Vertex algebras are algebraic objects that encapsulate the concept of operator product expansion from two-dimensional conformal field theory. Vertex algebras are fast becoming ubiquitous in many areas of modern mathematics, with applications to representation theory, algebraic geometry, the theory of finite groups, modular functions, topology, integrable systems, and combinatorics. This book is an introduction to the theory of vertex algebras with a particular emphasis on the relationship with the geometry of algebraic curves. The notion of a vertex algebra is introduced in a coordinate-independent way, so that vertex operators become well defined on arbitrary smooth algebraic curves, possibly equipped with additional data, such as a vector bundle. Vertex algebras then appear as the algebraic objects encoding the geometric structure of various moduli spaces associated with algebraic curves. Therefore they may be used to give a geometric interpretation of various questions of representation theory. The book contains many original results, introduces important new concepts, and brings new insights into the theory of vertex algebras. The authors have made a great effort to make the book self-contained and accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Reviewers of the first edition anticipated that it would have a long-lasting influence on this exciting field of mathematics and would be very useful for graduate students and researchers interested in the subject. This second edition, substantially improved and expanded, includes several new topics, in particular an introduction to the Beilinson-Drinfeld theory of factorization algebras and the geometric Langlands correspondence.

This volume, a celebration of Anthony Joseph’s fundamental influence on classical and quantized representation theory, explores a wide array of current topics in Lie theory by experts in the area. The chapters are based on the 2017 sister conferences titled “Algebraic Modes of Representations,” the first of which was held from July 16-18 at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the second from July 19-23 at the University of Haifa. The chapters in this volume cover a range of topics, including: Primitive ideals Invariant theory Geometry of Lie group actions Quantum affine algebras Yangians Categorification Vertex algebras This volume is addressed to mathematicians who specialize in representation theory and Lie theory, and who wish to learn more about this fascinating subject.

This book contains the proceedings of the AMS Special Session on Vertex Algebras and Geometry, held from October 8–9, 2016, and the mini-conference on Vertex Algebras, held from October 10–11, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. The papers cover vertex algebras in connection with geometry and tensor categories, with topics in vertex rings, chiral algebroids, the Higgs branch conjecture, and applicability and use of vertex tensor categories.

* Introduces the fundamental theory of vertex operator algebras and its basic techniques and examples. * Begins with a detailed presentation of the theoretical foundations and proceeds to a range of applications. * Includes a number of new, original results and brings fresh perspective to important works of many other researchers in algebra, lie theory, representation theory, string theory, quantum field theory, and other areas of math and physics.

This volume contains the proceedings of the conference Representation Theory XVI, held from June 25–29, 2019, in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The articles in the volume address selected aspects of representation theory of reductive Lie groups and vertex algebras, and are written by prominent experts in the field as well as junior researchers. The three main topics of these articles are Lie theory, number theory, and vertex algebras.

Written to honor the enduring influence of William Fulton, these articles present substantial contributions to algebraic geometry.

Vertex operator algebras are a class of algebras underlying a number of recent constructions, results, and themes in mathematics. These algebras can be understood as ''string-theoretic analogues'' of Lie algebras and of commutative associative algebras. They play fundamental roles in some of the most active research areas in mathematics and physics. Much recent progress in both physics and mathematics has benefited from cross-pollination between the physical and mathematical points of view. This book presents the proceedings from the workshop, ''Vertex Operator Algebras in Mathematics and Physics'', held at The Fields Institute. It consists of papers based on many of the talks given at the conference by leading experts in the algebraic, geometric, and physical aspects of vertex operator algebra theory. The book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in the major themes and important developments on the frontier of research in vertex operator algebra theory and its applications in mathematics and physics.

Covering, arguably, one of the most attractive and mysterious mathematical objects, the Monster group, this text strives to provide an insightful introduction and the discusses the current state of the field. The Monster group is related to many areas of mathematics, as well as physics, from number theory to string theory. This book cuts through the complex nature of the field, highlighting some of the mysteries and intricate relationships involved. Containing many meaningful examples and a manual introduction to the computer package GAP, it provides the opportunity and resources for readers to start their own calculations. Some 20 experts here share their expertise spanning this exciting field, and the resulting volume is ideal for researchers and graduate students working in Combinatorial Algebra, Group theory and related areas.

Krichever and Novikov introduced certain classes of infinite dimensional Lie algebras to extend the Virasoro algebra and its related algebras to Riemann surfaces of higher genus. The author of this book generalized and extended them to a more general setting needed by the applications. Examples of applications are Conformal Field Theory, Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten models, moduli space problems, integrable systems, Lax operator algebras, and deformation theory of Lie algebra. Furthermore they constitute an important class of infinite dimensional Lie algebras which due to their geometric origin are still manageable. This book gives an introduction for the newcomer to this exciting field of ongoing research in mathematics and will be a valuable source of reference for the experienced researcher. Beside the basic constructions and results also applications are presented.

This volume contains the proceedings of two AMS Special Sessions "Geometric and Algebraic Aspects of Representation Theory" and "Quantum Groups and Noncommutative Algebraic Geometry" held October 13–14, 2012, at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Included in this volume are original research and some survey articles on various aspects of representations of algebras including Kac—Moody algebras, Lie superalgebras, quantum groups, toroidal algebras, Leibniz algebras and their connections with other areas of mathematics and mathematical physics.