A topological view of Gromov-Witten theory

We study relative Gromov-Witten theory via universal relations provided by the interaction of degeneration and localization. We find relative Gromov-Witten theory is completely determined by absolute Gromov-Witten theory. The relationship between the relative and absolute theories is guided by a strong analogy to classical topology. As an outcome, we present a mathematical determination of the Gromov-Witten invariants (in all genera) of the Calabi-Yau quintic 3-fold in terms of known theories.Comment: 43 pages, revised & new surface calculation adde

Curves on K3 surfaces and modular forms

We study the virtual geometry of the moduli spaces of curves and sheaves on K3 surfaces in primitive classes. Equivalences relating the reduced Gromov-Witten invariants of K3 surfaces to characteristic numbers of stable pairs moduli spaces are proven. As a consequence, we prove the Katz-Klemm-Vafa conjecture evaluating $\lambda_g$ integrals (in all genera) in terms of explicit modular forms. Indeed, all K3 invariants in primitive classes are shown to be governed by modular forms. The method of proof is by degeneration to elliptically fibered rational surfaces. New formulas relating reduced virtual classes on K3 surfaces to standard virtual classes after degeneration are needed for both maps and sheaves. We also prove a Gromov-Witten/Pairs correspondence for toric 3-folds. Our approach uses a result of Kiem and Li to produce reduced classes. In Appendix A, we answer a number of questions about the relationship between the Kiem-Li approach, traditional virtual cycles, and symmetric obstruction theories. The interplay between the boundary geometry of the moduli spaces of curves, K3 surfaces, and modular forms is explored in Appendix B by A. Pixton.Comment: An incorrect example in Appendix A, pointed out to us by Dominic Joyce, has been replaced by a reference to a new paper arXiv:1204.3958 containing a corrected exampl

Sheaf counting on local K3 surfaces

There are two natural ways to count stable pairs or Joyce–Song pairs on X=K3×C; one via weighted Euler characteristic and the other by virtual localisation of the reduced virtual class. Since X is noncompact these need not be the same. We show their generating series are related by an exponential. As applications we prove two conjectures of Toda, and a conjecture of Tanaka–Thomas defining Vafa–Witten invariants in the semistable case

Quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points on A_n-resolutions

We determine the two-point invariants of the equivariant quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points of surface resolutions associated to type A_n singularities. The operators encoding these invariants are expressed in terms of the action of the affine Lie algebra \hat{gl}(n+1) on its basic representation. Assuming a certain nondegeneracy conjecture, these operators determine the full structure of the quantum cohomology ring. A relationship is proven between the quantum cohomology and Gromov-Witten/Donaldson-Thomas theories of A_n x P^1. We close with a discussion of the monodromy properties of the associated quantum differential equation and a generalization to singularities of type D and E.Comment: 37 pages, 2 figures; typos are correcte