those results are supplied.
We construct projective covers of irreducible V-modules in the category of grading-restricted generalized V-modules when V is a vertex operator algebra satisfying the following conditions: 1. V is C_{1}-cofinite in the sense of Li. 2. There exists a positive integer N such that the differences between the real parts of the lowest conformal weights of irreducible V-modules are bounded by N and such that the associative algebra A_{N}(V) is finite dimensional. This result shows that the category of grading-restricted generalized V-modules is a finite abelian category over C. Using the existence o…
We discuss our recent results on the representation theory of $\mathcal{W}$--algebras relevant to Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. First we explain some general constructions of $\mathcal{W}$-algebras coming from screening operators. Then we review the results on $C_2$--cofiniteness, the structure of Zhu's algebras, and the existence of logarithmic modules for triplet vertex algebras. We propose some conjectures and open problems which put the theory of triplet vertex algebras into a broader context. New realizations of logarithmic modules for $\mathcal{W}$-algebras defined via screenings a…
The rank 1 bosonic ghost vertex algebra, also known as the $βγ$ ghosts, symplectic bosons or Weyl vertex algebra, is a simple example of a conformal field theory which is neither rational, nor $C_2$-cofinite. We identify a module category, denoted category $\mathscr{F}$, which satisfies three necessary conditions coming from conformal field theory considerations: closure under restricted duals, closure under fusion and closure under the action of the modular group on characters. We prove the second of these conditions, with the other two already being known. Further, we show that category $\ma…
We review the construction of braided tensor categories and modular tensor categories from representations of vertex operator algebras, which correspond to chiral algebras in physics. The extensive and general theory underlying this construction also establishes the operator product expansion for intertwining operators, which correspond to chiral vertex operators, and more generally, it establishes the logarithmic operator product expansion for logarithmic intertwining operators. We review the main ideas in the construction of the tensor product bifunctors and the associativity isomorphisms. F…
We construct integral forms containing the conformal vector $ω$ in certain tensor powers of the Virasoro vertex operator algebra $L(\frac{1}{2},0)$, and we construct integral forms in certain modules for these algebras. When a triple of modules for a tensor power of $L(\frac{1}{2},0)$ have integral forms, we classify which intertwining operators among these modules respect the integral forms. As an application, we explore how these results might be used to obtain integral forms in framed vertex operator algebras.
In the references [HL1]--[HL5] and [H1], a theory of tensor products of modules for a vertex operator algebra is being developed. To use this theory, one first has to verify that the vertex operator algebra satisfies certain conditions. We show in the present paper that for any vertex operator algebra containing a vertex operator subalgebra isomorphic to a tensor product algebra of minimal Virasoro vertex operator algebras (vertex operator algebras associated to minimal models), the tensor product theory can be applied. In particular, intertwining operators for such a vertex operator algebra s…
We found a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of the tensor product of modules over a vertex algebra. We defined the notion of vertex bilinear map and we provide two algebraic construction of the tensor product, where one of them is of ring theoretical type. We show the relation between the tensor product and the vertex homomorphisms. We prove the commutativity of the tensor product. We also prove the associativity of the tensor product of modules under certain necessary and sufficient condition. Finally, we show certain functorial properties of the vertex homomorphims and th…
The two pillars of rational conformal field theory and rational vertex operator algebras are modularity of characters on the one hand and its interpretation of modules as objects in a modular tensor category on the other one. Overarching these pillars is the Verlinde formula. In this paper we consider the more general class of logarithmic conformal field theories and $C_2$-cofinite vertex operator algebras. We suggest that their modular pillar are trace functions with insertions corresponding to intertwiners of the projective cover of the vacuum, and that the categorical pillar are finite tens…
We first formulate a definition of tensor product for two modules for a vertex operator algebra in terms of a certain universal property and then we give a construction of tensor products. We prove the unital property of the adjoint module and the commutativity of tensor products, up to module isomorphism. We relate this tensor product construction with Frenkel and Zhu's $A(M)$-theory. We give a proof of a formula of Frenkel and Zhu for fusion rules. We also give the analogue of the ``Hom''-functor of classical Lie algebra theory for vertex operator algebra theory by introducing a notion of ``…
We construct and classify $(1 \; 2\; \cdots \; k)$-twisted $V^{\otimes k}$-modules for $k$ odd and for $V$ a vertex operator superalgebra. This extends previous results of the author, along with Dong and Mason, classifying all permutation-twisted modules for tensor product vertex operator algebras, to the setting of vertex operator superalgebras for odd order permutations. We show why this construction does not extend to the case of permutations of even order in the superalgebra case and how the construction and classification in the even order case is fundamentally different than that for the…
This is an expository article invited for the ``Commentary'' section of PNAS in connection with Y.-Z. Huang's article, ``Vertex operator algebras, the Verlinde conjecture, and modular tensor categories,'' appearing in the same issue of PNAS. Huang's solution of the mathematical problem of constructing modular tensor categories from the representation theory of vertex operator algebras is very briefly discussed, along with background material. The hypotheses of the theorems entering into the solution are very general, natural and purely algebraic, and have been verified in a wide range of famil…
In this paper we introduce and study a twisted tensor product construction of nonlocal vertex algebras. Among the main results, we establish a universal property and give a characterization of a twisted tensor product. Furthermore, we give a construction of modules for a twisted tensor product. We also show that smash products studied by one of us before can be realized as twisted tensor products.
This is the third part in a series of papers developing a tensor product theory for modules for a vertex operator algebra. The goal of this theory is to construct a ``vertex tensor category'' structure on the category of modules for a suitable vertex operator algebra. The notion of vertex tensor category is essentially a ``complex analogue'' of the notion of symmetric tensor category, and in fact a vertex tensor category produces a braided tensor category in a natural way. In this paper, we focus on a particular element $P(z)$ of a certain moduli space of three-punctured Riemann spheres; in ge…
We introduce a subalgebra $\overline F$ of the Clifford vertex superalgebra ($bc$ system) which is completely reducible as a $L^{Vir} (-2,0)$-module, $C_2$-cofinite, but it is not conformal and it is not isomorphic to the symplectic fermion algebra $\mathcal{SF}(1)$. We show that $\mathcal{SF}(1)$ and $\overline{F}$ are in an interesting duality, since $\overline{F}$ can be equipped with the structure of a $\mathcal{SF}(1)$-module and vice versa. Using the decomposition of $\overline F$ and a free-field realization from arXiv:1711.11342, we decompose $L_k(\mathfrak{osp}(1\vert 2))$ at the crit…
We study strongly graded vertex algebras and their strongly graded modules, which are conformal vertex algebras and their modules with a second, compatible grading by an abelian group satisfying certain grading restriction conditions. We consider a tensor product of strongly graded vertex algebras and its tensor product strongly graded modules. We prove that a tensor product of strongly graded irreducible modules for a tensor product of strongly graded vertex algebras is irreducible, and that such irreducible modules, up to equivalence, exhaust certain naturally defined strongly graded irreduc…
We apply the general theory of tensor products of modules for a vertex operator algebra developed in our papers hep-th/9309076, hep-th/9309159, hep-th/9401119, q-alg/9505018, q-alg/9505019 and q-alg/9505020 to the case of the Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten models and related models in conformal field theory. We show that for the category of modules for a vertex operator algebra containing a subalgebra isomorphic to a tensor product of rational vertex operator algebras associated to affine Lie algebras, the intertwining operators among the modules have the associativity property, the category has a…
We show that direct limit completions of vertex tensor categories inherit vertex and braided tensor category structures, under conditions that hold for example for all known Virasoro and affine Lie algebra tensor categories. A consequence is that the theory of vertex operator (super)algebra extensions also applies to infinite-order extensions. As an application, we relate rigid and non-degenerate vertex tensor categories of certain modules for both the affine vertex superalgebra of $\mathfrak{osp}(1|2)$ and the $N=1$ super Virasoro algebra to categories of Virasoro algebra modules via certain …
We give a new, construction-free proof of the associativity of tensor product for modules for rational vertex operator algebras under certain convergence conditions.
We discuss what has been achieved in the past twenty years on the construction and study of a braided finite tensor category structure on a suitable module category for a suitable vertex operator algebra. We identify the main difficult parts in the construction, discuss the methods developed to overcome these difficulties and present some further problems that still need to be solved. We also choose to discuss three among the numerous applications of the construction.
