Related papers: E-Strings and Four-Manifolds

We consider topologically twisted $\mathcal{N}=2$, $SU(2)$ gauge theory with a massive adjoint hypermultiplet on a smooth, compact four-manifold $X$. A consistent formulation requires coupling the theory to a ${\rm Spin}^c$ structure, which…

We define a four-dimensional spin-foam perturbation theory for the ${\rm BF}$-theory with a $B\wedge B$ potential term defined for a compact semi-simple Lie group $G$ on a compact orientable 4-manifold $M$. This is done by using the formal…

We find all the classical solutions (minimal surfaces) of open or closed strings in {\it any} two dimensional curved spacetime. As examples we consider the SL(2,R)/R two dimensional black hole, and any 4D black hole in the Schwarzschild…

The stabilization of moduli is one of the main problems in string theory. In this talk I will discuss some stringy mechanisms based on non-geometrical compactifications to obtain four dimensional models with a reduced number of moduli.

We describe the type IIA physical realization of the unoriented topological string introduced by Walcher, describe its M-theory lift, and show that it allows to compute the open and unoriented topological amplitude in terms of one-loop…

We show that the elliptic genus of the higher rank E-strings can be computed based solely on the genus 0 Gromov-Witten invariants of the corresponding elliptic geometry. To set up our computation, we study the structure of the topological…

This paper, in a sense, completes a series of three papers. In the previous two hep-th/0404013, hep-th/0410293, we have explored the possibility of refining the K-theory partition function in type II string theories using elliptic…

In this paper we describe the heterotic dual of the type IIB theory compactified to four dimensions on a toroidal orientifold in the presence of fluxes. The type IIB background is most easily described in terms of an M-theory…

In this note we consider smooth elliptic Calabi-Yau four-folds whose fiber ceases to be flat over compact Riemann surfaces of genus $g$ in the base. These non-flat fibers contribute Kaehler moduli to the four-fold but also add to the…

We study Z2-orbifolds of 11-dimensional M-theory on tori of various dimensions. The most interesting model (besides the known S1/Z2 case) corresponds to T5/Z2, for which we argue that the resulting six-dimensional theory is equivalent to…

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…

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…

We study new compactifications of the SO(32) heterotic string theory on compact complex non-Kahler manifolds. These manifolds have many interesting features like fewer moduli, torsional constraints, vanishing Euler character and vanishing…

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…

Non-supersymmetric Yang-Mill gauge theory in 4-dimension is shown to be dual to 4-dimensional non-supersymmetric string theory in a twisted AdS2(n)xT2 spacetime background. The partition function of a generic hadron is calculated to…

We define an invariant of graphs embedded in a three-manifold and a partition function for 2-complexes embedded in a triangulated four-manifold by specifying the values of variables in the Turaev-Viro and Crane-Yetter state sum models. In…

We develop a graphical calculus for monoidal categories equipped with twisted pivotal structures, which are a generalization of pivotal structures originating from the study of orientation structures in the context of the Cobordism…

Extending the seminal work of Bilal and Gervais, we construct a tachyon-free, modular invariant partition function for critical superstrings on four-dimensional Minkowski x two-dimensional black hole. This model may be thought of as an…

The symmetric orbifold of $\mathbb{T}^4$ is exactly dual to string theory on $\mathrm{AdS}_3\times \mathrm{S}^3 \times \mathbb{T}^4$ with minimal ($k=1$) NS-NS flux. In this paper we study the perturbation of the symmetric orbifold that is…

The $R^2 F^{2g-2}$ terms of Type IIA strings on Calabi-Yau 3-folds, which are given by the corresponding topological string amplitudes (a worldsheet instanton sum for all genera), are shown to have a simple M-theory interpretation. In…