Infinite-dimensional Lie algebras in string theory

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Nils R. Scheithauer
• Subject Area: Mathematics
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 243643317

Affine Kac-Moody algebras are affinizations of the finite-dimensional simple Lie algebras. They have various applications in mathematics and physics, e.g. in geometry and string theory. It has turned out that there is another class of infinite-dimensional Lie algebras which has similarly nice properties. These are the generalized Kac-Moody algebras whose denominator functions are automorphic forms of singular weight on orthogonal groups. These Lie algebras can be classified. It is believed that they describe strings moving on suitable orbifolds. The objective of this project is to give a proof of this conjecture.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Japan, USA
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Richard Borcherds; Professor Dr. Gerald Höhn; Professor Dr. Masahiko Miyamoto