Related papers: Stringy Instanton Counting and Topological Strings
The partition function of ABJM theory on the three-sphere has non-perturbative corrections due to membrane instantons in the M-theory dual. We show that the full series of membrane instanton corrections is completely determined by the…
We propose a string theory realization of three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ quiver gauge theories with special unitary gauge groups. This is most easily understood in type IIA string theory with D4-branes wrapped on holomorphic curves in…
We review exact results obtained for R^4 couplings in maximally supersymmetric type II string theories. These couplings offer a privileged scene to understand the rules of semiclassical calculus in string theory. Upon expansion in weak…
By analyzing qualitative aspects of NS5-brane instanton corrections, we determine the topology of the hypermultiplet moduli space M_H in Calabi-Yau compactifications of type II string theories at fixed value of the dilaton and of the…
We argue that one can see a specific class of "stringy" D-instantons in the underlying 4D gauge theory as the UV completion of an ordinary gauge instanton of a completely broken gauge group corresponding to the "empty" cycle the D-instanton…
We study a realization of accidental supersymmetry in type IIB string theory as a proof-of-principle of the mechanism and as a prototype of the strong sector present in resurgent supersymmetry, a warped UV-completion of natural…
It is well known that D-brane instantons can generate contributions to the effective superpotential of gauge theories living on D-branes which are perturbatively forbidden by global U(1) symmetries. We extend this idea to theories with…
Instanton and seven-brane solutions of type IIB supergravity carrying charges in the Ramond-Ramond sector are constructed. The singular seven-brane has a quantized \RR \ \lq magnetic' charge whereas its dual is the instanton, which is…
The Becker-Becker-Strominger formula, describing the string world-sheet instanton corrections to the four-fermion correlator in the Calabi-Yau compactified type-IIA superstrings, is calculated in the special case of the Calabi-Yau threefold…
We discuss two-dimensional sigma models on moduli spaces of instantons on K3 surfaces. These N=(4,4) superconformal field theories describe the near-horizon dynamics of the D1-D5-brane system and are dual to string theory on AdS_3. We…
In this letter, we investigate corrections to quartic gauge couplings in compactifications of string theories on a 2-torus without vector structure. First, we calculate the threshold corrections to F^4 terms in the heterotic CHL string.…
We propose a non-perturbative definition for refined topological strings. This can be used to compute the partition function of superconformal theories in 5 dimensions on squashed S^5 and the superconformal index of a large number of 6…
I investigate two discrete models of random geometries, namely simplicial quantum gravity and quantum string theory. In four-dimensional simplicial quantum gravity, I show that the addition of matter gauge fields to the model is capable of…
We review how D-brane instantons can generate open string couplings of stringy hierarchy in the superpotential which violate global abelian symmetries and are therefore perturbatively forbidden. We discuss the main ingredients of this…
In this note I review the construction of higher-dimensional instantons and heterotic NS5-branes on Ricci-flat cones from arXiv:1109.3552, as well as fractional strings from arXiv:1202.5046. The focus is on methods and interpretation. I…
The $1/N$ expansion of matrix models is asymptotic, and it requires non-perturbative corrections due to large $N$ instantons. Explicit expressions for large $N$ instanton amplitudes are known in the case of Hermitian matrix models with one…
In four dimensional string theories with N=4 and N=8 supersymmetries one can often define twisted index in a subspace of the moduli space which captures additional information on the partition function than the ones contained in the usual…
We consider freely acting orbifold compactifications, which interpolate in two possible decompactification limits between the supersymmetric type II string and the non-supersymmetric type 0 string. In particular we discuss how D-branes are…
We show that the moduli space of the $(2,0)$ and little-string theories compactified on $T^3$ with R-symmetry twists is equal to the moduli space of U(1) instantons on a non-commutative $T^4$. The moduli space of $U(q)$ instantons on a…
We study non-perturbative effects in supersymmetric U(N) gauge theories in eight dimensions realized by means of D(-1)/D7-brane systems with non-trivial world-volume fluxes turned on. Using an explicit string construction in terms of vertex…