Intertwining Operator Algebras, Genus-Zero Modular Functors and Genus-Zero Conformal Field Theories

Abstract

We describe the construction of the genus-zero parts of conformal field theories in the sense of G. Segal from representations of vertex operator algebras satisfying certain conditions. The construction is divided into four steps and each step gives a mathematical structure of independent interest. These mathematical structures are intertwining operator algebras, genus-zero modular functors, genus-zero holomorphic weakly conformal field theories, and genus-zero conformal field theories.