Basic representations for classical affine Lie algebras (Q1570864)

The author constructs explicit bases for the basic modules of affine Lie algebras of types \(A_l^{(1)}\), \(B_l^{(1)}\), \(C_l^{(1)}\) and \(D_l^{(1)}\). The approach is the following. First, the author constructs a spanning set for the modules. Next, he uses a generalization of the Frenkel-Kac vertex operator approach [Invent. Math. 62, 23-66 (1980; Zbl 0493.17010)] to eliminate certain elements. Viewing the elements of the spanning set as coloured partitions, the author writes the elimination rules as difference conditions for an `energy' function. The terminology reflects the surprising fact that the energy function is precisely the same as the energy functions associated to perfect crystals in the work of \textit{Kang, Kashiwara, Misra, Miwa, Nakashima} and \textit{Nakayashiki} [Int. J. Mod. Phys. A 7, Suppl. 1A, 449-484 (1992; Zbl 0925.17005)]. This connection then allows the author to prove linear independence of his reduced sets by reference to the crystal base character formula for standard modules. The correspondence between the two energy functions is established in a case-by-case manner.