W-algebras associated to surfaces

Abstract: We define an integral form of the deformed W-algebra of type gl_r, and construct its action on the K-theory groups of moduli spaces of rank r stable sheaves on a smooth projective surface S, under certain assumptions. Our construction generalizes the action studied by Nakajima, Grojnowski and Baranovsky in cohomology, although the appearance of deformed W-algebras by generators and relations is a new feature. Physically, this action encodes the AGT correspondence for 5d supersymmetric gauge theory on S x circle.