Homology and K--Theory Methods for Classes of Branes Wrapping Nontrivial Cycles

We apply some methods of homology and K-theory to special classes of branes wrapping homologically nontrivial cycles. We treat the classification of four-geometries in terms of compact stabilizers (by analogy with Thurston's classification of three-geometries) and derive the K-amenability of Lie groups associated with locally symmetric spaces listed in this case. More complicated examples of T-duality and topology change from fluxes are also considered. We analyse D-branes and fluxes in type II string theory on ${\mathbb C}P^3\times \Sigma_g \times {\mathbb T}^2$ with torsion $H-$flux and demonstrate in details the conjectured T-duality to ${\mathbb R}P^7\times X^3$ with no flux. In the simple case of $X^3 = {\mathbb T}^3$, T-dualizing the circles reduces to duality between ${\mathbb C}P^3\times {\mathbb T}^2 \times {\mathbb T}^2$ with $H-$flux and ${\mathbb R}P^7\times {\mathbb T}^3$ with no flux.Comment: 27 pages, tex file, no figure

Type I D-branes in an H-flux and twisted KO-theory

Witten has argued that charges of Type I D-branes in the presence of an H-flux, take values in twisted KO-theory. We begin with the study of real bundle gerbes and their holonomy. We then introduce the notion of real bundle gerbe KO-theory which we establish is a geometric realization of twisted KO-theory. We examine the relation with twisted K-theory, the Chern character and provide some examples. We conclude with some open problems.Comment: 23 pages, Latex2e, 2 new references adde

D-branes, KK-theory and duality on noncommutative spaces

We present a new categorical classification framework for D-brane charges on noncommutative manifolds using methods of bivariant K-theory. We describe several applications including an explicit formula for D-brane charge in cyclic homology, a refinement of open string T-duality, and a general criterion for cancellation of global worldsheet anomalies

Lectures on Nongeometric Flux Compactifications

These notes present a pedagogical review of nongeometric flux compactifications. We begin by reviewing well-known geometric flux compactifications in Type II string theory, and argue that one must include nongeometric "fluxes" in order to have a superpotential which is invariant under T-duality. Additionally, we discuss some elementary aspects of the worldsheet description of nongeometric backgrounds. This review is based on lectures given at the 2007 RTN Winter School at CERN.Comment: 31 pages, JHEP

The Ricci flow on noncommutative two-tori

In this paper we construct a version of Ricci flow for noncommutative 2-tori, based on a spectral formulation in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenfunction of the Laplacian and recent results on the Gauss-Bonnet theorem for noncommutative tori.Comment: 18 pages, LaTe

‘Where do I belong?’

The Lichnerowicz formula yields an index theoretic obstruction to positive scalar curvature metrics on closed spin manifolds. The most general form of this obstruction is due to Rosenberg and takes values in the $K$-theory of the group $C^*$-algebra of the fundamental group of the underlying manifold. We give an overview of recent results clarifying the relation of the Rosenberg index to notions from large scale geometry like enlargeability and essentialness. One central topic is the concept of $K$-homology classes of infinite $K$-area. This notion, which in its original form is due to Gromov, is put in a general context and systematically used as a link between geometrically defined large scale properties and index theoretic considerations. In particular, we prove essentialness and the non-vanishing of the Rosenberg index for manifolds of infinite $K$-area.Comment: 23 pages, small changes and correction