On the fundamental representation of Borcherds algebras with one imaginary simple root

Borcherds algebras represent a new class of Lie algebras which have almost all the properties that ordinary Kac-Moody algebras have, and the only major difference is that these generalized Kac-Moody algebras are allowed to have imaginary simple roots. The simplest nontrivial examples one can think of are those where one adds ``by hand'' one imaginary simple root to an ordinary Kac-Moody algebra. We study the fundamental representation of this class of examples and prove that an irreducible module is given by the full tensor algebra over some integrable highest weight module of the underlying Kac-Moody algebra. We also comment on possible realizations of these Lie algebras in physics as symmetry algebras in quantum field theory.Comment: 8 page

Symmetries in M-theory: Monsters, Inc

We will review the algebras which have been conjectured as symmetries in M-theory. The Borcherds algebras, which are the most general Lie algebras under control, seem natural candidates.Comment: 6 pages, talk given by PHL at Cargese 200

Jacobi Identity for Vertex Algebras in Higher Dimensions

Vertex algebras in higher dimensions provide an algebraic framework for investigating axiomatic quantum field theory with global conformal invariance. We develop further the theory of such vertex algebras by introducing formal calculus techniques and investigating the notion of polylocal fields. We derive a Jacobi identity which together with the vacuum axiom can be taken as an equivalent definition of vertex algebra.Comment: 35 pages, references adde

A pp-adic Approach to the Weil Representation of Discriminant Forms Arising from Even Lattices

Suppose that $M$ is an even lattice with dual $M^{*}$ and level $N$. Then the group $Mp_{2}(\mathbb{Z})$, which is the unique non-trivial double cover of $SL_{2}(\mathbb{Z})$, admits a representation $\rho_{M}$, called the Weil representation, on the space $\mathbb{C}[M^{*}/M]$. The main aim of this paper is to show how the formulae for the $\rho_{M}$-action of a general element of $Mp_{2}(\mathbb{Z})$ can be obtained by a direct evaluation which does not depend on ``external objects'' such as theta functions. We decompose the Weil representation $\rho_{M}$ into $p$-parts, in which each $p$-part can be seen as subspace of the Schwartz functions on the $p$-adic vector space $M_{\mathbb{Q}_{p}}$. Then we consider the Weil representation of $Mp_{2}(\mathbb{Q}_{p})$ on the space of Schwartz functions on $M_{\mathbb{Q}_{p}}$, and see that restricting to $Mp_{2}(\mathbb{Z})$ just gives the $p$-part of $\rho_{M}$ again. The operators attained by the Weil representation are not always those appearing in the formulae from 1964, but are rather their multiples by certain roots of unity. For this, one has to find which pair of elements, lying over a matrix in $SL_{2}(\mathbb{Q}_{p})$, belong to the metaplectic double cover. Some other properties are also investigated.Comment: 29 pages, shortened a lo

Integral Grothendieck-Riemann-Roch theorem

We show that, in characteristic zero, the obvious integral version of the Grothendieck-Riemann-Roch formula obtained by clearing the denominators of the Todd and Chern characters is true (without having to divide the Chow groups by their torsion subgroups). The proof introduces an alternative to Grothendieck's strategy: we use resolution of singularities and the weak factorization theorem for birational maps.Comment: 24 page

The structure of the Kac-Wang-Yan algebra

The Lie algebra $\mathcal{D}$ of regular differential operators on the circle has a universal central extension $\hat{\mathcal{D}}$. The invariant subalgebra $\hat{\mathcal{D}}^+$ under an involution preserving the principal gradation was introduced by Kac, Wang, and Yan. The vacuum $\hat{\mathcal{D}}^+$-module with central charge $c\in\mathbb{C}$, and its irreducible quotient $\mathcal{V}_c$, possess vertex algebra structures, and $\mathcal{V}_c$ has a nontrivial structure if and only if $c\in \frac{1}{2}\mathbb{Z}$. We show that for each integer $n>0$, $\mathcal{V}_{n/2}$ and $\mathcal{V}_{-n}$ are $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of types $\mathcal{W}(2,4,\dots,2n)$ and $\mathcal{W}(2,4,\dots, 2n^2+4n)$, respectively. These results are formal consequences of Weyl's first and second fundamental theorems of invariant theory for the orthogonal group $\text{O}(n)$ and the symplectic group $\text{Sp}(2n)$, respectively. Based on Sergeev's theorems on the invariant theory of $\text{Osp}(1,2n)$ we conjecture that $\mathcal{V}_{-n + 1/2}$ is of type $\mathcal{W}(2,4,\dots, 4n^2+8n+2)$, and we prove this for $n=1$. As an application, we show that invariant subalgebras of $\beta\gamma$-systems and free fermion algebras under arbitrary reductive group actions are strongly finitely generated.Comment: Final versio

Absence of Dipole Transitions in Vortices of Type II Superconductors

The response of a single vortex to a time dependent field is examined microscopically and an equation of motion for vortex motion at non-zero frequencies is derived. Of interest are frequencies near $\Delta^{2}/E_{F}$, where $\Delta$ is the bulk energy gap and $E_{F}$ is the fermi energy. The low temperature, clean, extreme type II limit and maintaining of equilibrium with the lattice are assumed. A simplification occurs for large planar mass anisotropy. Thus the results may be pertinent to materials such as $NbSe_2$ and high temperature superconductors. The expected dipole transition between core states is hidden because of the self consistent nature of the vortex potential. Instead the vortex itself moves and has a resonance at the frequency of the transition.Comment: 12 pages, no figure

Genus Two Partition and Correlation Functions for Fermionic Vertex Operator Superalgebras I

We define the partition and $n$-point correlation functions for a vertex operator superalgebra on a genus two Riemann surface formed by sewing two tori together. For the free fermion vertex operator superalgebra we obtain a closed formula for the genus two continuous orbifold partition function in terms of an infinite dimensional determinant with entries arising from torus Szeg\"o kernels. We prove that the partition function is holomorphic in the sewing parameters on a given suitable domain and describe its modular properties. Using the bosonized formalism, a new genus two Jacobi product identity is described for the Riemann theta series. We compute and discuss the modular properties of the generating function for all $n$-point functions in terms of a genus two Szeg\"o kernel determinant. We also show that the Virasoro vector one point function satisfies a genus two Ward identity.Comment: A number of typos have been corrected, 39 pages. To appear in Commun. Math. Phy

Borcherds Algebras and N=4 Topological Amplitudes

The perturbative spectrum of BPS-states in the E_8 x E_8 heterotic string theory compactified on T^2 is analysed. We show that the space of BPS-states forms a representation of a certain Borcherds algebra G which we construct explicitly using an auxiliary conformal field theory. The denominator formula of an extension G_{ext} \supset G of this algebra is then found to appear in a certain heterotic one-loop N=4 topological string amplitude. Our construction thus gives an N=4 realisation of the idea envisioned by Harvey and Moore, namely that the `algebra of BPS-states' controls the threshold corrections in the heterotic string.Comment: 39 page

BKM Lie superalgebras from counting twisted CHL dyons

Following Sen[arXiv:0911.1563], we study the counting of (`twisted') BPS states that contribute to twisted helicity trace indices in four-dimensional CHL models with N=4 supersymmetry. The generating functions of half-BPS states, twisted as well as untwisted, are given in terms of multiplicative eta products with the Mathieu group, M_{24}, playing an important role. These multiplicative eta products enable us to construct Siegel modular forms that count twisted quarter-BPS states. The square-roots of these Siegel modular forms turn out be precisely a special class of Siegel modular forms, the dd-modular forms, that have been classified by Clery and Gritsenko[arXiv:0812.3962]. We show that each one of these dd-modular forms arise as the Weyl-Kac-Borcherds denominator formula of a rank-three Borcherds-Kac-Moody Lie superalgebra. The walls of the Weyl chamber are in one-to-one correspondence with the walls of marginal stability in the corresponding CHL model for twisted dyons as well as untwisted ones. This leads to a periodic table of BKM Lie superalgebras with properties that are consistent with physical expectations.Comment: LaTeX, 32 pages; (v2) matches published versio