Finite vertex algebras and nilpotence (Q2464509)

The author studies vertex algebras \(V\) that are finitely generated as \({\mathbb C}[T]\)-modules, where \(T \in \text{End}\,V\) is the translation operator (satisfying \([T,Y(a,z)]=Y(Ta,z)={d\over dz}Y(a,z)\) for any \(a \in V\)). Such vertex algebras are called finite. Using results on Lie conformal algebras (and vertex algebras) from [the author and \textit{V. G. Kac}, Sel. Math., New Ser. 4, No. 3, 377--418 (1998; Zbl 0918.17019)], and the author [J. Algebra 319, 2106--2112 (2008; Zbl 1233.17022)], he shows that simple finite vertex algebras are commutative. He also shows that, for a finite vertex algebra without nilpotent elements, the underlying Lie conformal algebra structure is nilpotent.