Lattices with many Borcherds products

We prove that there are only finitely many isometry classes of even lattices $L$ of signature $(2,n)$ for which the space of cusp forms of weight $1+n/2$ for the Weil representation of the discriminant group of $L$ is trivial. We compute the list of these lattices. They have the property that every Heegner divisor for the orthogonal group of $L$ can be realized as the divisor of a Borcherds product. We obtain similar classification results in greater generality for finite quadratic modules.Comment: 31 pages, 1 figur

Introduction to Vertex Algebras, Borcherds Algebras, and the Monster Lie Algebra

The theory of vertex algebras constitutes a mathematically rigorous axiomatic formulation of the algebraic origins of conformal field theory. In this context Borcherds algebras arise as certain ``physical'' subspaces of vertex algebras. The aim of this review is to give a pedagogical introduction into this rapidly-developing area of mathemat% ics. Based on the machinery of formal calculus we present the axiomatic definition of vertex algebras. We discuss the connection with conformal field theory by deriving important implications of these axioms. In particular, many explicit calculations are presented to stress the eminent role of the Jacobi identity axiom for vertex algebras. As a class of concrete examples the vertex algebras associated with even lattices are constructed and it is shown in detail how affine Lie algebras and the fake Monster Lie algebra naturally appear. This leads us to the abstract definition of Borcherds algebras as generalized Kac-Moody algebras and their basic properties. Finally, the results about the simplest generic Borcherds algebras are analysed from the point of view of symmetry in quantum theory and the construction of the Monster Lie algebra is sketched.Comment: 55 pages, (two minor changes thanks to comment by R. Borcherds

Standard and Non-standard Extensions of Lie algebras

We study the problem of quadruple extensions of simple Lie algebras. We find that, adding a new simple root $\alpha_{+4}$, it is not possible to have an extended Kac-Moody algebra described by a Dynkin-Kac diagram with simple links and no loops between the dots, while it is possible if $\alpha_{+4}$ is a Borcherds imaginary simple root. We also comment on the root lattices of these new algebras. The folding procedure is applied to the simply-laced triple extended Lie algebras, obtaining all the non-simply laced ones. Non- standard extension procedures for a class of Lie algebras are proposed. It is shown that the 2-extensions of $E_{8}$, with a dot simply linked to the Dynkin-Kac diagram of $E_{9}$, are rank 10 subalgebras of $E_{10}$. Finally the simple root systems of a set of rank 11 subalgebras of $E_{11}$, containing as sub-algebra $E_{10}$, are explicitly written.Comment: Revised version. Inaccurate statements corrected. Expanded version with added reference