379 research outputs found
Open orbifold Gromov-Witten invariants of [C^3/Z_n]: localization and mirror symmetry
We develop a mathematical framework for the computation of open orbifold
Gromov-Witten invariants of [C^3/Z_n], and provide extensive checks with
predictions from open string mirror symmetry. To this aim we set up a
computation of open string invariants in the spirit of Katz-Liu, defining them
by localization. The orbifold is viewed as an open chart of a global quotient
of the resolved conifold, and the Lagrangian as the fixed locus of an
appropriate anti-holomorphic involution. We consider two main applications of
the formalism. After warming up with the simpler example of [C^3/Z_3], where we
verify physical predictions of Bouchard, Klemm, Marino and Pasquetti, the main
object of our study is the richer case of [C^3/Z_4], where two different
choices are allowed for the Lagrangian. For one choice, we make numerical
checks to confirm the B-model predictions; for the other, we prove a mirror
theorem for orbifold disc invariants, match a large number of annulus
invariants, and give mirror symmetry predictions for open string invariants of
genus \leq 2.Comment: 44 pages + appendices; v2: exposition improved, misprints corrected,
version to appear on Selecta Mathematica; v3: last minute mistake found and
fixed for the symmetric brane setup of [C^3/Z_4]; in pres
Anomaly Mediation, Fayet-Iliopoulos D-terms and the Renormalisation Group
We address renormalisation group evolution issues that arise in the Anomaly
Mediated Supersymmetry Breaking scenario when the tachyonic slepton problem is
resolved by Fayet-Iliopoulos term contributions. We present typical sparticle
spectra both for the original formulation of this idea and an alternative using
Fayet-Iliopoulos terms for a U(1) compatible with a straightforward GUT
embedding.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figure
The Breakdown of Topology at Small Scales
We discuss how a topology (the Zariski topology) on a space can appear to
break down at small distances due to D-brane decay. The mechanism proposed
coincides perfectly with the phase picture of Calabi-Yau moduli spaces. The
topology breaks down as one approaches non-geometric phases. This picture is
not without its limitations, which are also discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure
Mirror Manifolds in Higher Dimension
We describe mirror manifolds in dimensions different from the familiar case
of complex threefolds. We emphasize the simplifying features of dimension three
and supply more robust methods that do not rely on such special characteristics
and hence naturally generalize to other dimensions. The moduli spaces for
Calabi--Yau -folds are somewhat different from the ``special K\"ahler
manifolds'' which had occurred for , and we indicate the new geometrical
structures which arise. We formulate and apply procedures which allow for the
construction of mirror maps and the calculation of order-by-order instanton
corrections to Yukawa couplings. Mathematically, these corrections are expected
to correspond to calculating Chern classes of various parameter spaces (Hilbert
schemes) for rational curves on Calabi--Yau manifolds. Our results agree with
those obtained by more traditional mathematical methods in the limited number
of cases for which the latter analysis can be carried out. Finally, we make
explicit some striking relations between instanton corrections for various
Yukawa couplings, derived from the associativity of the operator product
algebra.Comment: 44 pages plus 3 tables using harvma
The Quantum McKay Correspondence for polyhedral singularities
Let G be a polyhedral group, namely a finite subgroup of SO(3). Nakamura's
G-Hilbert scheme provides a preferred Calabi-Yau resolution Y of the polyhedral
singularity C^3/G. The classical McKay correspondence describes the classical
geometry of Y in terms of the representation theory of G. In this paper we
describe the quantum geometry of Y in terms of R, an ADE root system associated
to G. Namely, we give an explicit formula for the Gromov-Witten partition
function of Y as a product over the positive roots of R. In terms of counts of
BPS states (Gopakumar-Vafa invariants), our result can be stated as a
correspondence: each positive root of R corresponds to one half of a genus zero
BPS state. As an application, we use the crepant resolution conjecture to
provide a full prediction for the orbifold Gromov-Witten invariants of [C^3/G].Comment: Introduction rewritten. Issue regarding non-uniqueness of conifold
resolution clarified. Version to appear in Inventione
C^2/Z_n Fractional branes and Monodromy
We construct geometric representatives for the C^2/Z_n fractional branes in
terms of branes wrapping certain exceptional cycles of the resolution. In the
process we use large radius and conifold-type monodromies, and also check some
of the orbifold quantum symmetries. We find the explicit Seiberg-duality which
connects our fractional branes to the ones given by the McKay correspondence.
We also comment on the Harvey-Moore BPS algebras.Comment: 34 pages, v1 identical to v2, v3: typos fixed, discussion of
Harvey-Moore BPS algebras update
New results on superconformal quivers
All superconformal quivers are shown to satisfy the relation c = a and are
thus good candidates for being the field theory living on D3 branes probing CY
singularities. We systematically study 3 block and 4 block chiral quivers which
admit a superconformal fixed point of the RG equation. Most of these theories
are known to arise as living on D3 branes at a singular CY manifold, namely
complex cones over del Pezzo surfaces. In the process we find a procedure of
getting a new superconformal quiver from a known one. This procedure is termed
"shrinking" and, in the 3 block case, leads to the discovery of two new models.
Thus, the number of superconformal 3 block quivers is 16 rather than the
previously known 14. We prove that this list exausts all the possibilities. We
suggest that all rank 2 chiral quivers are either del Pezzo quivers or can be
obtained by shrinking a del Pezzo quiver and verify this statement for all 4
block quivers, where a lot of "shrunk'' del Pezzo models exist.Comment: 51 pages, many figure
Quivers from Matrix Factorizations
We discuss how matrix factorizations offer a practical method of computing
the quiver and associated superpotential for a hypersurface singularity. This
method also yields explicit geometrical interpretations of D-branes (i.e.,
quiver representations) on a resolution given in terms of Grassmannians. As an
example we analyze some non-toric singularities which are resolved by a single
CP1 but have "length" greater than one. These examples have a much richer
structure than conifolds. A picture is proposed that relates matrix
factorizations in Landau-Ginzburg theories to the way that matrix
factorizations are used in this paper to perform noncommutative resolutions.Comment: 33 pages, (minor changes
Extended Holomorphic Anomaly in Gauge Theory
The partition function of an N=2 gauge theory in the Omega-background
satisfies, for generic value of the parameter beta=-eps_1/eps_2, the, in
general extended, but otherwise beta-independent, holomorphic anomaly equation
of special geometry. Modularity together with the (beta-dependent) gap
structure at the various singular loci in the moduli space completely fixes the
holomorphic ambiguity, also when the extension is non-trivial. In some cases,
the theory at the orbifold radius, corresponding to beta=2, can be identified
with an "orientifold" of the theory at beta=1. The various connections give
hints for embedding the structure into the topological string.Comment: 25 page
Topological String Amplitudes, Complete Intersection Calabi-Yau Spaces and Threshold Corrections
We present the most complete list of mirror pairs of Calabi-Yau complete
intersections in toric ambient varieties and develop the methods to solve the
topological string and to calculate higher genus amplitudes on these compact
Calabi-Yau spaces. These symplectic invariants are used to remove redundancies
in examples. The construction of the B-model propagators leads to compatibility
conditions, which constrain multi-parameter mirror maps. For K3 fibered
Calabi-Yau spaces without reducible fibers we find closed formulas for all
genus contributions in the fiber direction from the geometry of the fibration.
If the heterotic dual to this geometry is known, the higher genus invariants
can be identified with the degeneracies of BPS states contributing to
gravitational threshold corrections and all genus checks on string duality in
the perturbative regime are accomplished. We find, however, that the BPS
degeneracies do not uniquely fix the non-perturbative completion of the
heterotic string. For these geometries we can write the topological partition
function in terms of the Donaldson-Thomas invariants and we perform a
non-trivial check of S-duality in topological strings. We further investigate
transitions via collapsing D5 del Pezzo surfaces and the occurrence of free Z2
quotients that lead to a new class of heterotic duals.Comment: 117 pages, 1 Postscript figur
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