Representation theory of the vertex algebra \(W_{1+\infty}\) (Q1924188)

Representations of the (unique) central extension \(\widehat {\mathcal D}\) of the Lie algebra of differential operators (with a finite number of Fourier modes) on the circle are studied. The authors together with other collaborators began these studies in the articles [\textit{V. Kac} and \textit{A. Radul}, Commun. Math. Phys. 157, 429-457 (1993; Zbl 0826.17027)] and [\textit{E. Frenkel}, \textit{V. Kac}, \textit{A. Radul} and \textit{W. Wang}, Commun. Math. Phys. 170, 337-357 (1995; Zbl 0838.17028)]. The representations are studied with the help of irreducible highest weight representations of the central extension \(\widehat {gl} (\infty)\) of the Lie algebra of infinite matrices with only finitely many diagonals and with the help of vertex algebras. For every central charge \(c\in \mathbb{C}\) there is an induced \(\widehat {\mathcal D}\)-module \(M_c\). This module admits a canonical vertex algebra structure. The unique irreducible quotient is denoted by \(W_{1+ \infty}\). The highest weight representations of the vertex algebra \(M_c\) are in canonical \(1-1\) correspondence to the highest weight representations of \(\widehat {\mathcal D}\) with central charge \(c\). The goal is to describe the representations of the simple vertex algebra \(W_{1+ \infty}\). By suitable normalisation of the defining cocycle for \(\widehat {\mathcal D}\) the representation \(M_c\) is already irreducible for \(c \notin \mathbb{Z}\). The representations with \(c= N \in \mathbb{N}_0\) were studied in the above mentioned articles. The case \(c = -N\), \(N\in \mathbb{N}\) is considered in the article under review. The main result is a decomposition of the vertex algebra of \(N\) charged free bosons with respect to the commuting pair of Lie algebras \(gl(N)\) and \(\widehat {gl} (\infty)\). In this way a large class of irreducible modules are produced. The authors conjecture that all irreducible modules can be obtained by applying certain constructions to them. Explicit character formulas are given. A basic tool is a modified theory of dual Howe pairs.