Differential equations associated to the \(SU(2)\) WZNW model on elliptic curves (Q1922289)

\textit{A. Tsuchiya, K. Ueno} and \textit{Y. Yamada} [Conformal field theory on universal family of stable curves with gauge symmetries, Adv. Stud. Pure Math. 19, 459-566 (1989; Zbl 0696.17010)]\ have given a mathematical formulation of the Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten model associated to a finite-dimensional simple Lie algebra \(\mathfrak g\). The correlation functions (\(N\)-point functions) are defined as flat sections of the vector bundle of conformal blocks over the moduli space (or the configuration space) of \(N\)-pointed curves of genus \(g\). This bundle is constructed via representations of the affine Lie algebra \(\widehat{\mathfrak g}\). Roughly speaking, the vector bundle of conformal blocks is the bundle of linear forms on the representation bundle which are annihilated by a certain geometrical subalgebra. For \(g=0\), the Riemann sphere with \(N\) marked points, these linear forms are already determined if one knows them on the ``zero degree part''. It consists of the representations of the finite-dimensional Lie algebra \(\mathfrak g\). The flat section are solutions of the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov (KZ) equations. In this article the author generalizes this to the genus 1 case. He characterises the \(N\)-point function as vector valued functions satisfying a system of differential equations. This system contains the generalization of the KZ equation by Bernard and Felder, the KZB equation. The article concentrates on \(\mathfrak g=\mathfrak s\mathfrak l(2,\mathbb C)\). First the author recalls the \(g=0\) situation. In particular, the relation of the \(N\)-point functions defined via conformal blocks with the traces of certain vertex operator algebras (see also Tsuchiya and Kanie) is explained. Next the \(g=1\) case, the elliptic curve case, is examined. Here it is not true anymore that we know the linear form if we know its restriction to the zero degree part. The essential idea to overcome this difficulty, which goes back to Bernard, Eguchi, Ooguri and more recently \textit{G. Felder} and \textit{C. Wieczerkowski} [Commun. Math. Phys. 176, 133-161 (1996)] is to twist the space of conformal blocks by introducing an additional free twisting parameter. For generic values of the twisting parameter a certain restriction result is valid and a system of differential equations (containing the KZB equation) can be given which is fulfilled by the \(N\)-point functions. The author gives a complete set of differential equations (consisting of 4 different types) which determines the solution space completely (Theorem 3.3.4). By a sewing procedure the elements of the solution space can be described equivalently also as traces of vertex operators (Theorem 3.4.3). Explicit formulas are given for the 1-point case. Heat kernel type equations and theta functions appear.