Classification Problems for Vertex Algebras

by Dr Sven Möller (Universität Hamburg)

Tuesday 10 May 2022, 17:00 → 18:00 Europe/Berlin

H4 (Geomatikum)

Abstract:
Vertex (operator) algebras describe 2-dimensional conformal field theories in physics. They were introduced in the 1980s to explain mysterious connections between number and representation theory (monstrous moonshine). Not long ago, they were also shown to capture certain aspects of 4-dimensional superconformal field theories.

In this talk I will describe recent classification results for holomorphic vertex algebras of central charge 24 by means of certain modular forms (vector-valued Eisenstein series). Moreover, I will sketch classification problems arising in the context of 4-dimensional physics.