Search

We show that Kazhdan and Lusztig's category $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ of modules for the affine Lie algebra $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}_2$ at an admissible level $k$, equivalently the category of finite-length grading-restricted generalized modules for the universal affine vertex operator algebra $V^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$, is a braided tensor category. Although this tensor category is not rigid, we show that the subcategory of all rigid objects in $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ is equal to the subcategory of all projective objects, and that every simple module in $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ has a projective cover. Moreover, we show that the full subcategory of projective objects in $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ is monoidal equivalent to the category of tilting modules for quantum $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at the root of unity $\zeta=e^{\pi i/(k+2)}$. Using this, we establish a universal property of the tensor category $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$, and as an application, we prove a weak Kazhdan-Lusztig correspondence, that is, we obtain an exact essentially surjective (but not full or faithful) tensor functor from $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ to the category of finite dimensional weight modules for the quantum group associated to $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at the root of unity $\zeta $. We also use the universal property to classify the categories $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ up to (braided) tensor equivalence and to obtain a tensor-categorical version of quantum Drinfeld-Sokolov reduction, that is, we construct a braided tensor functor from $KL^k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ to a category of modules for the Virasoro algebra at central charge $1-\frac{6(k+1)^2}{k+2}$., Comment: 75 pages

Many natural and engineering systems involve the mixing of two fluid streams, in which the effects of density and viscosity gradients play important roles in determining flow stability. We perform linear stability calculations for a jet emerging into an ambient medium of a different viscosity but the same density. These calculations are intended to isolate the effects of viscosity variation alone. We conduct a systematic study of the effect of ambient-to-jet viscosity ratio, jet Reynolds number and the velocity profile specified by the shear layer thickness, the thickness over which the viscosity change occurs, and radial shifts in velocity profiles, on the growth of axisymmetric and helical modes. Additional terms in the disturbance kinetic energy equation that represent the coupling between the velocity fluctuations and the viscosity field are shown to be responsible for the additional destabilization. Radial shifts in velocity profile that represent real effects likely to be encountered in experiments are shown to be strongly destabilizing. In all cases, the temporal growth rates of axisymmetric and helical mode are very close, except at low Reynolds numbers. Spatio-temporal analysis in the complex wavenumber plane suggests that for sufficiently large ambient viscosity, low-viscosity jets become absolutely unstable. Over a wide range of parameters, two modes of absolute instability exist simultaneously, with an axisymmetric mode predicted to dominate a helical mode. Over a certain narrower space, the helical mode dominates. The transition boundary for absolute/convective instability is compared with recent experiments, and the results are found to in reasonable agreement for the transition of the helical mode, when velocity profiles are used that correspond to the similarity solution for development of the boundary layer under a spatially variable viscosity.

This experimental study investigates the effects of viscosity contrast between a saltwater jet and its high-viscosity propylene glycol surroundings. Using density-matched fluids in a gravity-driven flow, Jet Reynolds numbers (Re) from 1600 to 3400 and ambient-to-jet viscosity ratios (M) from 1 to 50 were examined. Observations indicate that low viscosity ratios lead to axisymmetric jet breakdown, while higher ratios result in helical modes. The study employs various diagnostic tools to delineate this transition. Hot film anemometry reveals a discrete peak in the velocity fluctuation frequency spectrum, marking the onset of helical modes. This peak shows minimal spatial variation downstream. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) was utilized to distinguish the jet boundary. High-speed LIF imaging facilitated the determination of wave growth rates on the jet boundary and oscillation frequencies of the interface. These frequencies, consistent with self-sustained oscillation behavior, depend on the viscosity ratio and align with absolutely unstable modes from spatio-temporal linear stability theory. Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of the images identifies several spatial modes, predominantly a single dominant mode. These findings suggest the presence of a global mode, likely stemming from absolute instability in velocity and viscosity profiles near the nozzle exit, providing significant insights into fluid dynamics at varying viscosity contrasts.

We establish rigid tensor category structure on finitely-generated weight modules for the subregular $W$-algebras of $\mathfrak{sl}_n$ at levels $ - n + \frac{n}{n+1}$ (the $\mathcal{B}_{n+1}$-algebras of Creutzig-Ridout-Wood) and at levels $- n + \frac{n+1}{n}$ (the finite cyclic orbifolds of the $\beta\gamma$-vertex algebra), as well as for their Feigin-Semikhatov dual principal $W$-superalgebras of $\mathfrak{sl}_{n|1}$. These categories are neither finite nor semisimple, and in the $W$-algebra case they contain modules with infinite-dimensional conformal weight spaces and no lower bound on conformal weights. We give complete lists of indecomposable projective modules in these tensor categories and fusion rules for simple modules. All these vertex operator (super)algebras are simple current extensions of singlet algebras tensored with a rank-one Heisenberg algebra, so we more generally study simple current extensions in direct limit completions of vertex algebraic tensor categories. Then our results for $W$-(super)algebras follow from the known ribbon category structure on modules for the singlet algebras. Our results include and generalize those of Allen-Wood on the $\beta\gamma$-vertex algebra, as well as our own on the affine vertex superalgebra of $\mathfrak{gl}_{1|1}$. Our results also include the first examples of ribbon category structure on all finitely-generated weight modules for an affine vertex algebra at a non-integral admissible level, namely for affine $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at levels $-\frac{4}{3}$ and $-\frac{1}{2}$., Comment: 58 pages

Let $\mathcal{O}_{25}$ be the vertex algebraic braided tensor category of finite-length modules for the Virasoro Lie algebra at central charge $25$ whose composition factors are the irreducible quotients of reducible Verma modules. We show that $\mathcal{O}_{25}$ is rigid and that its simple objects generate a semisimple tensor subcategory that is braided tensor equivalent to an abelian $3$-cocycle twist of the category of finite-dimensional $\mathfrak{sl}_2$-modules. We also show that this $\mathfrak{sl}_2$-type subcategory is braid-reversed tensor equivalent to a similar category for the Virasoro algebra at central charge $1$. As an application, we construct a simple conformal vertex algebra which contains the Virasoro vertex operator algebra of central charge $25$ as a $PSL_2(\mathbb{C})$-orbifold. We also use our results to study Arakawa's chiral universal centralizer algebra of $SL_2$ at level $-1$, showing that it has a symmetric tensor category of representations equivalent to $\mathrm{Rep}\,PSL_2(\mathbb{C})$. This algebra is an extension of the tensor product of Virasoro vertex operator algebras of central charges $1$ and $25$, analogous to the modified regular representations of the Virasoro algebra constructed earlier for generic central charges by I. Frenkel-Styrkas and I. Frenkel-M. Zhu., Comment: 39 pages, in this version, reference added for Arakawa's earlier construction of chiral universal centralizer algebra, also further results added on uniqueness and representation theory of vertex algebra extensions of the c = 25 Virasoro algebra

We show that the category of finite-length generalized modules for the singlet vertex algebra $\mathcal{M}(p)$, $p\in\mathbb{Z}_{>1}$, is equal to the category $\mathcal{O}_{\mathcal{M}(p)}$ of $C_1$-cofinite $\mathcal{M}(p)$-modules, and that this category admits the vertex algebraic braided tensor category structure of Huang-Lepowsky-Zhang. Since $\mathcal{O}_{\mathcal{M}(p)}$ includes the uncountably many typical $\mathcal{M}(p)$-modules, which are simple $\mathcal{M}(p)$-module structures on Heisenberg Fock modules, our results substantially extend our previous work on tensor categories of atypical $\mathcal{M}(p)$-modules. We also introduce a tensor subcategory $\mathcal{O}_{\mathcal{M}(p)}^T$, graded by an algebraic torus $T$, which has enough projectives and is conjecturally tensor equivalent to the category of finite-dimensional weight modules for the unrolled restricted quantum group of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at a $2p$th root of unity. We compute all tensor products involving simple and projective $\mathcal{M}(p)$-modules, and we prove that both tensor categories $\mathcal{O}_{\mathcal{M}(p)}$ and $\mathcal{O}_{\mathcal{M}(p)}^T$ are rigid and thus also ribbon. As an application, we use vertex operator algebra extension theory to show that the representation categories of all finite cyclic orbifolds of the triplet vertex algebras $\mathcal{W}(p)$ are non-semisimple modular tensor categories, and we confirm a conjecture of Adamovi\'{c}-Lin-Milas on the classification of simple modules for these finite cyclic orbifolds., Comment: 65 pages

Let $\mathcal{O}_c$ be the category of finite-length central-charge-$c$ modules for the Virasoro Lie algebra whose composition factors are irreducible quotients of reducible Verma modules. Recently, it has been shown that $\mathcal{O}_c$ admits vertex algebraic tensor category structure for any $c\in\mathbb{C}$. Here, we determine the structure of this tensor category when $c=13-6p-6p^{-1}$ for an integer $p>1$. For such $c$, we prove that $\mathcal{O}_{c}$ is rigid, and we construct projective covers of irreducible modules in a natural tensor subcategory $\mathcal{O}_{c}^0$. We then compute all tensor products involving irreducible modules and their projective covers. Using these tensor product formulas, we show that $\mathcal{O}_c$ has a semisimplification which, as an abelian category, is the Deligne product of two tensor subcategories that are tensor equivalent to the Kazhdan-Lusztig categories for affine $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at levels $-2+p^{\pm 1}$. Next, as a straightforward consequence of the braided tensor category structure on $\mathcal{O}_c$ together with the theory of vertex operator algebra extensions, we rederive known results for triplet vertex operator algebras $\mathcal{W}(p)$, including rigidity, fusion rules, and construction of projective covers. Finally, we prove a recent conjecture of Negron that $\mathcal{O}_c^0$ is braided tensor equivalent to the $PSL(2,\mathbb{C})$-equivariantization of the category of $\mathcal{W}(p)$-modules., Comment: 55 pages, in this version expanded Introduction, with references added, and expanded Section 7, including correction of a minor mistake in the projectivity arguments in Section 7.1 and a proof of a recent conjecture of Negron in Section 7.2

We show that the Kazhdan-Lusztig category $KL_k$ of level-$k$ finite-length modules with highest-weight composition factors for the affine Lie superalgebra $\widehat{\mathfrak{gl}(1|1)}$ has vertex algebraic braided tensor supercategory structure, and that its full subcategory $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$ of objects with semisimple Cartan subalgebra actions is a tensor subcategory. We show that every simple $\widehat{\mathfrak{gl}(1|1)}$-module in $KL_k$ has a projective cover in $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$, and we determine all fusion rules involving simple and projective objects in $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$. Then using Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations, we prove that $KL_k$ and $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$ are rigid. As an application of the tensor supercategory structure on $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$, we study certain module categories for the affine Lie superalgebra $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}(2|1)}$ at levels $1$ and $-\frac{1}{2}$. In particular, we obtain a tensor category of $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}(2|1)}$-modules at level $-\frac{1}{2}$ that includes relaxed highest-weight modules and their images under spectral flow., Comment: 46 pages, to appear in Int. Math. Res. Not

We construct two non-semisimple braided ribbon tensor categories of modules for each singlet vertex operator algebra $\mathcal{M}(p)$, $p\geq 2$. The first category consists of all finite-length $\mathcal{M}(p)$-modules with atypical composition factors, while the second is the subcategory of modules that induce to local modules for the triplet vertex operator algebra $\mathcal{W}(p)$. We show that every irreducible module has a projective cover in the second of these categories, although not in the first, and we compute all fusion products involving atypical irreducible modules and their projective covers., Comment: 66 pages, final version incorporating referee suggestions, to appear in Comm. Math. Phys

We show that direct limit completions of vertex tensor categories inherit vertex and braided tensor category structures, under conditions that hold for example for all known Virasoro and affine Lie algebra tensor categories. A consequence is that the theory of vertex operator (super)algebra extensions also applies to infinite-order extensions. As an application, we relate rigid and non-degenerate vertex tensor categories of certain modules for both the affine vertex superalgebra of $\mathfrak{osp}(1|2)$ and the $N=1$ super Virasoro algebra to categories of Virasoro algebra modules via certain cosets., Comment: 51 pages; in this version, Theorem 7.1 is improved by removing one of the conditions needed to apply it; corresponding improvements are made to the subsequent examples; final version to appear in Communications in Contemporary Mathematics

We show that if $V$ is a vertex operator algebra such that all the irreducible ordinary $V$-modules are $C_1$-cofinite and all the grading-restricted generalized Verma modules for $V$ are of finite length, then the category of finite length generalized $V$-modules has a braided tensor category structure. By applying the general theorem to the simple affine vertex operator algebra (resp. superalgebra) associated to a finite simple Lie algebra (resp. Lie superalgebra) $\mathfrak{g}$ at level $k$ and the category $KL_k(\mathfrak{g})$ of its finite length generalized modules, we discover several families of $KL_k(\mathfrak{g})$ at non-admissible levels $k$, having braided tensor category structures. In particular, $KL_k(\mathfrak{g})$ has a braided tensor category structure if the category of ordinary modules is semisimple or more generally if the category of ordinary modules is of finite length. We also prove the rigidity and determine the fusion rules of some categories $KL_k(\mathfrak{g})$, including the category $KL_{-1}(\mathfrak{sl}_n)$. Using these results, we construct a rigid tensor category structure on a full subcategory of $KL_1(\mathfrak{sl}(n|m))$ consisting of objects with semisimple Cartan subalgebra actions., Comment: We add more details to the proofs and also incorporate some recent progress mainly in Sec. 4 and Sec. 6, we also add Sec. 2.4 summarizing the main results on tensor category theory of vertex (super)algebra extensions that are used in this paper

We show that there is a braided tensor category structure on the category of $C_1$-cofinite modules for the (universal or simple) Virasoro vertex operator algebras of arbitrary central charge. In the generic case of central charge $c=13-6(t+t^{-1})$, with $t \notin \mathbb{Q}$, we prove semisimplicity, rigidity and non-degeneracy and also compute the fusion rules of this tensor category., Comment: 32 pages. Minor corrections and references added. To appear in Advances in Mathematics

The vertex algebras $V^{(p)}$ and $R^{(p)}$ introduced in [2] are very interesting relatives of the famous triplet algebras of logarithmic CFT. The algebra $V^{(p)}$ (respectively, $R^{(p)}$) is a large extension of the simple affine vertex algebra $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ (respectively, $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ times a Heisenberg algebra), at level $k=-2+1/p$ for positive integer $p$. In this paper, we derive structural results of these algebras and prove various conjectures coming from representation theory and physics. We show that SU(2) acts as automorphisms on $V^{(p)}$ and we decompose $V^{(p)}$ as an $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$-module and $R^{(p)}$ as an $L_k(\mathfrak{gl}_2)$-module. The decomposition of $V^{(p)}$ shows that $V^{(p)}$ is the large level limit of a corner vertex algebra appearing in the context of S-duality. We also show that the quantum Hamiltonian reduction of $V^{(p)}$ is the logarithmic doublet algebra $A^{(p)}$ introduced in [12], while the reduction of $R^{(p)}$ yields the $B^{(p)}$-algebra of [39]. Conversely, we realize $V^{(p)}$ and $R^{(p)}$ from $A^{(p)}$ and $B^{(p)}$ via a procedure that deserves to be called inverse quantum Hamiltonian reduction. As a corollary, we obtain that the category $KL_{k}$ of ordinary $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$-modules at level $k=-2+1/p$ is a rigid vertex tensor category equivalent to a twist of the category Rep$(SU(2))$. This finally completes rigid braided tensor category structures for $L_k(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ at all levels $k$. We also establish a uniqueness result of certain vertex operator algebra extensions and use this result to prove that both $R^{(p)}$ and $B^{(p)}$ are certain non-principal W-algebras of type $A$ at boundary admissible levels. The same uniqueness result also shows that $R^{(p)}$ and $B^{(p)}$ are the chiral algebras of Argyres-Douglas theories of type $(A_1, D_{2p})$ and $(A_1, A_{2p-3})$.

For a classical group $G$ over a field $F$ together with a finite-order automorphism $\theta$ that acts compatibly on $F$, we describe the fixed point subgroup of $\theta$ on $G$ and the eigenspaces of $\theta$ on the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ in terms of cyclic quivers with involution. More precise classification is given when $\mathfrak{g}$ is a loop Lie algebra, i.e., when $F=\mathbb{C}((t))$., Comment: 14 pages, Accepted for publication in Science China Mathematics

Motivated by the study of indecomposable, nonsimple modules for a vertex operator algebra $V$, we study the relationship between various types of $V$-modules and modules for the higher level Zhu algebras for $V$, denoted $A_n(V)$, for $n \in \mathbb{N}$, first introduced by Dong, Li, and Mason in 1998. We resolve some issues that arise in a few theorems previously presented when these algebras were first introduced, and give examples illustrating the need for certain modifications of the statements of those theorems. We establish that whether or not $A_{n-1}(V)$ is isomorphic to a direct summand of $A_n(V)$ affects the types of indecomposable $V$-modules which can be constructed by inducing from an $A_n(V)$-module, and in particular whether there are $V$-modules induced from $A_n(V)$-modules that were not already induced by $A_0(V)$. We give some characterizations of the $V$-modules that can be constructed from such inducings, in particular as regards their singular vectors. To illustrate these results, we discuss two examples of $A_1(V)$: when $V$ is the vertex operator algebra associated to either the Heisenberg algebra or the Virasoro algebra. For these two examples, we show how the structure of $A_1(V)$ in relationship to $A_0(V)$ determines what types of indecomposable $V$-modules can be induced from a module for the level zero versus level one Zhu algebras. We construct a family of indecomposable modules for the Virasoro vertex operator algebra that are logarithmic modules and are not highest weight modules., Comment: 27 pages; "Zhu's algebra" changed to "Zhu algebra" throughout, including title; introduction revised; typos corrected; acknowledgements added; more details given in proof of Prop. 3.14; examples of modules added in Section 4.1 for the Heisenberg; errors in Section 4.2.1 for 1st Virasoro example corrected; clarification for central charge made in Section 4.2.3 for 3rd Virasoro example

Using the tensor category theory developed by Lepowsky, Zhang and the second author, we construct a braided tensor category structure with a twist on a semisimple category of modules for an affine Lie algebra at an admissible level. We conjecture that this braided tensor category is rigid and thus is a ribbon category. We also give conjectures on the modularity of this category and on the equivalence with a suitable quantum group tensor category. In the special case that the affine Lie algebra is $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}_2$, we prove the rigidity and modularity conjectures., Comment: Comments are welcome

In this paper, we prove the categories of lower bounded twisted modules of positive integer levels for simple vertex operator algebras associated with affine Lie algebras and general automorphisms are semisimple, using the twisted generalization of Zhu's algebra for these vertex operator algebras, constructed in \cite{HY}. We also show that the category of lower bounded twisted modules for a general automorphism is equivalent to the category of lower bounded twisted modules for the corresponding diagram automorphism., Comment: 20 pages, with some minor changes

We construct two associative algebras from a vertex operator algebra $V$ and a general automorphism $g$ of $V$. The first, called $g$-twisted zero-mode algebra, is a subquotient of what we call $g$-twisted universal enveloping algebra of $V$. These algebras are generalizations of the corresponding algebras introduced and studied by Frenkel-Zhu and Nagatomo-Tsuchiya in the (untwisted) case that $g$ is the identity. The other is a generalization of the $g$-twisted version of Zhu's algebra for suitable $g$-twisted modules constructed by Dong-Li-Mason when the order of $g$ is finite. We are mainly interested in $g$-twisted $V$-modules introduced by the first author in the case that $g$ is of infinite order and does not act on $V$ semisimply. In this case, twisted vertex operators in general involve the logarithm of the variable. We construct functors between categories of suitable modules for these associative algebras and categories of suitable (logarithmic) $g$-twisted $V$-modules. Using these functors, we prove that the $g$-twisted zero-mode algebra and the $g$-twisted generalization of Zhu's algebra are in fact isomorphic., Comment: 43 pages. Corrected an imprecise statement about a region in the duality property in the definition of twisted modules. Corrected the formulas in the second statement in Theorem 4.1. Added more details in the proofs of Theorem 4.1 and Theorem 5.6. Corrected a number of typos and misprints and adjusted a number of sentences

We construct vertex algebraic intertwining operators among certain generalized Verma modules for $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}(2,\mathbb{C})}$ and calculate the corresponding fusion rules. Additionally, we show that under some conditions these intertwining operators descend to intertwining operators among one generalized Verma module and two (generally non-standard) irreducible modules. Our construction relies on the irreducibility of the maximal proper submodules of generalized Verma modules appearing in the Garland-Lepowsky resolutions of standard $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}(2,\mathbb{C})}$-modules. We prove this irreducibility using the composition factor multiplicities of irreducible modules in Verma modules for symmetrizable Kac-Moody Lie algebras of rank $2$, given by Rocha-Caridi and Wallach., Comment: 39 pages, updated version incorporates a comment of Antun Milas, who informed us that Theorem 3.8 can be proved using a result of Rocha-Caridi and Wallach

We construct a family of vertex algebras associated to the current algebra of finite-dimensional abelian Lie algebras along with their modules and logarithmic modules. We show this family of vertex algebras and their modules are quasi-conformal and strongly $\N$-graded and verify convergence and extension property needed in the logarithmic tensor category theory for strongly graded logarithmic modules developed by Huang, Lepowsky and Zhang., Comment: 24 pages, Comments are very welcome. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:math/0206206, arXiv:1012.4193 by other authors