An Introduction to Affine Kac-Moody Algebras

Master Class, 16 to 20 October 2006 by David Hernandez (CNRS, France)

Abstract: Affine Kac-Moody algebras $\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ are infinite dimensional analogs of semi-simple Lie algebras $\mathfrak{g}$ and have a central role in both Mathematics and Mathematical Physics (Conformal Field Theory).

In these lectures we will first explain how $\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ appears naturally as a central extension of the loop algebra of a semi-simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ . Then it is possible to define a system of Chevalley generators which gives a unified point of view on $\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ and $\mathfrak{g}$ . The representation theory of $\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ is very rich.

We study two classes of representations:
- the category O of representations: for example it contains simple highest weight representations (they are not finite dimensional except a few ones).
- the category of finite dimensional representations : for example it contains representations obtained by evaluation from finite dimensional representations of $\mathfrak{g}$ . $\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ has a central element which allows to define the level of a simple representation.

Then we will study more advanced topics as the fusion product inside the category of a given level, the critical level and applications to Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations.

Professor David Hernandez will be visiting CTQM from 12 to 29 October 2006.

Schedule

The schedule for the Master Class is as follows:
Week 42, Auditorium D4, Bldg. 1.531, 2nd floor
Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October:
10:00-10:45 Lecture
10:45-11:15 Coffee break
11:15-12:00 Lecture

List of Participants

Participants

Master Class Notes

An Introduction to Affine Kac-Moody Algebras

Revised 19.12.2006