Branching rule decomposition of the level-1 $E_8^{(1)}$-module with respect to the irregular subalgebra $F_4^{(1)} \oplus G_2^{(1)}$

Abstract

Given a Lie algebra of type $E_8$, one can use Dynkin diagram automorphisms of the $E_6$ and $D_4$ Dynkin diagrams to locate a subalgebra of type $F_4\oplus G_2$. These automorphisms can be lifted to the affine Kac-Moody counterparts of these algebras and give a subalgebra of type $F_4^{(1)}\oplus G_2^{(1)}$ within a type $E_8^{(1)}$ Kac-Moody Lie algebra. We will consider the level-1 irreducible $E_8^{(1)}$-module $V^{\Lambda_0}$ and investigate its branching rule, that is how it decomposes as a direct sum of irreducible $F_4^{(1)}\oplus G_2^{(1)}$-modules. We calculate these branching rules using a character formula of Kac-Peterson which uses theta functions and the so-called "string functions." We will make use of Jacobi's, Ramanujan's and the Borweins' theta functions (and their respective properties and identities) in our calculation, including some identities involving the Rogers-Ramanujan series. Virasoro character theory is used to verify string functions stated by Kac and Peterson. We also investigate dissections of some interesting $\eta$-quotients.