On axiomatic approaches to vertex operator algebras and modules Book

The notion of vertex operator algebra arises naturally in the vertex operator construction of the Monster---the largest sporadic finite simple group. From another perspective, the theory of vertex operator algebras and their modules forms the algebraic foundation of conformal field theory. Vertex operator algebras and conformal field theory are now known to be deeply related to many important areas of mathematics. This essentially self-contained monograph develops the basic axiomatic theory of vertex operator algebras and their modules and intertwining operators, following a fundamental analogy with Lie algebra theory. The main axiom, the Jacobi(-Cauchy) identity'', is a far-reaching analog of the Jacobi identity for Lie algebras. The authors show that the Jacobi identity is equivalent to suitably formulated rationality, commutativity, and associativity properties of products of quantum fields. A number of other foundational and useful results are also developed.