Related papers: BKM Lie superalgebra for the Z_5 orbifolded CHL st…

We develop semistrict higher gauge theory from first principles. In particular, we describe the differential Deligne cohomology underlying semistrict principal 2-bundles with connective structures. Principal 2-bundles are obtained in terms…

We discuss geometric aspects of orbifold conformal field theories in the moduli space of N=(4,4) superconformal field theories with central charge c=6. Part of this note consists of a summary of our earlier results on the location of these…

We present the first example of a grand unified theory (GUT) with a modular symmetry interpreted as a family symmetry. The theory is based on supersymmetric $SU(5)$ in 6d, where the two extra dimensions are compactified on a…

We describe in detail the solution of type IIB superstring theory in the maximally supersymmetric plane-wave background with constant null Ramond-Ramond 5-form field strength. The corresponding light-cone Green-Schwarz action found in…

${\cal N} =4$ super Yang-Mills theory admits \cite{Beem:2013sza} a protected subsector isomorphic to a two-dimensional chiral algebra, obtained by passing to the cohomology of a certain supercharge. In the large $N$ limit, we expect this…

We examine the question how string theory achieves a sum over bulk geometries with fixed asymptotic boundary conditions. We discuss this problem with the help of the tensionless string on $\mathcal{M}_3 \times \mathrm{S}^3 \times…

We introduce the notion of Burch submodules and weakly $\mathfrak m$-full submodules of modules over local rings and study their properties. One of our main results shows that Burch submodules satisfy 2-Tor rigid and test property. We also…

We study twisted M-theory in a general conifold background, and describe it in terms of a 5d non-commutative Chern-Simons-matter theory, which is equivalent to 5d non-commutative Chern-Simons theory for a supergroup. In an equivalent…

Field theories on anti-de Sitter (AdS) space can be studied by realizing them as low-energy limits of AdS vacua of string/M theory. In an appropriate limit, the field theories decouple from the rest of string/M theory. Since these vacua are…

We analyze a space-time algebra of BPS states that emerges in the infinite distance limit in the moduli space of the nine-dimensional CHL string as the theory decompactifies to the ten-dimensional $\text{E}_8 \times \text{E}_8$ heterotic…

We study a Lie algebra of formal vector fields $W_n$ with its application to the perturbative deformed holomorphic symplectic structure in the A-model, and a Calabi-Yau manifold with boundaries in the B-model. We show that equivalent…

Integrability occupies an increasingly important role in direct tests of the AdS/CFT correspondence. Integrable structures have appeared in both planar N=4 super Yang-Mills theory and type IIB superstring theory on AdS_5 x S^5. A…

We study the stable hyperelliptic locus, i.e. the closure, in the Deligne- Mumford moduli space of stable curves, of the locus of smooth hyperelliptic curves. Working on a suitable blowup of the relative Hilbert scheme (of degree 2)…

We analyze the stability of the moduli at the quantum level in an open-string model realizing the $\mathcal{N}=2\to \mathcal{N}=0$ spontaneous breaking of supersymmetry in four-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. In the region of moduli space…

We study supersymmetric gauge theories in five dimensions, using their relation to the K-theory of the moduli spaces of torsion free sheaves. In the spirit of the BPS/CFT correspondence the partition function and the expectation values of…

We study the spectrum of BPS states in N=4 supersymmetric U(N) Yang-Mills theory. This theory has been proposed to describe M-theory on T^3 in the discrete light-cone formalism. We find that the degeneracy of irreducible BPS bound states in…

We compute the exact vacuum expectation value of circular Wilson loops for Euclidean ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills with $G=SO(N),Sp(N)$, in the fundamental and spinor representations. These field theories are dual to type IIB string theory…

Intersecting stacks of supersymmetric fractional branes on the Z_6' orientifold may be used to construct the supersymmetric Standard Model. If $a,b$ are the stacks that generate the SU(3)_{colour} and SU(2)_L gauge particles, then, in order…

We describe a class of supersymmetric gauged linear sigma-model, whose target space is the infinite dimensional space of bundles on a Calabi-Yau 3- or 2-fold. This target space can be considered the configuration space of D-branes wrapped…

In this thesis we study compactifications of type II string theories and M-theory to four dimensions. We construct the four-dimensional N=2 supergravities that arise from compactifications of type IIA string theory and M-theory on manifolds…