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In this note we present a brief overview of connections between Chern-Simons theory and topological strings. A prominent role in this link has been played by large N dualities and holography. We demystify this by explaining why the Kahler…
The method of topological vertex for topological string theory on toric Calabi-Yau 3-folds is reviewed. Implications of an explicit formula of partition functions in the "on-strip" case, typically the generalized conifolds, are considered.…
In these lecture notes for the Les Houches School on Quantum Geometry I give an introductory overview of non-perturbative aspects of topological string theory. After a short summary of the perturbative aspects, I first consider the…
We add to the mounting evidence that the topological B model's normalized holomorphic three-form has integral periods by demonstrating that otherwise the B2-brane partition function is ill-defined. The resulting Calabi-Yau manifolds are…
Let X be a Calabi-Yau 3-fold, T=D^b(coh(X)) the derived category of coherent sheaves on X, and Stab(T) the complex manifold of Bridgeland stability conditions Z on T. It is conjectured that one can define rational numbers J^a(Z) for Z in…
We investigate a Gepner-like superstring model described by a combination of multiple minimal models and an N=2 Liouville theory. This model is thought to be equivalent to the superstring theory on a singular noncompact Calabi-Yau manifold.…
We show that B-model topological strings on local Calabi-Yau threefolds are large N duals of matrix models, which in the planar limit naturally give rise to special geometry. These matrix models directly compute F-terms in an associated N=1…
The TS/ST correspondence relates the spectral theory of certain quantum mechanical operators, to topological strings on toric Calabi-Yau threefolds. So far the correspondence has been formulated for real values of Planck's constant. In this…
Open topological string partition function on compact Calabi-Yau threefolds satisfies the extended holomorphic anomaly equation. By direct integration, we solve these equations and obtain partition functions for first several genus and…
Recently, Nekrasov discovered a new "genus" for Hilbert schemes of points on $\mathbb{C}^4$. We conjecture a DT/PT correspondence for Nekrasov genera for toric Calabi-Yau 4-folds. We verify our conjecture in several cases using a vertex…
In some string theories, e.g. SO(32) heterotic string theory on Calabi-Yau manifolds, a massless field with a tree level potential can acquire a tachyonic mass at the one loop level, forcing us to quantize the theory around a new background…
We develop the real vertex formalism for the computation of the topological string partition function with D-branes and O-planes at the fixed point locus of an anti-holomorphic involution acting non-trivially on the toric diagram of any…
Recent results on duality between string theories and connectedness of their moduli spaces seem to go a long way toward establishing the uniqueness of an underlying theory. For the large class of Calabi-Yau 3-folds that can be embedded as…
We set up, purely in A-model terms, a novel formalism for the global solution of the open and closed topological A-model on toric Calabi-Yau threefolds. The starting point is to build on recent progress in the mathematical theory of open…
We obtain exact results in \alpha' for open and closed A-model topological string amplitudes on a large class of toric Calabi-Yau threefolds by using their correspondence with five dimensional gauge theories. The toric Calabi-Yau's that we…
We give an introductory review of topological strings and their application to various aspects of superstrings and supersymmetric gauge theories. This review includes developing the necessary mathematical background for topological strings,…
We show that the non-critical $c=1$ string at the self-dual radius is equivalent to topological strings based on the deformation of the conifold singularity of Calabi-Yau threefolds. The Penner sum giving the genus expansion of the free…
Topological strings on Calabi--Yau manifolds are known to undergo phase transitions at small distances. We study this issue in the case of perturbative topological strings on local Calabi--Yau threefolds given by a bundle over a two-sphere.…
Topological string theory partition function gives rise to Gromov-Witten invariants, Donaldson-Thomas invariants and 5D BPS indices. Using the remodeling conjecture, which connects Topological Recursion with topological string theory for…
While Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces in toric ambient spaces provide a huge number of examples, theoretical considerations as well as applications to string phenomenology often suggest a broader perspective. With even the question of finiteness…