Related papers: Beyond Algebraic Superstring Compactification: Par…
We study the geometric engineering of supersymmetric quantum field theories (QFT), with non simply laced gauge groups, obtained from superstring and F-theory compactifications on local Calabi-Yau manifolds. First we review the main lines of…
We propose and give strong evidence for a duality relating Type II theories on Calabi-Yau spaces and heterotic strings on $K3 \times T^2$, both of which have $N=2$ spacetime supersymmetry. Entries in the dictionary relating the dual…
We revisit the backgrounds of type IIB on manifolds with $SU(4)$-structure and discuss two sets of solutions arising from internal geometries that are complex and symplectic respectively. Both can be realized in terms of generalized complex…
We study one class of linear sigma models and their T-dualized theories for noncompact Calabi-Yau manifolds. In the low energy limit, we find that this system has various massless effective theories with orbifolding symmetries. This…
There is a large number of different ways of constructing Calabi-Yau manifolds, as well as related non-geometric formulations, relevant in string compactifications. Showcasing this diversity, we discuss explicit deformation families of…
Given a six-dimensional symplectic manifold $(M, B)$, a nondegenerate, co-closed four-form $C$ introduces a dual symplectic structure $\widetilde{B} = *C $ independent of $B$ via the Hodge duality $*$. We show that the doubling of…
The special geometry of calibrated cycles, closely related to mirror symmetry among Calabi--Yau 3-folds, is itself a real form of a new subject, which we call slightly deformed algebraic geometry. On the other hand, both of these geometries…
These are notes based on lectures given at TASI99. We review the geometry of the moduli space of N=2 theories in four dimensions from the point of view of superstring compactification. The cases of a type IIA or type IIB string compactified…
Compactifications of type II theories on Calabi-Yau threefolds including electric and magnetic background fluxes are discussed. We derive the bosonic part of the four-dimensional low energy effective action and show that it is a…
Mirror Symmetry, Picard-Fuchs equations and instanton corrected Yukawa couplings are discussed within the framework of toric geometry. It allows to establish mirror symmetry of Calabi-Yau spaces for which the mirror manifold had been…
In the context of string dualities, fibration structures of Calabi-Yau manifolds play a prominent role. In particular, elliptic and K3 fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds are important for dualities between string compactifications with four flat…
It is argued that every Calabi-Yau manifold $X$ with a mirror $Y$ admits a family of supersymmetric toroidal 3-cycles. Moreover the moduli space of such cycles together with their flat connections is precisely the space $Y$. The mirror…
We analyze the U-duality group for the case of a type II superstring compactified to four dimensions on a K3 surface times a torus. The various limits of this theory are considered which have interpretations as type IIA and IIB…
We consider superstring compactifications where both the classical description, in terms of a Calabi-Yau manifold, and also the quantum theory is known in terms of a Landau-Ginzburg orbifold model. In particular, we study (smooth)…
We present the basic ideas of geometric engineering of the supersymmetric quantum field theories viewed as a low energy limit of type II strings and F-theory on singular Calabi Yau manifolds. We first give the main lines of toric geometry…
We consider orientifolds of Calabi-Yau 3-folds in the context of Type IIA and Type IIB superstrings. We show how mirror symmetry can be used to sum up worldsheet instanton contributions to the superpotential for Type IIA superstrings. The…
Two-dimensional hybrid superstring on singular Calabi-Yau manifolds is studied by the field redefinition of the NSR formalism. The compactification on singular Calabi-Yau fourfold is described by N=2 super-Liouville theory and N=2…
Active feedback between geometry and physics is woven throughout the study of Nature at its fundamental level, and is of key importance in string theory. Methods of complex algebraic geometry in particular have brought about an unrivaled…
Superstring theories are the most promising theories for unified description of all fundamental interactions including gravity. However, these theories are formulated consistently only in 10 spacetime dimensions. Therefore, to connect to…
This is an outline of work in progress concerning an algebro-geometric form of the Strominger-Yau-Zaslow conjecture. We introduce a limited type of degeneration of Calabi-Yau manifolds, which we call toric degenerations. For these, the…