Quantum curves and conformal field theory

Abstract

To a given algebraic curve we assign an infinite family of quantum curves (Schr\"odinger equations), which are in one-to-one correspondence with, and have the structure of, Virasoro singular vectors. For a spectral curve of a matrix model we build such quantum curves out of an appropriate representation of the Virasoro algebra, encoded in the structure of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}/\ensuremath{\beta}$-deformed matrix integral and its loop equation. We generalize this construction to a large class of algebraic curves by means of a refined topological recursion. We also specialize this construction to various specific matrix models with polynomial and logarithmic potentials, and among other results, show that various ingredients familiar in the study of conformal field theory (Ward identities, correlation functions and a representation of Virasoro operators acting thereon, Belavin-Polyakov-Zamolodchikov equations) arise upon specialization of our formalism to the multi-Penner matrix model.