Vertex Algebras from 3d N=4 and symplectic singularities: a gentle introduction

Andrea Ferrari (DESY and U Cambridge and U Edinburgh)

Tuesday 25th November 16:00-17:00
Maths 311B

Abstract

Topogically twisted 3d N=4 theories enjoy boundary conditions supporting chiral CFTs (aka Vertex Operator Algebras), a set-up that can be thought of as a remarkable generalisation of the famous Chern-Simons theory/WZW correspondence. The nature of this generalised correspondence is intimately related to the geometry of the moduli spaces of vacua of the TFTs, which in certain cases are symplectic singularities. It turns out to be incredibly instructive, both physically and mathematically, to study the boundary VOAs from this geometric perspective. In this talk I will give a gentle introduction to the main ideas underlying this perspective, focusing on elementary examples. If time will permit, I will explain how these examples may already shed light on imporant phenomena in mathematics (symplectic duality) or physics (minimal tension holography).

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