Related papers: Discrete Torsion

We study some aspects of asymmetric orbifolds of tori, with the orbifold group being some $\mathbb{Z}_N$ subgroup of the T-duality group and, in particular, provide a concrete understanding of certain phase factors that may accompany the…

This paper describes a generalization of decomposition in orbifolds. In general terms, decomposition states that two-dimensional orbifolds and gauge theories whose gauge groups have trivially-acting subgroups decompose into disjoint unions…

We consider quotients of string and M-theory by discrete subgroups of the U-duality group. This results in what we call O-folds, which are generalisations of orbifolds and orientifolds, and generically involve non-geometric identifications…

We discuss D-brane dynamics in orbifold compactifications of type II superstring theory. We compute the interaction potential between two D-branes moving with constant velocities and give a field theory interpretation of it in the large…

We study D-branes on Calabi-Yau manifolds, carrying charges which are torsion elements of the K-theory. Interesting physics ensues when we follow these branes into nongeometrical phases of the compactification. On the level of K-theory, we…

We calculate the ring of differential operators on some singular affine varieties (intersecting stacks, a point on a singular curve or an orbifold). Our results support the proposed connection of the ring of differential operators with…

Fluxbrane-like backgrounds obtained from flat space by a sequence of T-dualities and shifts of polar coordinates (beta deformations) provide an interesting class of exactly solvable string theories. We compute the one-loop partition…

In a geometrical background, D-brane charge is classified by topological K-theory. The corresponding classification of D-brane charge in an arbitrary, nongeometrical, compactification is still a mystery. We study D-branes on…

This paper exposes the fundamental role that the Drinfel'd double $\dkg$ of the group ring of a finite group $G$ and its twists $\dbkg$, $\beta \in Z^3(G,\uk)$ as defined by Dijkgraaf--Pasquier--Roche play in stringy orbifold theories and…

In the presence of a D-brane a string theory develops a new subsector. We show that for curved D-branes the corresponding sector is a (partially twisted) topological field theory. We use this result to compute the degeneracy of 2-branes…

We combine our results on symmetric products and second quantization with our description of discrete torsion in order to explain the ring structure of the cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points on a K3 surface. This is achieved in…

The U(1) gauge dynamics on a D4-brane is revisited, with a two form, to construct an effective curvature theory in a second order formalism. We exploit the local degrees in a two form, and modify its dynamics in a gauge invariant way, to…

We discuss the ``fractional D-branes'' which arise in orbifold resolution. We argue that they arise as subsectors of the Coulomb branch of the quiver gauge theory used to describe both string theory D-brane and Matrix theory on an orbifold,…

The theories of strings and $D$-branes have motivated the development of non Abelian cohomology techniques in differential geometry, on the purpose to find a geometric interpretation of characteristic classes. The spaces studied here, like…

Z_NxZ_M orbifold models admit the introduction of a discrete torsion phase. We find that models with discrete torsion have an alternative description in terms of torsionless models. More specifically, discrete torsion can be 'gauged away'…

We use the operator formalism to derive the bosonic contribution to the twisted open string partition function in toroidal compactifications. This amplitude describes, for instance, the planar interaction between g+1 magnetized or…

Motivated by a M\"obius invariant subdivision scheme for polygons, we study a curvature notion for discrete curves where the cross-ratio plays an important role in all our key definitions. Using a particular M\"obius invariant…

We reconstruct the tachyon effective action for unstable D-branes in superstring theory by examining its behaviour near exactly marginal deformations, where the ambigous higher derivative terms can be eliminated. We then compare this action…

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of loop groupoid associated to a groupoid. After studying the general properties of the loop groupoid, we show how this notion provides a very natural geometric interpretation for the…

We investigate Z2 x Z2 orientifolds with group actions involving shifts. A complete classification of possible geometries is presented where also previous work by other authors is included in a unified framework from an intersecting D-brane…