Abstract
In this paper, we study the first cohomologies for the following three examples of vertex operator algebras: (i) the simple affine VOA associated with a simple Lie algebra with positive integral level; (ii) the Virasoro VOA corresponding to minimal models; and (iii) the lattice VOA associated with a positive definite even lattice. We prove that in all these cases, the first cohomology \(H^1(V, W)\) consists of zero-mode derivations for every \({\mathbb {N}}\)-graded V-module W (where the grading is not necessarily given by the L(0) operator). This agrees with the conjecture made by Yi-Zhi Huang and the author in 2018. The relationship between the first cohomology of the VOA and that of the associated Zhu’s algebra is also discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Astashkevich, A.: On the structure of Verma modules over Virasoro and Neveu–Schwarz algebras. Commun. Math. Phys. 186, 531–562 (1997)
Addabbo, D., Barron, K.: On generators and relations for higher level Zhu algebras and applications. arXiv:2110.07671 [math.QA]
Borcherds, R.: Vertex algebras, Kac-Moody algebras, and the Monster. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 83, 3068–3071 (1986)
Belavin, A., Polyakov, A.M., Zamolodchikov, A.B.: Infinite conformal symmetries in two-dimensional quantum field theory. Nucl. Phys. B 241, 333–380 (1984)
Dong, C.: Vertex algebras associated with even lattices. J. Algebra 160, 245–265 (1993)
Dong, C., Li, H., Mason, G.: Vertex operator algebras and associative algebras. J. Algebra 206, 67–96 (1998)
Dong, C., Li, H., Mason, G.: Regularity of rational vertex operator algebras. Adv. Math. 132, 148–166 (1997)
Dong, C., Li, H., Mason, G.: Certain associative algebras similar to \(U(sl_2)\) and the Zhu’s algebra \(A(V_L)\). J. Algebra 196, 532–551 (1997)
Frenkel, I.B., Lepowsky, J., Meurman, A.: Vertex Operator Algebras and the Monster, Pure and Applied Mathematics, vol. 134. Academic Press, London (1988)
Feigin, B.L., Fuchs, D.B.: Verma modules over the Virasoro algebra. Funct. Anal. Appl. 17, 91–92 (1983)
Frenkel, I.B., Huang, Y.-Z., Lepowsky, J.: On Axiomatic Approaches to Vertex Operator Algebras and Modules. Memoirs American Mathematical Society, vol. 104. American Mathematical Society, Providence (1993)
Frenkel, I.B., Zhu, Y.: Vertex operator algebras associated to representations of affine and Virasoro algebras. Duke Math. J. 66(1), 123–168 (1992)
Hochschild, G.: On the cohomology groups of an associative algebra. Ann. Math. (2) 46(1), 58–67 (1945)
Huang, Y.-Z.: First and second cohomologies of grading-restricted vertex algebras. Commun. Math. Phys. 327, 261–278 (2014)
Huang, Y.-Z.: A cohomology theory of grading-restricted vertex algebras. Commun. Math. Phys. 327, 279–307 (2014)
Huang, Y.-Z.: Associative algebras and the representation theory of grading-restricted vertex algebras. arXiv:2009.00262
Humphreys, J.E.: Introduction to Lie Algebras and Representation Theory, Graduate Text of Mathematics, vol. 9. Springer, New York (1972)
Huang, Y.-Z., Qi, F.: The first cohomology, derivations and the reductivity of a (meromorphic open-string) vertex algebra. Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 373, 7817–7868 (2020)
Huang, Y.-Z., Yang, J.: Logarithmic intertwining operators and associative algebras. J. Pure Appl. Algebra 216, 1467–1492 (2011)
Huang, Y.-Z., Yang, J.: Corrigendum to “Logarithmic intertwining operators and associative algebras” [J. Pure Appl. Alg. 216 (2012), 1467–1492], J. Pure Appl. Alg. 226 (2022), 107020
Iohara, K., Koga, Y.: Representation Theory of the Virasoro Algebra. Springer, London (2011)
Kac, V.G.: Contravariant form for infinite dimensional Lie algebras and superalgebras. Lect. Notes Phys. 94, 441–445 (1979)
Li, H.: Symmetric invariant bilinear forms on vertex operator algebras. J. Pure Appl. Algebra 96, 279–297 (1994)
Lepowsky, J., Li, H.: Introduction to Vertex Operator Algebras and Their Representations, Progress in Mathematics, vol. 227. Birkhäuser, Boston (2004)
Qi, F.: On the cohomology of meromorphic open-string vertex algebras. N. Y. J. Math. 25, 467–517 (2019)
Samelson, H.: Notes on Lie Algebras, Van Nostrand Reinhold Mathematical Studies, vol. 23. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1969)
Wang, W.: Rationality of the Virasoro vertex operator algebra. Duke Math. J. IMRN 71(1), 197–211 (1993)
Zhu, Y.: Modular invariance of characters of vertex operator algebras. J. Am. Math. Soc. 9, 237–302 (1996)
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Yi-Zhi Huang for his long-term constant support, especially for the valuable suggestions and comments that greatly improved this paper. The author would also like to thank the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Science for offering the opportunity of teaching a network-wide graduate course on vertex algebras and Ethan Armitage, Ben Garbuz, Zach Goldthorpe, Nicholas Lai, and Mihai Marian for their participation. Many ideas for this paper arose during lectures and discussions.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qi, F. First cohomologies of affine, Virasoro, and lattice vertex operator algebras. Lett Math Phys 112, 56 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11005-022-01548-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11005-022-01548-9