Finite vs infinite decompositions in conformal embeddings

Abstract

Building on work of the first and last author, we prove that an embedding of simple affine vertex algebras $V_{\mathbf{k}}(\mathfrak g^0)\subset V_{k}(\mathfrak g)$, corresponding to an embedding of a maximal equal rank reductive subalgebra $\mathfrak g^0$ into a simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak g$, is conformal if and only if the corresponding central charges are equal. We classify the equal rank conformal embeddings. Furthermore we describe, in almost all cases, when $V_{k}(\mathfrak g)$ decomposes finitely as a $V_{\mathbf{k}}(\mathfrak g^0)$-module.