Homotopy Gerstenhaber Structures and Vertex Algebras

Abstract

We provide a simple construction of a Gerstenhaber-infinity algebra structure on a class of vertex algebras V, which lifts the strict Gerstenhaber algebra structure on BRST cohomology of V introduced by Lian and Zuckerman. We outline two applications: the construction of a sheaf of Gerstenhaber-infinity algebras on a Calabi-Yau manifold extending the multiplication and bracket of functions and vector fields, and of a Lie-infinity structure related to the bracket of Courant.