English

Heavenly metrics, BPS indices and twistors

High Energy Physics - Theory 2025-07-14 v2 Mathematical Physics Algebraic Geometry math.MP Number Theory

Abstract

Recently T. Bridgeland defined a complex hyperk\"ahler metric on the tangent bundle over the space of stability conditions of a triangulated category, based on a Riemann-Hilbert problem determined by the Donaldson-Thomas invariants. This metric is encoded in a function W(z,θ)W(z,\theta) satisfying a heavenly equation, or a potential F(z,θ)F(z,\theta) satisfying an isomonodromy equation. After recasting the RH problem into a system of TBA-type equations, we obtain integral expressions for both WW and FF in terms of solutions of that system. These expressions are recognized as conformal limits of the `instanton generating potential' and `contact potential' appearing in studies of D-instantons and BPS black holes. By solving the TBA equations iteratively, we reproduce Joyce's original construction of FF as a formal series in the rational DT invariants. Furthermore, we produce similar solutions to deformed versions of the heavenly and isomonodromy equations involving a non-commutative star-product. In the case of a finite uncoupled BPS structure, we rederive the results previously obtained by Bridgeland and obtain the so-called τ\tau function for arbitrary values of the fiber coordinates θ\theta, in terms of a suitable two-variable generalization of Barnes' GG function.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2104.10540,
  title  = {Heavenly metrics, BPS indices and twistors},
  author = {Sergei Alexandrov and Boris Pioline},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2104.10540},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

21+16 pages; version accepted for publication in Letters in Mathematical Physics

R2 v1 2026-06-24T01:24:01.954Z