Massless D-Branes on Calabi-Yau Threefolds and Monodromy

We analyze the link between the occurrence of massless B-type D-branes for specific values of moduli and monodromy around such points in the moduli space. This allows us to propose a classification of all massless B-type D-branes at any point in the moduli space of Calabi-Yau's. This classification then justifies a previous conjecture due to Horja for the general form of monodromy. Our analysis is based on using monodromies around points in moduli space where a single D-brane becomes massless to generate monodromies around points where an infinite number become massless. We discuss the various possibilities within the classification.Comment: 29 pages, LaTeX2e, 3 figures, author order fixe

D-branes on Orbifolds and Topology Change

We consider D-branes on an orbifold $C^3/Z_n$ and investigate the moduli space of the D-brane world-volume gauge theory by using toric geometry and gauged linear sigma models. For $n=11$, we find that there are five phases, which are topologically distinct and connected by flops to each other. We also verify that non-geometric phases are projected out for $n=7,9,11$ cases as expected. Resolutions of non-isolated singularities are also investigated.Comment: 21 pages + 12 eps figures, LaTeX, minor correction

On the Geometric Interpretation of N = 2 Superconformal Theories

We clarify certain important issues relevant for the geometric interpretation of a large class of N = 2 superconformal theories. By fully exploiting the phase structure of these theories (discovered in earlier works) we are able to clearly identify their geometric content. One application is to present a simple and natural resolution to the question of what constitutes the mirror of a rigid Calabi-Yau manifold. We also discuss some other models with unusual phase diagrams that highlight some subtle features regarding the geometric content of conformal theories.Comment: 25 pages, note adde

Small Volumes in Compactified String Theory

We discuss some of the classical and quantum geometry associated to the degeneration of cycles within a Calabi-Yau compactification. In particular, we focus on the definition and properties of quantum volume, especially as it applies to identifying the physics associated to loci in moduli space where nonperturbative effects become manifest. We discuss some unusual features of quantum volume relative to its classical counterpart.Comment: 22 pages, 5 eps figures, harvma

More Dual String Pairs From Orbifolding

We construct more dual pairs of type II-heterotic strings in four dimensions with $N=2,1$ spacetime supersymmetry. On the type II side the construction utilizes the various possible choices of K3 automorphisms with fixed points which transform the holomorphic two-form nontrivially, and rotation plus translation on $T^2$. The Calabi-Yau orbifolds so obtained have non-zero Euler numbers, so quantum corrections exist on the type IIA strings. The heterotic string (asymmetric) orbifold duals are found which depend on going to the enhanced symmetry points. Some aspects of the construction are discussed including the role of the singularity and the possibility of going beyond the adiabatic argument. Many of these examples have also orientifold analogs.Comment: LaTex, 13 page

Enhanced Gauge Symmetries and K3 Surfaces

String-string duality dictates that type IIA strings compactified on a K3 surface acquire non-abelian gauge groups for certain values of the K3 moduli. We argue that, contrary to expectation, the theories for which such enhanced gauge symmetries appear are not orbifolds in the string sense. For a specific example we show that a theory with enhanced gauge symmetry and an orbifold theory have the same classical K3 surface as a target space but the value of the ``B-field'' differs. This raises the possibility that the conformal field theory associated to a string theory with an enhanced gauge group is badly behaved in some way.Comment: 9 pages, LaTe

Enhanced Gauge Symmetries and Calabi-Yau Threefolds

We consider the general case of a type IIA string compactified on a Calabi-Yau manifold which has a heterotic dual description. It is shown that the nonabelian gauge symmetries which can appear nonperturbatively in the type II string but which are understood perturbatively in the heterotic string are purely a result of string-string duality in six dimensions. We illustrate this with some examples.Comment: 11 pages, LaTe

Phase Transitions In M-Theory And F-Theory

Phase transitions are studied in $M$-theory and $F$-theory. In $M$-theory compactification to five dimensions on a Calabi-Yau, there are topology-changing transitions similar to those seen in conformal field theory, but the non-geometrical phases known in conformal field theory are absent. At boundaries of moduli space where such phases might have been expected, the moduli space ends, by a conventional or unconventional physical mechanism. The unconventional mechanisms, which roughly involve the appearance of tensionless strings, can sometimes be better understood in $F$-theory.Comment: 30 pp, harvman

On the Ubiquity of K3 Fibrations in String Duality

We consider the general case of N=2 dual pairs of type IIA/heterotic string theories in four dimensions. We show that if the type IIA string in this pair can be viewed as having been compactified on a Calabi-Yau manifold in the usual way then this manifold must be of the form of a K3 fibration. We also see how the bound on the rank of the gauge group of the perturbative heterotic string has a natural interpretation on the type IIA side.Comment: LateX, 16 pages, 1 figure, minor corrections, reference adde