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Andrew R. Linshaw

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew R. Linshaw.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

W-algebras as conformal extensions of affine VOAs

We provide a criterion for a vertex operator superalgebra homomorphism from an affine vertex algebra to another vertex superalgebra to be conformal, and an additional criterion that guarantees that this homomorphism is surjective. This situation is applied to W-algebras and W-superalgebras and we list all cases where our criterion applies. This gives many new examples of W-algebras that collapse to affine vertex algebras or are conformal extensions. In particular, we provide many examples of simple W-algebras at non-admissible levels that collapse to admissible level affine vertex algebras.

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Universal $2$-parameter $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric $\mathcal{W}_{\infty}$-algebra

The universal $2$-parameter vertex algebra $\mathcal{W}_{\infty}$ of type $\mathcal{W}(2,3,\dots)$ is a classifying object for vertex algebras of type $\mathcal{W}(2,3,\dots,N)$ for some $N$; under mild hypotheses, all such vertex algebras arise as quotients of $\mathcal{W}_{\infty}$. In 2017, Gaiotto and Rapčák introduced a family of such vertex algebras called $Y$-algebras, and conjectured that they fall into groups of three that are mutually isomorphic. This is a common generalization of both Feigin-Frenkel duality and the coset realization of principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras in type $A$, and was proven in 2021 for the simple $Y$-algebras (i.e., one label is zero) by the first and third authors. In this paper, we extend this entire story to the $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal setting. First, we prove the 2013 conjecture of Gaberdiel and Candu that there exists a universal $2$-parameter vertex algebra $\mathcal{W}^{\mathcal{N}=2}_{\infty}$ which is an extension of the $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal algebra, and has four additional generators in weights $i, i + \frac{1}{2}, i + \frac{1}{2}, i+1$, for each integer $i > 1$. This admits many $1$-parameter quotients which we call $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric $Y$-algebras, and we prove the dualities among these algebras which were conjectured in 2018 by Prochazka and Rapčák. A special case is the coset realization of the principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebra $\mathcal{W}^k(\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1|n})$ which was conjectured in 1992 by Ito. As a corollary, we obtain the strong rationality of $\mathcal{W}_k(\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1|n})$ for $k = -1 + \frac{1}{n+a+1}$ for all positive integers $n,a$, and we describe its module category. This generalizes Adamović's 1999 result on $\mathcal{N}=2$ minimal models, which is the case $n=1$.

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Deformation rigidity of some simple affine VOAs

In this paper, we prove that simple affine vertex operator algebras with positive integral levels admit only trivial first-order deformations. Therefore, the deformation rigidity conjecture of strongly rational vertex operator algebras holds for these cases. We also show that the same holds simple affine vertex operator algebra of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ at the non-integral admissible level $-4/3$. Therefore, neither $C_2$-cofiniteness nor rationality is a necessary condition for deformation rigidity of VOAs. We conjecture that the same should hold for every simple affine VOA that does not coincide with the corresponding universal affine VOA.

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New universal vertex algebras as glueings of the basic ones

There are three universal $2$-parameter vertex algebras $\mathcal{W}_{\infty}$, $\mathcal{W}^{\text{ev}}_{\infty}$, and $\mathcal{W}^{\mathfrak{sp}}_{\infty}$ which are freely generated of types $\mathcal{W}(2,3,4,\dots)$, $\mathcal{W}(2,4,6,\dots)$, and $\mathcal{W}(1^3, 2, 3^3, 4,\dots)$, respectively. They serve as classifying objects for vertex algebras with these generating types satisfying mild hypotheses. Their $1$-parameter quotients are expected to be the building blocks of all $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of classical Lie types. Furthermore, such $\mathcal{W}$-algebras are expected to be organized into families that are governed by new universal $2$-parameter vertex algebras, which are themselves glueings of copies of $\mathcal{W}_{\infty}$ in type $A$ (together with a Heisenberg algebra), and copies of $\mathcal{W}^{\text{ev}}_{\infty}$ and $\mathcal{W}^{\mathfrak{sp}}_{\infty}$ in types $B$, $C$, and $D$. We denote these universal objects by $\mathcal{W}^{X,S,M}_{\infty}$, where $X$ denotes the Lie type (either $A$, $C$, or $BD$ since types $B$ and $D$ can be treated uniformly), and $S$, $M$ are sets of positive integers that determine certain families of partitions. More precisely, for a partition $P = (n_0^{m_0}, n_1^{m_1},\dots, n_{t}^{m_t})$ of $N = \sum_{i=0}^t n_i m_i$ consisting of $m_i$ parts of size $n_i$, where $n_0> n_1 > \cdots > n_t \geq 2$, $M = \{m_0,\dots, m_t\}$ is the set of multiplicities, and $S = \{d_1,\dots, d_t\}$ is the set of height differences $d_{i+1} = n_i - n_{i+1}$. After introducing this general conjectural picture, we will construct the first nontrivial example $\mathcal{W}^{\mathfrak{so}_2}_{\infty}:=\mathcal{W}^{BD, \emptyset, \{2\}}_{\infty}$, which is a glueing of two copies of $\mathcal{W}^{\text{ev}}_{\infty}$.

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Building blocks for $W$-algebras of classical types

The universal $2$-parameter vertex algebra $W_{\infty}$ of type $W(2,3,4,\dots)$ serves as a classifying object for vertex algebras of type $W(2,3,\dots,N)$ for some $N$ in the sense that under mild hypothesis, all such vertex algebras arise as quotients of $W_{\infty}$. There is an $\mathbb{N} \times \mathbb{N}$ family of such $1$-parameter vertex algebras which, after tensoring with a Heisenberg algebra, are known as $Y$-algebras. They were introduced by Gaiotto and Rapčák and are expected to be the building blocks for all $W$-algebras in type $A$, i.e., every $W$-(super) algebra in type $A$ is an extension of a tensor product of finitely many $Y$-algebras. Similarly, the orthosymplectic $Y$-algebras are $1$-parameter quotients of a universal $2$-parameter vertex algebra $W^{\text{ev}}_{\infty}$ of type $W(2,4,6,\dots)$, which is a classifying object for vertex algebras of type $W(2,4,\dots, 2N)$ for some $N$. Unlike type $A$, these algebras are not all the building blocks for $W$-algebras of types $B$, $C$, and $D$. In this paper, we construct a new universal $2$-parameter vertex algebra of type $W(1^3, 2, 3^3, 4, 5^3,6,\dots)$ which we denote by $W^{\mathfrak{sp}}_{\infty}$ since it contains a copy of the affine vertex algebra $V^k(\mathfrak{sp}_2)$. We identify $8$ infinite families of $1$-parameter quotients of $W^{\mathfrak{sp}}_{\infty}$ which are analogues of the $Y$-algebras. We regard $W^{\mathfrak{sp}}_{\infty}$ as a fundamental object on equal footing with $W_{\infty}$ and $W^{\text{ev}}_{\infty}$, and we give some heuristic reasons for why we expect the $1$-parameter quotients of these three objects to be the building blocks for all $W$-algebras of classical types. Finally, we prove that $W^{\mathfrak{sp}}_{\infty}$ has many quotients which are strongly rational. This yields new examples of strongly rational $W$-superalgebras.

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Minimal W-algebras of $\mathfrak{so}_N$ at level minus one

For $N \in\mathbb Z_{\geq 7}$ we show that the simple minimal $\mathcal{W}$-algebra of $\mathfrak{so}_N$ at level minus one is isomorphic to the even subalgebra of the tensor product of the simple affine vertex superalgebra of $\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2}$ at level $\frac{N-6}{2}$ with $N-4$ free fermions. In particular when $N$ is even this minimal $\mathcal{W}$-algebra is strongly rational as conjectured by Arakawa-Moreau.

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Duality via convolution of W-algebras

Feigin-Frenkel duality is the isomorphism between the principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of a simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and its Langlands dual Lie algebra ${}^L\mathfrak{g}$. A generalization of this duality to a larger family of $\mathcal{W}$-algebras called hook-type was recently conjectured by Gaiotto and Rapčák and proved by the first two authors. It says that the affine cosets of two different hook-type $\mathcal{W}$-algebras are isomorphic. A natural question is whether the duality between affine cosets can be enhanced to a duality between the full $\mathcal{W}$-algebras. There is a convolution operation that maps a hook-type $\mathcal{W}$-algebra $\mathcal{W}$ to a certain relative semi-infinite cohomology of $\mathcal{W}$ tensored with a suitable kernel VOA. The first two authors conjectured previously that this cohomology is isomorphic to the Feigin-Frenkel dual hook-type $\mathcal{W}$-algebra. Our main result is a proof of this conjecture.

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On the structure of W-algebras in type A

We formulate and prove examples of a conjecture which describes the W-algebras in type A as successive quantum Hamiltonian reductions of affine vertex algebras associated with several hook-type nilpotent orbits. This implies that the affine coset subalgebras of hook-type W-algebras are building blocks of the W-algebras in type A. In the rational case, it turns out that the building blocks for the simple quotients are provided by the minimal series of the regular W-algebras. In contrast, they are provided by singlet-type extensions of W-algebras at collapsing levels which are irrational. In the latter case, several new sporadic isomorphisms between different W-algebras are established.

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Vertex Algebras and Commutative Algebras

This paper begins with a brief survey of the period prior to and soon after the creation of the theory of vertex operator algebras (VOAs). This survey is intended to highlight some of the important developments leading to the creation of VOA theory. The paper then proceeds to describe progress made in the field of VOAs in the last 15 years which is based on fruitful analogies and connections between VOAs and commutative algebras. First, there are several functors from VOAs to commutative algebras that allow methods from commutative algebra to be used to solve VOA problems. To illustrate this, we present a method for describing orbifolds and cosets using methods of classical invariant theory. This was essential in the recent solution of a conjecture of Gaiotto and Rapčák that is of current interest in physics. We also recast some old conjectures in the subject in terms of commutative algebra and give some generalizations of these conjectures. We also give an overview of the theory of topological VOAs (TVOAs), with applications to BRST cohomology theory and conformal string theory, based on work in the 90's. We construct a functor from TVOAs to Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras -- supercommutative algebras equipped with a certain odd Poisson structure realized by a second order differential operator -- and present a number of interesting applications. This paper is based in part on the lecture given by the first author at the Harvard CMSA Math-Science Literature Lecture Series on May 22, 2020.

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Standard monomials and invariant theory for arc spaces III: special linear group

This is the third in a series of papers on standard monomial theory and invariant theory of arc spaces. For any algebraically closed field $K$, we prove the arc space analogue of the first and second fundamental theorems of invariant theory for the special linear group. This is more subtle than the results for the general linear and symplectic groups obtained in the first two papers because the arc space of the corresponding affine quotients can be nonreduced.

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Standard monomials and invariant theory for arc spaces I: general linear group

This is the first in a series of papers on standard monomial theory and invariant theory of arc spaces. For any algebraically closed field $K$, we construct a standard monomial basis for the arc space of the determinantal variety over $K$. As an application, we prove the arc space analogue of the first and second fundamental theorems of invariant theory for the general linear group.

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Classical freeness of orthosymplectic affine vertex superalgebras

The question of when a vertex algebra is a quantization of the arc space of its associated scheme has recently received a lot of attention in both the mathematics and physics literature. This property was first studied by Tomoyuki Arakawa and Anne Moreau [Lectures on $\mathcal{W}$-algebras, Australian Representation Theory Workshop 2016, University of Melbourne], and was given the name "classical freeness" by Jethro van Ekeren and Reimundo Heluani in their work on chiral homology [Comm. Math. Phys. 386 (2021), no. 1, 495-550]. Later, it was extended to vertex superalgebras by Hao Li [Eur. J. Math. 7 (2021), 1689-1728]. In this note, we prove the classical freeness of the simple affine vertex superalgebra $L_n(\mathfrak{osp}_{m|2r})$ for all positive integers $m,n,r$ satisfying $-\frac{m}{2} + r +n+1 > 0$. In particular, it holds for the rational vertex superalgebras $L_n(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2r})$ for all positive integers $r,n$.

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Standard monomials and invariant theory of arc spaces II: Symplectic group

This is the second in a series of papers on standard monomial theory and invariant theory of arc spaces. For any algebraically closed field $K$, we construct a standard monomial basis for the arc space of the Pfaffian variety over $K$. As an application, we prove the arc space analogue of the first and second fundamental theorems of invariant theory for the symplectic group.

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Orbifolds of Gaiotto-Rapčák $Y$-algebras

The universal two-parameter ${\mathcal W}_{\infty}$-algebra is a classifying object for vertex algebras of type ${\mathcal W}(2,3,\dots, N)$ for some $N$. Gaiotto and Rapčák recently introduced a large family of such vertex algebras called $Y$-algebras, which includes many known examples such as the principal ${\mathcal W}$-algebras of type $A$. These algebras admit an action of $\mathbb{Z}_2$, and in this paper we study the structure of their orbifolds. Aside from the extremal cases of either the Virasoro algebra or the ${\mathcal W}_3$-algebra, we show that these orbifolds are generated by a single field in conformal weight $4$, and we give strong finite generating sets.

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Cosets of free field algebras via arc spaces

Using the invariant theory of arc spaces, we find minimal strong generating sets for certain cosets of affine vertex algebras inside free field algebras that are related to classical Howe duality. These results have several applications. First, for any vertex algebra $\mathcal V$, we have a surjective homomorphism of differential algebras $\mathbb{C}[J_{\infty}(X_{\mathcal V})] \rightarrow \text{gr}^F(\mathcal V)$; equivalently, the singular support of $\mathcal V$ is a closed subscheme of the arc space of the associated scheme $X_{\mathcal V}$. We give many new examples of classically free vertex algebras (i.e., this map is an isomorphism), including $L_k(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})$ for all positive integers $n$ and $k$. We also give new examples where the kernel of this map is nontrivial but is finitely generated as a differential ideal. Next, we prove a coset realization of the subregular ${\mathcal W}$-algebra of $\mathfrak{sl}_n$ at critical level that was previously conjectured by Creutzig, Gao, and the first author. Finally, we give some new level-rank dualities involving affine vertex superalgebras.

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Trialities of orthosymplectic $\mathcal{W}$-algebras

Trialities of $\mathcal{W}$-algebras are isomorphisms between the affine cosets of three different $\mathcal{W}$-(super)algebras, and were first conjectured in the physics literature by Gaiotto and Rapčák. In this paper we prove trialities among eight families of $\mathcal{W}$-(super)algebras of types $B$, $C$, and $D$. The key idea is to identify the affine cosets of these algebras with one-parameter quotients of the universal two-parameter even spin $\mathcal{W}_{\infty}$-algebra which was recently constructed by Kanade and the second author. Our result is a vast generalization of both Feigin-Frenkel duality in types $B$, $C$, and $D$, and the coset realization of principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of type $D$ due to Arakawa and us. It also provides a new coset realization of principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of types $B$ and $C$. As an application, we prove the rationality of the affine vertex superalgebra $L_k(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n})$, the minimal $\mathcal{W}$-algebra $\mathcal{W}_{k-1/2}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n+2}, f_{\text{min}})$, and the coset $\text{Com}(L_k(\mathfrak{sp}_{2m}), L_k(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n}))$, for all integers $k,n,m \geq 1$ with $m<n$. We also prove the rationality of some families of principal $\mathcal{W}$-superalgebras of $\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n}$ and $\mathfrak{osp}_{2|2n}$, and subregular $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of $\mathfrak{so}_{2n+1}$

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Trialities of $\mathcal{W}$-algebras

We prove the conjecture of Gaiotto and Rapčák that the $Y$-algebras $Y_{L,M,N}[ψ]$ with one of the parameters $L,M,N$ zero, are simple one-parameter quotients of the universal two-parameter $\mathcal{W}_{1+\infty}$-algebra, and satisfy a symmetry known as triality. These $Y$-algebras are defined as the cosets of certain non-principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras and $\mathcal{W}$-superalgebras by their affine vertex subalgebras, and triality is an isomorphism between three such algebras. Special cases of our result provide new and unified proofs of many theorems and open conjectures in the literature on $\mathcal{W}$-algebras of type $A$. This includes (1) Feigin-Frenkel duality, (2) the coset realization of principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras due to Arakawa and us, (3) Feigin and Semikhatov's conjectured triality between subregular $\mathcal{W}$-algebras, principal $\mathcal{W}$-superalgebras, and affine vertex superalgebras, (4) the rationality of subregular $\mathcal{W}$-algebras due to Arakawa and van Ekeren, (5) the identification of Heisenberg cosets of subregular $\mathcal{W}$-algebras with principal rational $\mathcal{W}$-algebras that was conjectured in the physics literature over 25 years ago. Finally, we prove the conjectures of Procházka and Rapčák on the explicit truncation curves realizing the simple $Y$-algebras as $\mathcal{W}_{1+\infty}$-quotients, and on their minimal strong generating types.

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