Vertex algebras and the Landau-Ginzburg/Calabi-Yau correspondence

We construct a spectral sequence that converges to the cohomology of the chiral de Rham complex over a Calabi-Yau hypersurface and whose first term is a vertex algebra closely related to the Landau-Ginburg orbifold. As an application, we prove an explicit orbifold formula for the elliptic genus of Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces.Comment: Latex, 50p. Some typos corrected, the page size may have been fixed. One new result, a theorem on the vertx algebra structure of the Landau-Ginzburg orbifold appears in sect. 5.2.18. This is the final version to appear in the Moscow Mathematical Journa

Multiloop Superstring Amplitudes from Non-Minimal Pure Spinor Formalism

Using the non-minimal version of the pure spinor formalism, manifestly super-Poincare covariant superstring scattering amplitudes can be computed as in topological string theory without the need of picture-changing operators. The only subtlety comes from regularizing the functional integral over the pure spinor ghosts. In this paper, it is shown how to regularize this functional integral in a BRST-invariant manner, allowing the computation of arbitrary multiloop amplitudes. The regularization method simplifies for scattering amplitudes which contribute to ten-dimensional F-terms, i.e. terms in the ten-dimensional superspace action which do not involve integration over the maximum number of $\theta$'s.Comment: 23 pages harvmac, added acknowledgemen

Two-Dimensional Twisted Sigma Models, the Mirror Chiral de Rham Complex, and Twisted Generalised Mirror Symmetry

In this paper, we study the perturbative aspects of a "B-twisted" two-dimensional $(0,2)$ heterotic sigma model on a holomorphic gauge bundle $\mathcal E$ over a complex, hermitian manifold $X$. We show that the model can be naturally described in terms of the mathematical theory of ``Chiral Differential Operators". In particular, the physical anomalies of the sigma model can be reinterpreted as an obstruction to a global definition of the associated sheaf of vertex superalgebras derived from the free conformal field theory describing the model locally on $X$. In addition, one can also obtain a novel understanding of the sigma model one-loop beta function solely in terms of holomorphic data. At the $(2,2)$ locus, one can describe the resulting half-twisted variant of the topological B-model in terms of a $\it{mirror}$ "Chiral de Rham complex" (or CDR) defined by Malikov et al. in \cite{GMS1}. Via mirror symmetry, one can also derive various conjectural expressions relating the sheaf cohomology of the mirror CDR to that of the original CDR on pairs of Calabi-Yau mirror manifolds. An analysis of the half-twisted model on a non-K\"ahler group manifold with torsion also allows one to draw conclusions about the corresponding sheaves of CDR (and its mirror) that are consistent with mathematically established results by Ben-Bassat in \cite{ben} on the mirror symmetry of generalised complex manifolds. These conclusions therefore suggest an interesting relevance of the sheaf of CDR in the recent study of generalised mirror symmetry.Comment: 97 pages. Companion paper to hep-th/0604179. Published versio

Gepner-like models and Landau-Ginzburg/sigma-model correspondence

The Gepner-like models of $k^{K}$-type is considered. When $k+2$ is multiple of $K$ the elliptic genus and the Euler characteristic is calculated. Using free-field representation we relate these models with $\sigma$-models on hypersurfaces in the total space of anticanonical bundle over the projective space $\mathbb{P}^{K-1}$

A heterotic sigma model with novel target geometry

We construct a (1,2) heterotic sigma model whose target space geometry consists of a transitive Lie algebroid with complex structure on a Kaehler manifold. We show that, under certain geometrical and topological conditions, there are two distinguished topological half--twists of the heterotic sigma model leading to A and B type half--topological models. Each of these models is characterized by the usual topological BRST operator, stemming from the heterotic (0,2) supersymmetry, and a second BRST operator anticommuting with the former, originating from the (1,0) supersymmetry. These BRST operators combined in a certain way provide each half--topological model with two inequivalent BRST structures and, correspondingly, two distinct perturbative chiral algebras and chiral rings. The latter are studied in detail and characterized geometrically in terms of Lie algebroid cohomology in the quasiclassical limit.Comment: 83 pages, no figures, 2 references adde

Chiral de Rham complex on Riemannian manifolds and special holonomy

Interpreting the chiral de Rham complex (CDR) as a formal Hamiltonian quantization of the supersymmetric non-linear sigma model, we suggest a setup for the study of CDR on manifolds with special holonomy. We show how to systematically construct global sections of CDR from differential forms, and investigate the algebra of the sections corresponding to the covariantly constant forms associated with the special holonomy. As a concrete example, we construct two commuting copies of the Odake algebra (an extension of the N=2 superconformal algebra) on the space of global sections of CDR of a Calabi-Yau threefold and conjecture similar results for G_2 manifolds. We also discuss quasi-classical limits of these algebras.Comment: 49 pages, title changed, major rewrite with no changes in the main theorems, published versio

Beta-gamma systems and the deformations of the BRST operator

We describe the relation between simple logarithmic CFTs associated with closed and open strings, and their "infinite metric" limits, corresponding to the beta-gamma systems. This relation is studied on the level of the BRST complex: we show that the consideration of metric as a perturbation leads to a certain deformation of the algebraic operations of the Lian-Zuckerman type on the vertex algebra, associated with the beta-gamma systems. The Maurer-Cartan equations corresponding to this deformed structure in the quasiclassical approximation lead to the nonlinear field equations. As an explicit example, we demonstrate, that using this construction, Yang-Mills equations can be derived. This gives rise to a nontrivial relation between the Courant-Dorfman algebroid and homotopy algebras emerging from the gauge theory. We also discuss possible algebraic approach to the study of beta-functions in sigma-models.Comment: LaTeX2e, 15 pages; minor revision, typos corrected, Journal of Physics A, in pres