No label defined (Q3974919)

[For the entire collection see Zbl 0724.00013.] The author explains the vertex operator construction of a level one representation of the affine Lie algebra \(\hat{\mathfrak g}\), when the corresponding simple Lie algebra \(\mathfrak g\) is not simply laced, i.e. is of type \(B_ r({\mathfrak so}(2r+1))\), \(C_ r({\mathfrak sp}(r))\), \(F_ 4\), or \(G_ 2\). This construction was independently obtained by the author with P. Goddard, W. Nahm and A. Schwimmer and by Bernard and Thierrry- Mieg. First the author notes that from the description of the \(c\)-number of the Virasoro algebra, which appears from the Sugawara construction, it follows that the Virasoro generators relevant to level 1 representations of \(\hat{\mathfrak g}\) with \({\mathfrak g}=B_ r,C_ r,F_ 4\) cannot, in general, be constructed from free fields (differing from the case when \({\mathfrak g}=A_ r\)). When \({\mathfrak g}\) is not simply laced, its long roots form the root system of a subalgebra of \({\mathfrak g}\), denoted \({\mathfrak g}_ L\). Since \({\mathfrak g}_ L\) is simply laced one may use the usual vertex construction for simply laced algebras. The author considers the remaining generators, corresponding to short roots, which lie on orbits under the action of the Weyl group of \({\mathfrak g}_ L\). The generators corresponding to these roots are represented by fermion fields, which in general interact with each other. These orbits are all isomorphic. The number of short roots in an orbit is 2 for \({\mathfrak su}(n)\), 4 for \(C_{r+1}\) and 8 for \(F_ 4\), i.e. the dimensions of the complex numbers, quaternions and octonions. This fact follows from the existence of a multiplication law on the orbits which can be identified with these division algebras. Finally the author explains the interest in vertex constructions for superstring theory. [Part II by \textit{P. Goddard} is reviewed below.].