Related papers: Lectures on W algebras and W gravity

We discuss new realisations of $W$ algebras in which the currents are expressed in terms of two arbitrary commuting energy-momentum tensors together with a set of free scalar fields. This contrasts with the previously-known realisations,…

Classical W-gravities and the corresponding quantum theories are reviewed. W-gravities are higher-spin gauge theories in two dimensions whose gauge algebras are W-algebras. The geometrical structure of classical W-gravity is investigated,…

It has recently been shown that the $W_3$ and $W_3^{(2)}$ algebras can be considered as subalgebras in some linear conformal algebras. In this paper we show that the nonlinear algebras $W_{2,4}$ and $WB_2$ as well as Zamolodchikov's spin…

We review the new approach to the theory of nonlinear $W$-algebras which is developed recently and called {\it conformal linearization}. In this approach $W$-algebras are embedded as subalgebras into some {\it linear conformal} algebras…

We review the structure of W_\infty algebras, their super and topological extensions, and their contractions down to (super) w_\infty. Emphasis is put on the field theoretic realisations of these algebras. We also review the structure of…

We present a classification of $W$ algebras and superalgebras arising in Abelian as well as non Abelian Toda theories. Each model, obtained from a constrained WZW action, is related with an $Sl(2)$ subalgebra (resp. $OSp(1|2)$ superalgebra)…

A physical and geometrical interpretation of previously introduced tensor operator algebras of U(2,2) in terms of algebras of higher-conformal-spin quantum fields on the anti-de Sitter space AdS_5 is provided. These are higher-dimensional…

We show that almost all string theories, including the bosonic string, the superstring and $W$-string theories, possess a twisted N=2 superconformal symmetry. This enables us to establish a connection between topological gravity and the…

We show that a wide class of $W$-(super)algebras, including $W_N^{(N-1)}$, $U(N)$-superconformal as well as $W_N$ nonlinear algebras, can be linearized by embedding them as subalgebras into some {\em linear} (super)conformal algebras with…

We quantise the classical gauge theory of $N=2\ w_\infty$-supergravity and show how the underlying $N=2$ super-$w_\infty$ algebra gets deformed into an $N=2$ super-$W_\infty$ algebra. Both algebras contain the $N=2$ super-Virasoro algebra…

We study the irreducible unitary highest weight representations, which are obtained from free field realizations, of $W$ infinity algebras ($W_{\infty}$, $W_{1+\infty}$, $W_{\infty}^{1,1}$, $W_{\infty}^M$, $W_{1+\infty}^N$,…

It is argued that chiral algebras of conformal field theory possess a W-algebra structure. A survey of explicitly known W-algebras and their constructions is given. (Talk given at the XIX International Colloquium on ``Group Theoretical…

Two series of W-algebras with two generators are constructed from chiral vertex operators of a free field representation. If $c = 1 - 24k$, there exists a W(2,3k) algebra for k in $Z_{+}/2$ and a W(2,8k) algebra for k in $Z_{+}/4$. All…

We investigate extensions of the N=2 super Virasoro algebra by one additional super primary field and its charge conjugate. Using a supersymmetric covariant formalism we construct all N=2 super W-algebras up to spin 5/2 of the additional…

We discuss the N=2 extension of Polyakov-Bershadsky $W_3^{(2)}$ algebra with the generic central charge, $c$, at the quantum level in superspace. It contains, in addition to the spin 1 N=2 stress tensor, the spins $1/2, 2$ bosonic and spins…

Using the differential equation approach to W-algebras, we discuss the inclusion of punctures in W-string theory. The key result is the existence of different kinds of punctures in W-strings. This is similar to the NS and R punctures…

The most general large ${\cal N}=4$ superconformal ${\cal W}_{\infty}$ algebra, containing in addition to the superconformal algebra one supermultiplet for each integer spin, is analysed in detail. It is found that the ${\cal W}_{\infty}$…

We consider the problem of classification of all W algebras which commute with a set of exponential screening operators. Assuming that the W algebra has a nontrivial current of spin 3, we find equations satisfied by the screening operators…

We present the complete structure of the nonlinear $N=2$ super extension of Polyakov-Bershadsky, $W_3^{(2)}$, algebra with the generic central charge, $c$, at the {\it quantum} level. It contains extra two pairs of fermionic currents with…

Many extended conformal algebras with one generator in addition to the Virasoro field as well as Casimir algebras have non-trivial outer automorphisms which enables one to impose `twisted' boundary conditions on the chiral fields. We study…