Introduction To Vertex Operator Algebras And Their Representations

The deep and relatively new field of vertex operator algebras is intimately related to a variety of areas in mathematics and physics: for example, the concepts of "monstrous moonshine," infinite-dimensional Lie theory, string theory, and conformal field theory. This book introduces the reader to the fundamental theory of vertex operator algebras and its basic techniques and examples. Beginning with a detailed presentation of the theoretical foundations and proceeding to a range of applications,the text includes a number of new, original results and also highlights and brings fresh perspective to important works of many researchers. After introducing the elementary "formal calculus'' underlying the subject, the book provides an axiomaticdevelopment of vertex operator algebras and their modules, expanding on the early contributions of R. Borcherds, I. Frenkel, J. Lepowsky, A. Meurman, Y.-Z. Huang, C. Dong, Y. Zhu and others. The concept of a "representation'' of a vertex (operator) algebra is treated in detail, following and extending the work of H. Li; this approach is used to construct important families of vertex (operator) algebras and their modules. Requiring only a familiarity with basic algebra, Introduction to Vertex Operator Algebras and Their Representations will be useful for graduate students and researchers in mathematics and physics. The books presentation of the core topics will equip readers to embark on many active research directions related to vertex operator algebras, group theory, representation theory, and string theory.