Kodaira-Spencer Theory of Gravity and Exact Results for Quantum String Amplitudes

We develop techniques to compute higher loop string amplitudes for twisted $N=2$ theories with $\hat c=3$ (i.e. the critical case). An important ingredient is the discovery of an anomaly at every genus in decoupling of BRST trivial states, captured to all orders by a master anomaly equation. In a particular realization of the $N=2$ theories, the resulting string field theory is equivalent to a topological theory in six dimensions, the Kodaira--Spencer theory, which may be viewed as the closed string analog of the Chern--Simon theory. Using the mirror map this leads to computation of the `number' of holomorphic curves of higher genus curves in Calabi--Yau manifolds. It is shown that topological amplitudes can also be reinterpreted as computing corrections to superpotential terms appearing in the effective 4d theory resulting from compactification of standard 10d superstrings on the corresponding $N=2$ theory. Relations with $c=1$ strings are also pointed out.Comment: 178 pages, 20 figure

FMM-accelerated solvers for the Laplace-Beltrami problem on complex surfaces in three dimensions

The Laplace-Beltrami problem on closed surfaces embedded in three dimensions arises in many areas of physics, including molecular dynamics (surface diffusion), electromagnetics (harmonic vector fields), and fluid dynamics (vesicle deformation). Using classical potential theory,the Laplace-Beltrami operator can be pre-/post-conditioned with integral operators whose kernel is translation invariant, resulting in well-conditioned Fredholm integral equations of the second-kind. These equations have the standard Laplace kernel from potential theory, and therefore the equations can be solved rapidly and accurately using a combination of fast multipole methods (FMMs) and high-order quadrature corrections. In this work we detail such a scheme, presenting two alternative integral formulations of the Laplace-Beltrami problem, each of whose solution can be obtained via FMM acceleration. We then present several applications of the solvers, focusing on the computation of what are known as harmonic vector fields, relevant for many applications in electromagnetics. A battery of numerical results are presented for each application, detailing the performance of the solver in various geometries.Comment: 18 pages, 5 tables, 3 figure

Computation of eigenmodes on a compact hyperbolic 3-space

Measurements of cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy are ideal experiments for discovering the non-trivial global topology of the universe. To evaluate the CMB anisotropy in multiply-connected compact cosmological models, one needs to compute the eigenmodes of the Laplace-Beltrami operator. Using the direct boundary element method, we numerically obtain the low-lying eigenmodes on a compact hyperbolic 3-space called the Thurston manifold which is the second smallest in the known compact hyperbolic 3-manifolds. The computed eigenmodes are expanded in terms of eigenmodes on the unit three-dimensional pseudosphere. We numerically find that the expansion coefficients behave as Gaussian pseudo-random numbers for low-lying eigenmodes. The observed gaussianity in the CMB fluctuations can partially be attributed to the Gaussian pseudo-randomness of the expansion coefficients assuming that the Gaussian pseudo-randomness is the universal property of the compact hyperbolic spaces.Comment: 40 pages, 8 EPS figures; error estimation is included; accepted Classical and Quantum Gravit

Symbol calculus and zeta--function regularized determinants

In this work, we use semigroup integral to evaluate zeta-function regularized determinants. This is especially powerful for non--positive operators such as the Dirac operator. In order to understand fully the quantum effective action one should know not only the potential term but also the leading kinetic term. In this purpose we use the Weyl type of symbol calculus to evaluate the determinant as a derivative expansion. The technique is applied both to a spin--0 bosonic operator and to the Dirac operator coupled to a scalar field.Comment: Added references, some typos corrected, published versio

Graviton confinement inside hypermonopoles of any dimension

We show the generic existence of metastable massive gravitons in the four-dimensional core of self-gravitating hypermonopoles in any number of infinite-volume extra-dimensions. Confinement is observed for Higgs and gauge bosons couplings of the order unity. Provided these resonances are light enough, they realise the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati mechanism by inducing a four-dimensional gravity law on some intermediate length scales. The effective four-dimensional Planck mass is shown to be proportional to a negative power of the graviton mass. As a result, requiring gravity to be four-dimensional on cosmological length scales may solve the mass hierarchy problem.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures, uses iopart. Misprints corrected, references added, matches published versio