Geometric discretization of the Koenigs nets

We introduce the Koenigs lattice, which is a new integrable reduction of the quadrilateral lattice (discrete conjugate net) and provides natural integrable discrete analogue of the Koenigs net. We construct the Darboux-type transformations of the Koenigs lattice and we show permutability of superpositions of such transformations, thus proving integrability of the Koenigs lattice. We also investigate the geometry of the discrete Koenigs transformation. In particular we characterize the Koenigs transformation in terms of an involution determined by a congruence conjugate to the lattice.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures; some spelling and typing errors correcte

D6-branes and torsion

The D6-brane spectrum of type IIA vacua based on twisted tori and RR background fluxes is analyzed. In particular, we compute the torsion factors of the (co)homology groups H_n and describe the effect that they have on D6-brane physics. For instance, the fact that H_3 contains Z_N subgroups explains why RR tadpole conditions are affected by geometric fluxes. In addition, the presence of torsional (co)homology shows why some D6-brane moduli are lifted, and it suggests how the D-brane discretum appears in type IIA flux compactifications. Finally, we give a clear, geometrical understanding of the Freed-Witten anomaly in the present type IIA setup, and discuss its consequences for the construction of semi-realistic flux vacua.Comment: 35 pages, 1 figure. One reference adde

The Pure Virtual Braid Group Is Quadratic

If an augmented algebra K over Q is filtered by powers of its augmentation ideal I, the associated graded algebra grK need not in general be quadratic: although it is generated in degree 1, its relations may not be generated by homogeneous relations of degree 2. In this paper we give a sufficient criterion (called the PVH Criterion) for grK to be quadratic. When K is the group algebra of a group G, quadraticity is known to be equivalent to the existence of a (not necessarily homomorphic) universal finite type invariant for G. Thus the PVH Criterion also implies the existence of such a universal finite type invariant for the group G. We apply the PVH Criterion to the group algebra of the pure virtual braid group (also known as the quasi-triangular group), and show that the corresponding associated graded algebra is quadratic, and hence that these groups have a (not necessarily homomorphic) universal finite type invariant.Comment: 53 pages, 15 figures. Some clarifications added and inaccuracies corrected, reflecting suggestions made by the referee of the published version of the pape

The stable free rank of symmetry of products of spheres

A well known conjecture in the theory of transformation groups states that if p is a prime and (Z/p)^r acts freely on a product of k spheres, then r is less than or equal to k. We prove this assertion if p is large compared to the dimension of the product of spheres. The argument builds on tame homotopy theory for non simply connected spaces.Comment: 30 pages; improved exposition, some details adde

Equivariant cohomology and localization for Lie algebroids

Let M be a manifold carrying the action of a Lie group G, and let A be a Lie algebroid on M equipped with a compatible infinitesimal G-action. Using these data, we construct an equivariant cohomology of A and prove a related localization formula for the case of compact G. By way of application, we prove an analog of the Bott formul