The Heisenberg category of a category

Abstract

Starting with a k-linear or DG category admitting a (homotopy) Serre functor, we construct a k-linear or DG 2-category categorifying the Heisenberg algebra of the numerical K-group of the original category. We also define a 2-categorical analogue of the Fock space representation of the Heisenberg algebra. Our construction generalises and unifies various categorical Heisenberg algebra actions appearing in the literature. In particular, we give a full categorical enhancement of the action on derived categories of symmetric quotient stacks introduced by Krug, which itself categorifies a Heisenberg algebra action proposed by Grojnowski.

arXiv comment140 pages (reformatted); v4; final version, to appear in Mem. Am. Math. Soc