Related papers: Knot Invariants and M-Theory I: Hitchin Equations,…

We propose a top-down approach to non-invertible symmetries in 2D QFTs and their associated symmetry topological field theories. We focus on the gauge theory engineered on D1-branes probing a particular Calabi-Yau 4-fold singularity. We…

We continue our program initiated in [arXiv:0912.4261] to consider supersymmetric surface operators in a topologically-twisted N=2 pure SU(2) gauge theory, and apply them to the study of four-manifolds and related invariants. Elegant…

We construct a new family of knot concordance invariants $\theta^{(q)}(K)$, where $q$ is a prime number. Our invariants are obtained from the equivariant Seiberg-Witten-Floer cohomology, constructed by the author and Hekmati, applied to the…

Ng constructed an invariant of knots in ${\mathbb{R}}^3$, a combinatorial knot contact homology. Extending his study, we construct an invariant of surface-knots in ${\mathbb{R}}^4$ using diagrams in ${\mathbb{R}}^3$.

We comment on various aspects of topological gauge theories possessing N_{T}\geq 2 topological symmetry: (1) We show that the construction of Vafa-Witten and Dijkgraaf-Moore of `balanced' topological field theories is equivalent to an…

The Jones-Witten invariants can be generalized for non-singular smooth vector fields with invariant probability measure on 3-manifolds, giving rise to new invariants of dynamical systems [22]. After a short survey of cohomological field…

We use the M theory approach of Witten to investigate N=1 SU($N_c$) SQCD with $N_f$ flavors. We reproduce the field theoretical results and identify in M theory the gluino condensate and the eigenvalues of the meson matrix. This approach…

A conjecture is made as to how to quantize topological M theory. We study a Hamiltonian decomposition of Hitchin's 7-dimensional action and propose a formulation for it in terms of 13 first class constraints. The theory has 2 degrees of…

We describe rules for building 2d theories labeled by 4-manifolds. Using the proposed dictionary between building blocks of 4-manifolds and 2d N=(0,2) theories, we obtain a number of results, which include new 3d N=2 theories T[M_3]…

Phenomenological compactifications of M-theory involve 7-manifolds with G_2 holonomy and various singularities. Here we study local geometries with such singularities, by thinking of them as compactifications of 7d supersymmetric Yang-Mills…

The works of Donaldson and Mark make the structure of the Seiberg-Witten invariant of 3-manifolds clear. It corresponds to certain torsion type invariants counting flow lines and closed orbits of a gradient flow of a circle-valued Morse map…

By using the gluing formula of the Seiberg-Witten invariant, we compute the Yamabe invariant Y(X) of 4-manifolds X obtained by performing surgeries along points, circles or tori on compact Kaehler surfaces. For instance, if M is a compact…

Classical knot theory deals with {\em diagrams} and {\em invariants}. By means of horizontal {\em trisecants}, we construct a new theory of classical braids with invariants valued in {\em pictures}. These pictures are closely related to…

This article provides a review of the gauge-theoretic approach to Khovanov homology, framed in terms of a generalisation of Witten's original proposal. Concretely, the physical arguments underlying Witten's insights suggest that there is a…

5-branes of nontrivial topology are associated in the Diaconescu-Hanany-Witten-Witten (DHWW) approach with the Seiberg-Witten (SW) theory of low-energy effective actions. There are two different "pictures", related to the IIA and IIB phases…

Knots and links in 3-manifolds are studied by applying intersection invariants to singular concordances. The resulting link invariants generalize the Arf invariant, the mod 2 Sato-Levine invariants, and Milnor's triple linking numbers.…

We study N=2 four-dimensional flux vacua describing intrinsic non-perturbative systems of 3 and 7 branes in type IIB string theory. The solutions are described as compactifications of a G(ravity) theory on a Calabi Yau threefold which…

We consider string phenomenological models based on 11D Horava-Witten M-theory with 5 branes in the bulk. If the 5-branes cluster close to the distant orbifold plane (d_n\equiv 1-z_n\simeq 0.1) and if the topological charges of the physical…

Chern-Simons theories, which are topological quantum field theories, provide a field theoretic framework for the study of knots and links in three dimensions. These are rare examples of quantum field theories which can be exactly and…

Motivated by physical constructions of homological knot invariants, we study their analogs for closed 3-manifolds. We show that fivebrane compactifications provide a universal description of various old and new homological invariants of…