Introduction to Vertex Operator Superalgebras and Their Modules: 456 (Mathematics and Its Applications, 456) - Hardcover

Xiaoping Xu

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0792352424 ISBN 13: 9780792352426

Publisher: Springer, 1998

Synopsis

Vertex algebra was introduced by Boreherds, and the slightly revised notion "vertex oper- ator algebra" was formulated by Frenkel, Lepowsky and Meurman, in order to solve the problem of the moonshine representation of the Monster group - the largest sporadie group. On the one hand, vertex operator algebras ean be viewed as extensions of eertain infinite-dimensional Lie algebras such as affine Lie algebras and the Virasoro algebra. On the other hand, they are natural one-variable generalizations of commutative associative algebras with an identity element. In a certain sense, Lie algebras and commutative asso- ciative algebras are reconciled in vertex operator algebras. Moreover, some other algebraie structures, such as integral linear lattiees, Jordan algebras and noncommutative associa- tive algebras, also appear as subalgebraic structures of vertex operator algebras. The axioms of vertex operator algebra have geometrie interpretations in terms of Riemman spheres with punctures. The trace functions of a certain component of vertex operators enjoy the modular invariant properties. Vertex operator algebras appeared in physies as the fundamental algebraic structures of eonformal field theory, whieh plays an important role in string theory and statistieal meehanies. Moreover,eonformalfieldtheoryreveals animportantmathematiealproperty,the so called "mirror symmetry" among Calabi-Yau manifolds. The general correspondence between vertex operator algebras and Calabi-Yau manifolds still remains mysterious. Ever since the first book on vertex operator algebras by Frenkel, Lepowsky and Meur- man was published in 1988, there has been a rapid development in vertex operator su- peralgebras, which are slight generalizations of vertex operator algebras.

About this title

Review

`... well-written, with many improvements of known results and existing proofs. The researchers and the graduate students will use this book both as a graduate textbook and as a useful reference...'
Zentralblatt MATH, 929 (2000)

Synopsis

This book presents a systematic study on the structures of vertex operator superalgebras and their modules. Related theories of self-dual codes and lattices are included, as well as recent achievements on classifications of certain simple vertex operator superalgebras and their irreducible twisted modules, constructions of simple vertex operator superalgebras from graded associative algebras and their anti-involutions, self-dual codes and lattices. This book is of interest to researchers and graduate students in mathematics and mathematical physics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792352424
• ISBN 13: 9780792352426
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 376