arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Wenbin Yan.
This is an expository paper based on the authors' joint works. The goal is to explain the statements and the ideas behind two conjectures on associated varieties and simple modules of simple affine vertex algebras $L_k(\mathfrak{g})$ for a simple and simply-laced Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and a integer level $k$ above the critical level.
We present a conjecture for associated varieties of simple affine vertex algebras $L_k(\mathfrak{g})$ attached to a simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ of simply-laced type and any rational level $k$ greater than the critical level. The key new ingredient compared to the integral case is the covering duality map introduced by Gao-Liu-Lo-Shahidi. We provide evidence for the conjecture.
We study the Higgs branch and associated vertex operator algebra (VOA) of 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) from the geometric engineering of IIB superstring on canonical threefold singularities. For terminal singularities, we explain how to derive the 4d Higgs branch from their small resolution. We also investigate singularities with compact 4-cycles in their crepant resolution, and discuss different ways to compute their Higgs branch. Using a symplectic duality argument, we propose the first examples of 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs with the E-type Kleinian singularities as their Higgs branches, and conjecture their associated VOA to be affine E-type W-algebra. Many new VOAs with no known W-algebra descriptions are found, with conjectured associated varieties. We investigate the singularities associated with lisse VOAs and propose predictions for the BPS quivers of $D_N^N[k]$ and $E_7^{14}[k]$ from the perspective of deformed singularities. We further analyze the structure of the Schur index using the Coulomb branch IR formula, derive the expressions for the Schur index corresponding to these two classes of singularities, and illustrate, in a general setting, how the Schur index is determined by the BPS quiver.
We find an intriguing relation between the chiral algebra and the mixed Hodge structure of the Coulomb branch of four dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 2$ superconformal field theories. We identify the space of irreducible characters of the $\mathcal{N} = 4$ $SU(N)$ chiral algebra $\mathbb{V}[\mathcal{T}_{SU(N)}]$ by analytically computing the Wilson line Schur index, and imposing modular invariance. We further establish a map from the $\mathbb{V}[\mathcal{T}_{SU(N)}]$ characters to the characters of the $\mathcal{T}_{p, N}$ chiral algebra. We extract the pure part of the mixed Hodge polynomial $PH_c$ of the Coulomb branch compactified on a circle, and prove that $PH_c$ encodes the representation theory of $\mathbb{V}[\mathcal{T}_{SU(N)}]$. We expect this to be a new entry of the 4D mirror symmetry framework.
In this paper, we study the long-time behavior of mean field game (MFG) systems influenced by a common noise. While classical results establish the convergence of deterministic MFG towards stationary solutions under suitable monotonicity conditions, the introduction of a common stochastic perturbation significantly complicates the analysis. We consider a standard MFG model with infinitely many players whose dynamics are subject to both idiosyncratic and common noise. The central goal is to characterize the asymptotic properties as the horizon goes to infinity. By employing quantitative methods that replace classical compactness arguments unavailable in the stochastic context, we prove that solutions exhibit exponential convergence toward a stationary regime. Specifically, we identify a deterministic ergodic constant and demonstrate the existence of stationary random processes capturing the limiting behavior. Further, we establish almost sure long-time results thanks to a detailed analysis of the ergodic master equation, which is the long-time limit of the master equation. Our results extend known deterministic convergence phenomena to the stochastic setting, relying on novel backward stochastic PDE estimates.
We study the q-characters and modular data of exceptional W-algebras and give several examples and applications. We establish equality of q-characters and modular data between certain boundary W-algebras, leading in particular to a largely complete determination of fusion rules of exceptional W-algebras in type A.
In this paper, we introduce and study two cyclotomic level maps defined respectively on the set of nilpotent orbits $\underline{\mathcal{N}}$ in a complex semi-simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and the set of conjugacy classes $\underline{W}$ in its Weyl group, with values in positive integers. We show that these maps are compatible under Lusztig's map $\underline{W} \to \underline{\mathcal{N}}$, which is also the minimal reduction type map as shown by Yun. We also discuss their relationship with two-sided cells in affine Weyl groups. We use these maps to formulate a conjecture on the associated varieties of simple affine vertex algebras attached to $\mathfrak{g}$ at non-admissible integer levels, and provide some evidence for this conjecture.
This paper investigates the optimal hedging strategies of an informed broker interacting with multiple traders in a financial market. We develop a theoretical framework in which the broker, possessing exclusive information about the drift of the asset's price, engages with traders whose trading activities impact the market price. Using a mean-field game approach, we derive the equilibrium strategies for both the broker and the traders, illustrating the intricate dynamics of their interactions. The broker's optimal strategy involves a Stackelberg equilibrium, where the broker leads and the traders follow. Our analysis also addresses the mean field limit of finite-player models and shows the convergence to the mean-field solution as the number of traders becomes large.
This is the companion paper of the letter arXiv:2410.15695, containing all the details and series of examples on a 4d mirror symmetry for the class-$\mathcal{S}$ theories which relates the representation theory of the chiral quantization of the Higgs branch and the geometry of the Coulomb branch. We study the representation theory by using the 4d/VOA correspondence, (defect) Schur indices and (flavor) modular differential equations, and match the data with the fixed manifolds of the Hitchin moduli spaces. This correspondence extends the connection between Higgs and Coulomb branch of Argyres-Douglas theories, and can provide systematic guidance for the study of the representation theory of vertex operator algebras by exploiting results from Hitchin systems.
In this letter, we propose a 4d mirror symmetry for the class-$\mathcal{S}$ theories which relates the representation theory of the chiral quantization of the Higgs branch and the geometry of the Coulomb branch. We study the representation theory by using the 4d/VOA correspondence, (defect) Schur indices and (flavor) modular differential equations, and match the data with the fixed manifolds of the Hitchin moduli spaces. This correspondence extends the connection between Higgs and Coulomb branch of Argyres-Douglas theories, and can provide systematic guidance for the study of the representation theory of vertex operator algebras by exploiting results from Hitchin systems.
We construct a bijection between admissible representations for an affine Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ at boundary admissible levels and $\mathbb{C}^\times$ fixed points in homogeneous elliptic affine Springer fibres for the Langlands dual affine Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}^\vee$. Using this bijection, we relate the modularity of the characters of admissible representations to Cherednik's Verlinde algebra construction coming from double affine Hecke algebras. Finally, we show that the expected behaviors of simple modules under quantized Drinfeld-Sokolov reductions are compatible with the reductions from affine Springer fibres to affine Spaltenstein varieties. This yields (modulo some conjectures) a similar bijection for irreducible representations of $\mathcal{W}$-algebras, as well as an interpretation for their modularity properties.
We propose a mirror symmetry for 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) compactified on a circle with finite size. The mirror symmetry involves vertex operator algebra (VOA) describing the Schur sector (containing Higgs branch) of 4d theory, and the Coulomb branch of the effective 3d theory. The basic feature of the mirror symmetry is that many representational properties of VOA are matched with geometric properties of the Coulomb branch moduli space. Our proposal is verified for a large class of Argyres-Douglas (AD) theories engineered from M5 branes, whose VOAs are W-algebras, and Coulomb branches are the Hitchin moduli spaces. VOA data such as simple modules, Zhu's algebra, and modular properties are matched with geometric properties like $\mathbb{C}^*$-fixed varieties in Hitchin fibers, cohomologies, and some DAHA representations. We also mention relationships to 3d symplectic duality.
The duality between type IIA superstring theory and M-theory enables us to lift bound states of D$0$-branes and $n$ parallel D$6$-branes to M-theory compactified on an $n$-centered multi-Taub-NUT space $\mathbb{TN}_{n}$. Accordingly, the rank $n$ K-theoretic Donaldson-Thomas invariants of $\mathbb{C}^{3}$ are connected with the index of M-theory on $\mathbb{C}^{3}\times\mathbb{TN}_{n}$. In this paper, we extend this connection by considering intersecting D$6$-branes. In the presence of a suitable Neveu-Schwarz $B$-field, the system preserves two supercharges. This system is T-dual to the configuration of tetrahedron instantons which we introduced in \cite{Pomoni:2021hkn}. We conjecture a closed-form expression for the K-theoretic tetrahedron instanton partition function, which is the generating function of the D$0$-D$6$ partition functions. We find that the tetrahedron instanton partition function coincides with the partition function of the magnificent four model for special values of the parameters, leading us to conjecture that our system of intersecting D$6$-branes can be obtained from the annihilation of D$8$-branes and anti-D$8$-branes. Remarkably, the K-theoretic tetrahedron instanton partition function allows an interpretation in terms of the index of M-theory on a noncompact Calabi-Yau fivefold which is related to a superposition of Kaluza-Klein monopoles. The dimensional reduction of the system allows us to express the cohomological tetrahedron instanton partition function in terms of the MacMahon function, generalizing the correspondence between Gromov-Witten invariants and Donaldson-Thomas invariants for Calabi-Yau threefolds.
We calculate the fusion rules among $\mathbb{Z}_2$-twisted modules $L_{\mathfrak{sl}_2}(\ell,0)$ at admissible levels. We derive a series MLDEs for normalized characters of ordinary twisted modules of quasi-lisse vertex algebras. Examples include affine VOAs of type $A_1^{(1)}$ at boundary admissible level, admissible level $k=-1/2$, $A^{(1)}_{2}$ at boundary admissible level $k=-3/2$, and $\mathrm{BP}^{k}$-algebra with special value $k=-9/4$. We also derive characters of some non-vacuum modules for affine VOA of type $D_4$ at non-admissible level $-2$ from spectral flow automorphism.
There are two major ways of constructing 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs): the first one is putting a 6d $(2,0)$ theory on a punctured Riemann surface (class-S theory), and the second one is putting type IIB string theory on a 3d canonical singularity. As there are interests on low rank theories, we search all the possibilities from above two constructions. Most of those theories are engineered by class-S theory with irregular singularities, and we find a universal formula for the rank of theory so that a complete search is possible. We then compute various physical quantities of those theories, such as the central charges, flavor symmetry, associated vertex operator algebra and Higgs branch, etc. One of interesting consequence of our results are the prediction of many new isomorphism of 2d vertex operator algebra.
One can derive a large class of new $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFTs by turning on $\mathcal{N}=1$ preserving deformations for $\mathcal{N}=2$ Argyres-Dougals theories. In this work, we use $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal indices to get indices of $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFTs, then use these indices to derive chiral rings of $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFTs. For a large class of $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories, we find that the IR theory contains only free chirals if we deform the parent $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory using the Coulomb branch operator with smallest scaling dimension. Our results provide interesting lessons on studies of $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories, such as $a$-maximization, accidental symmetries, chiral ring, etc.
We introduce and study tetrahedron instantons, which can be realized in string theory by D$1$-branes probing a configuration of intersecting D$7$-branes in flat spacetime with a proper constant $B$-field. Physically they capture instantons on $\mathbb{C}^{3}$ in the presence of the most general intersecting real codimension-two supersymmetric defects. Moreover, we construct the tetrahedron instantons as particular solutions of general instanton equations in noncommutative field theory. We analyze the moduli space of tetrahedron instantons and discuss the geometric interpretations. We compute the instanton partition function both via the equivariant localization on the moduli space of tetrahedron instantons and via the elliptic genus of the worldvolume theory on the D$1$-branes probing the intersecting D$7$-branes, obtaining the same result. The instanton partition function of the tetrahedron instantons lies between the higher-rank Donaldson-Thomas invariants on $\mathbb{C}^{3}$ and the partition function of the magnificent four model, which is conjectured to be the mother of all instanton partition functions. Finally, we show that the instanton partition function admits a free field representation, suggesting the existence of a novel kind of symmetry which acts on the cohomology of the moduli spaces of tetrahedron instantons.
We continue our studies of the correspondence between 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs and 2d W-algebras. The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between 2d lisse W-algebras and their 4d SCFT partners. The lisse W-algebra is the W-algebra whose associated Zhu's $C_2$ algebra is finite dimensional. As the associated variety of Zhu's $C_2$ algebra is identified with the Higgs branch in the 4d/2d correspondence, the lisse condition is equivalent to the absence of the Higgs branch on the 4d side. We classify 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs which do not admit Higgs branch, then these theories would give lisse W-algebras through the 4d/2d correspondence. In particular, we predict the existence of a large class of new non-admissible lisse W-algebras, which have not been studied before. The 4d theories corresponding to lisse W-algebra can appear in the Higgs branches of generic 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs, therefore they are crucial to understand the Higgs branches of $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs.