Symmetric function combinatorics and conformal field theory

by Dr Wood Simon (University Cardiff)

Tuesday 31 Jan 2023, 17:00 → 18:00 Europe/Berlin

H4 (Geom)

Abstract: Vertex operator algebras form the rigorous algebraic axiomatisation of a chiral algebra in conformal field theory. To a large extent these can be thought of as a generalisation of commutative unital algebras with a derivation and many concepts and constructions carry over from commutative algebras to vertex operator algebras. One key difference though is that modules over vertex operator algebras can be hard to find (or classify). In this talk I will present how for certain classes of vertex operator algebras module classification problems can be recast as much simpler combinatorial problems in symmetric function theory. No prior knowledge on vertex operator algebras or symmetric functions will be assumed.