Computation of open Gromov-Witten invariants for toric Calabi-Yau 3-folds by topological recursion, a proof of the BKMP conjecture

The BKMP conjecture (2006-2008), proposed a new method to compute closed and open Gromov-Witten invariants for every toric Calabi-Yau 3-folds, through a topological recursion based on mirror symmetry. So far, this conjecture had been verified to low genus for several toric CY3folds, and proved to all genus only for C^3. In this article we prove the general case. Our proof is based on the fact that both sides of the conjecture can be naturally written in terms of combinatorial sums of weighted graphs: on the A-model side this is the localization formula, and on the B-model side the graphs encode the recursive algorithm of the topological recursion. One can slightly reorganize the set of graphs obtained in the B-side, so that it coincides with the one obtained by localization in the A-model.Then it suffices to compare the weights of vertices and edges of graphs on each side, which is done in 2 steps: the weights coincide in the large radius limit, due to the fact that the toric graph is the tropical limit of the mirror curve. Then the derivatives with respect to K\"ahler radius coincide due to special geometry property implied by the topological recursion.Comment: Pdf Latex, 66 pages+30 pages of appendix, about 30 figures. Revised version: improvement in the presentation of mirror ma

Photospheric constraints, current uncertainties in models of stellar atmospheres, and spectroscopic surveys

We summarize here the discussions around photospheric constraints, current uncertainties in models of stellar atmospheres, and reports on ongoing spectroscopic surveys. Rather than a panorama of the state of the art, we chose to present a list of open questions that should be investigated in order to improve future analyses.Comment: Proc. of the workshop "Asteroseismology of stellar populations in the Milky Way" (Sesto, 22-26 July 2013), Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, (eds. A. Miglio, L. Girardi, P. Eggenberger, J. Montalban

Algebraic methods in random matrices and enumerative geometry

We review the method of symplectic invariants recently introduced to solve matrix models loop equations, and further extended beyond the context of matrix models. For any given spectral curve, one defined a sequence of differential forms, and a sequence of complex numbers Fg . We recall the definition of the invariants Fg, and we explain their main properties, in particular symplectic invariance, integrability, modularity,... Then, we give several example of applications, in particular matrix models, enumeration of discrete surfaces (maps), algebraic geometry and topological strings, non-intersecting brownian motions,...Comment: review article, Latex, 139 pages, many figure

Topological expansion of mixed correlations in the hermitian 2 Matrix Model and x-y symmetry of the F_g invariants

We compute expectation values of mixed traces containing both matrices in a two matrix model, i.e. generating function for counting bicolored discrete surfaces with non uniform boundary conditions. As an application, we prove the $x-y$ symmetry of the algebraic curve invariants introduced in math-ph/0702045.Comment: 37 pages, late

Invariants of algebraic curves and topological expansion

For any arbitrary algebraic curve, we define an infinite sequence of invariants. We study their properties, in particular their variation under a variation of the curve, and their modular properties. We also study their limits when the curve becomes singular. In addition we find that they can be used to define a formal series, which satisfies formally an Hirota equation, and we thus obtain a new way of constructing a tau function attached to an algebraic curve. These invariants are constructed in order to coincide with the topological expansion of a matrix formal integral, when the algebraic curve is chosen as the large N limit of the matrix model's spectral curve. Surprisingly, we find that the same invariants also give the topological expansion of other models, in particular the matrix model with an external field, and the so-called double scaling limit of matrix models, i.e. the (p,q) minimal models of conformal field theory. As an example to illustrate the efficiency of our method, we apply it to the Kontsevitch integral, and we give a new and extremely easy proof that Kontsevitch integral depends only on odd times, and that it is a KdV tau-function.Comment: 92 pages, LaTex, 33 figures, many misprints corrected, small modifications, additional figure

Dominating surface group representations by Fuchsian ones

We prove that a representation from the fundamental group of a closed surface of negative Euler characteristic with values in the isometry group of a Riemannian manifold of sectional curvature bounded by -1 can be dominated by a Fuchsian representation. Moreover, we prove that the domination can be made strict, unless the representation is discrete and faithful in restriction to an invariant totally geodesic 2-plane of curvature -1. When applied to representations into PSL(2,R) of non-extremal Euler class, our result is a step forward in understanding the space of closed anti-de Sitter 3-manifolds.Comment: Added details in lemma 2.3. Corrected a mistake about the link with Toledo's theorem. Removed a superfluous assumption in theorem F and added a last section about "perspectives in higher rank