Gluing vertex algebras

Understand

We relate commutative algebras in braided tensor categories to braid-reversed tensor equivalences, motivated by vertex algebra representation theory.

• First, for $\mathcal{C}$ a braided tensor category, we give a detailed construction of the canonical algebra in $\mathcal{C}\boxtimes\mathcal{C}^\text{rev}$: if $\mathcal{C}$ is semisimple but not necessarily finite or rigid, then $\bigoplus_{X\in\text{Irr}(\mathcal{C})}X'\boxtimes X$ is a commutative algebra, with $X'$ a representing object for $\text{Hom}_\mathcal{C}(\bullet\otimes_\mathcal{C}X,\mathbf{1}_{\mathcal{C}})$.
• Conversely, let $A=\bigoplus_{i\in I}U_i\boxtimes V_i$ be a simple commutative algebra in $\mathcal{U}\boxtimes\mathcal{V}$ with $\mathcal{U}$ semisimple and rigid but not necessarily finite, and $\mathcal{V}$ rigid but not necessarily semisimple.
• If the unit objects of $\mathcal{U}$ and $\mathcal{V}$ form a commuting pair in $A$, we show there is a braid-reversed equivalence between subcategories of $\mathcal{U}$ and $\mathcal{V}$ sending $U_i$ to $V_i^*$.