Scattering amplitudes and vertex algebras

Abstract: Scattering amplitudes are fundamental quantities in quantum field theory. Vertex algebras are well-developed algebraic objects which encode the structure of two-dimensional conformal field theories. I will describe a surprising relationship between these two topics, which goes by the name “celestial holography”. This relationship gives new techniques for computing scattering amplitudes of Yang-Mills theory. No prior knowledge of quantum field theory will be required for this talk.