Related papers: On Dimer Models and Closed String Theories

This thesis first gives a background and review of the article hep-th/0102038, where we substantiated a conjectured duality between two a priori unrelated gauge theories, N=2 quiver theory and N=2 Seiberg-Witten theory. These gauge theories…

We consider type IIB string theory on a seven dimensional orbifold with holonomy in G2. The motivation is to use D1-branes as probes of the geometry. The low energy theory on the D1-brane is a sigma-model with two real supercharges (N =…

We study closed N=2 strings on orbifolds of the form T^4/Z_2 and C^2/Z_2. We compute the torus partition function and prove its modular invariance. We analyse the BRST cohomology of the theory, construct the vertex operators, and compute…

We derive compact expressions for one-loop scattering amplitudes of four open-string vector bosons around supersymmetric configurations with intersecting or magnetized D-branes on toroidal orbifolds. We check the validity of our formulae…

In this dissertation, we study various aspects of type IIB string theory compactified on freely acting orbifolds. We focus particularly on asymmetric orbifolds, which are examples of non-geometric string compactifications and constitute an…

We study open and unoriented strings in a Topological Membrane (TM) theory through orbifolds of the bulk 3D space. This is achieved by gauging discrete symmetries of the theory. Open and unoriented strings can be obtained from all possible…

We discuss the relation between M theory and type II string theories. We show that, assuming ``natural'' interactions between membranes and fivebranes in M theory, the known interactions between strings and D-branes in type II string…

We study the spectrum of stable BPS and non-BPS D-branes in Z_2 x Z_2 orientifolds for all choices of discrete torsion between the orbifold and orientifold generators. We compute the torsion K-theory charges in these D=4, N=1 orientifold…

This article discusses model-building scenarios including anti-D3-/D7-branes, in which supersymmetry is broken spontaneously, despite having no scale at which sparticles appear and standard supersymmetry is restored. If the branes are…

This thesis studies meta- and exactly stable supersymmetry breaking mechanisms in heterotic and type IIB string theories and constructs an F-theory Grand Unified Theory model for neutrino physics in which neutrino mass is determined by the…

In this thesis we study string theory with D-branes and possibly orientifolds in curved or time-dependent spaces. Our study aims at understanding some aspects of curved and time-dependent spaces, notably because of their importance in…

We compare two applications of the gauge/gravity correspondence to a non conformal gauge theory, based respectively on the study of D-branes wrapped on supersymmetric cycles and of fractional D-branes on orbifolds. We study two brane…

We consider type IIB string theory on $\mathrm{AdS}_5\times S^5/\mathbb{Z}_{L}$ orbifold spaces with generic $L$. Recent localisation results in the dual 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ circular quiver gauge theories provide us with strong coupling…

After reviewing the general structure of supersymmetric intersecting brane world models, we discuss the issue of stringy gauge coupling unification for a natural class of MSSM-like models.

In string theory D-branes can be classified by the RR-charge they carry. In the simplest case the quantized RR-charge takes values in K-theory of the spacetime manifold. However, if the D-brane worldvolume is not spin^c or if there is a…

We consider bound states of D-branes wrapped around cycles with non-trivial fundamental groups of finite order. We find a new mechanism for binding D-branes by turning on flat discrete abelian and non-abelian gauge fields on their…

We formulate and solve a class of two-dimensional matrix gauge models describing ensembles of non-folding surfaces covering an oriented, discretized, two-dimensional manifold. We interpret the models as string theories characterized by a…

We consider an open string version of the topological twist previously proposed for sigma-models with G2 target spaces. We determine the cohomology of open strings states and relate these to geometric deformations of calibrated submanifolds…

We study global 1- and $(d-2)$-form symmetries for gauge theories based on disconnected gauge groups which include charge conjugation. For pure gauge theories, the 1-form symmetries are shown to be non-invertible. In addition, being the…

Recent scenarios of phenomenologically realistic string compactifications involve the existence of gauge sectors localized on D-branes at singular points of Calabi-Yau threefolds. The spectrum and interactions in these gauge sectors are…