Virasoro group (original) (raw)

In abstract algebra, the Virasoro group or Bott–Virasoro group (often denoted by Vir) is an infinite-dimensional Lie group defined as the universal central extension of the group of diffeomorphisms of the circle. The corresponding Lie algebra is the Virasoro algebra, which has a key role in conformal field theory (CFT) and string theory. The group is named after Miguel Ángel Virasoro and Raoul Bott.