The rapidly-evolving theory of vertex operator algebras provides deep insight into many important algebraic structures. Vertex operator algebras can be viewed as "complex analogues" of both Lie algebras and associative algebras. The monograph is written in a n accessible and self-contained manner, with detailed proofs and with many examples interwoven through the axiomatic treatment as motivation and applications. It will be useful for research mathematicians and theoretical physicists working the such fields as representation theory and algebraic structure sand will provide the basis for a number of graduate courses and seminars on these and related topics.

Inhalt
1 Introduction.- 2 The setting.- 3 Relative untwisted vertex operators.- 4 Quotient vertex operators.- 5 A Jacobi identity for relative untwisted vertex operators.- 6 Generalized vertex operator algebras and their modules.- 7 Duality for generalized vertex operator algebras.- 8 Monodromy representations of braid groups.- 9 Generalized vertex algebras and duality.- 10 Tensor products.- 11 Intertwining operators.- 12 Abelian intertwining algebras, third cohomology and duality.- 13 Affine Lie algebras and vertex operator algebras.- 14 Z-algebras and parafermion algebras.- List of frequently-used symbols, in order of appearance.