A Vertex Formalism for Local Ruled Surfaces

We develop a vertex formalism for topological string amplitudes on ruled surfaces with an arbitrary number of reducible fibers embedded in a Calabi-Yau threefold. Our construction is based on large N duality and localization with respect to a degenerate torus action. We also discuss potential generalizations of our formalism to a broader class of Calabi-Yau threefolds using the same underlying principles.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures; v2: minor changes; v3: explanations added, results unchange

Neveu-Schwarz Five-Branes And Matrix String Theory On K3

The Matrix theory description of Type IIA string theory on a compact K3 surface as the theory of Neveu-Schwarz five-branes on $\tilde{K3}\times S^1$ is analyzed. The full multiplet of space-time BPS states is identified in the five-brane world-volume as fluxes.Comment: harvmac, 12 pages, some changes in the T-duality on K3 sectio

Spectral Covers, Charged Matter and Bundle Cohomology

We consider four dimensional heterotic compactifications on smooth elliptic Calabi-Yau threefolds. Using spectral cover techniques, we study bundle cohomology groups corresponding to charged matter multiplets. The analysis shows that in generic situations, the resulting charged matter spectrum is stable under deformations of the vector bundle.Comment: 17 pages, harvmac; minor change