PIRSA:16040100

Video URL

https://pirsa.org/16040100

The classification of chiral WZW models

Henriques, A. (2016). The classification of chiral WZW models. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. https://pirsa.org/16040100

Henriques, Andre. The classification of chiral WZW models. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Apr. 05, 2016, https://pirsa.org/16040100 

          @misc{ scivideos_PIRSA:16040100,
            doi = {10.48660/16040100},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/16040100},
            author = {Henriques, Andre},
            keywords = {Mathematical physics},
            language = {en},
            title = {The classification of chiral WZW models},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics},
            year = {2016},
            month = {apr},
            note = {PIRSA:16040100 see, \url{https://scivideos.org/index.php/pirsa/16040100}}
          }

Andre Henriques University of Oxford

Talk numberPIRSA:16040100
DOI10.48660/16040100
Source RepositoryPIRSA
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

I will explain how to axiomatize the notion of a chiral WZW model using the formalism of VOAs (vertex operator algebras). This class of models is in almost bijective correspondence with pairs (G,k), where G is a connected (not necessarily simply connected) Lie group and k in H^4(BG,Z) is a degree four cohomology class subject to a certain positivity condition. To my surprise, I have found a couple extra models which satisfy all the defining properties of chiral WZW models, but which don't come from pairs (G,k) as above. The simplest such model is the simple current extension of the affine VOA E8xE8 at level (2,2) by the group Z/2. Thus from a quantum perspective, the Lie group E8 x E8 behaves as if it had a non-trivial center.

 

It is interesting to note that, unlike Chern–Simons theories whose gauge group can be disconnected, the gauge group of a chiral WZW model is necessarily connected. This raises the question of what is the chiral WZW model associated to a disconnected gauge group? Whatever the answer turns out to be, mathematicians will probably need to enlarge the class of objects that they agree to call ‘chiral conformal field theories’ in order to accommodate these yet to be defined models.

I will present some speculations on the matter.