Twisted vertex operators and Bernoulli polynomials

Abstract

Using general principles in the theory of vertex operator algebras and their twisted modules, we obtain a bosonic, twisted construction of a certain central extension of a Lie algebra of differential operators on the circle, for an arbitrary twisting automorphism. The construction involves the Bernoulli polynomials in a fundamental way. We develop new identities and principles in the theory of vertex operator algebras and their twisted modules, and explain the construction by applying general results, including an identity that we call "modified weak associativity", to the Heisenberg vertex operator algebra. This paper gives proofs and further explanations of results announced earlier. It is a generalization to twisted vertex operators of work announced by the second author some time ago, and includes as a special case the proof of the main results of that work.