From Vertex Operators to Calogero-Sutherland Models

The correlation function of the product of N generalized vertex operators satisfies an infinite set of Ward identities, related to a W_{\infty} algebra, whose extention out of the mass shell gives rise to equations which can be considered as a generalization of the compactified Calogero-Sutherland (CS) hamiltonians. In particular the wave function of the ground state of the compactified CS model is shown to be given by the value of the product of N vertex operators between the vacuum and exitated state. The role of vertex algebra as underlying unifying structure is pointed out.