Related papers: On toric geometry, Spin(7) manifolds, and type II …

We review an approach for computing non-perturbative, exact superpotentials for Type II strings compactified on Calabi-Yau manifolds, with extra fluxes and D-branes on top. The method is based on an open string generalization of mirror…

This paper investigates the algebraic structure that exists on perturbative BPS-states in the superstring, compactified on the product of a circle and a Calabi-Yau fourfold. This structure was defined in a recent article by Harvey and…

Geometric transitions between Calabi-Yau manifolds have proven to be a powerful tool in exploring the intricate and interconnected vacuum structure of string compactifications. However, their role in N=1, 4-dimensional string…

Motivated by the description of $\mathcal{N}=1$ M-theory compactifications to four-dimensions given by Exceptional Generalized Geometry, we propose a way to geometrize the M-theory fluxes by appropriately relating the compactification space…

This thesis contributes with a number of topics to the subject of string compactifications. In the first half of the work, I discuss the Hodge plot of Calabi-Yau threefolds realised as hypersurfaces in toric varieties. The intricate…

We consider topology changing transitions for M-theory compactifications on Calabi-Yau fourfolds with background G-flux. The local geometry of the transition is generically a genus g curve of conifold singularities, which engineers a 3d…

We continue our study of compactifications of F-theory on Calabi--Yau threefolds. We gain more insight into F-theory duals of heterotic strings and provide a recipe for building F-theory duals for arbitrary heterotic compactifications on…

Flux compactification of IIB string theory associates special points in Calabi-Yau moduli space to choices of (pairs of) integral three-form fluxes. In this paper, we propose that supersymmetric flux vacua are modular. That is, to a…

We initiate the study of Brane Gas Cosmology (BGC) on manifolds with non-trivial holonomy. Such compactifications are required within the context of superstring theory in order to make connections with realistic particle physics. We study…

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 study constrained generalized Killing spinors over the metric cone and cylinder of a (pseudo-)Riemannian manifold, developing a toolkit which can be used to investigate certain problems arising in supersymmetric flux compactifications of…

In this work we present a new approach to constructing Calabi-Yau orbifold models required for compactification in superstring theory. We use the connection of CY orbifolds with the class of exactly solvable N=2 SCFT models to explicitly…

In this thesis we study string compactifications on manifolds equipped with a $G$-structure, placing a special emphasis on the interplay between geometry and physics. We follow two complementary approaches. In the first part of the thesis…

We study type IIB supergravity solutions with four supersymmetries that interpolate between two types widely considered in the literature: the dual of Becker and Becker's compactifications of M-theory to 3 dimensions and the dual of…

We continue the investigation into non-maximally symmetric compactifications of the heterotic string. In particular, we consider compactifications where the internal space is allowed to depend on two or more external directions. For…

We study $\mathrm{Spin}(7)$-manifolds with an effective multi-Hamiltonian action of a four-torus. On an open dense set, we provide a Gibbons-Hawking type ansatz that describes such geometries in terms of a symmetric $4\times4$-matrix of…

We briefly review attempts to construct string theories that yield the standard model, concentrating on models with a geometric interpretation. Calabi-Yau compactifications are discussed in the context of both the weakly coupled heterotic…

We use the combined action of Z_2-chiral reflections (T-dualities) and shifts to build N=1,2 supersymmetric four-dimensional string compactifications with few moduli. In particular, we consider Z_2^4 asymmetric orbifolds of Type IIB on the…

We study the moduli space of SU(3) structure manifolds X that form the internal compact spaces in four-dimensional N=1/2 domain wall solutions of heterotic supergravity with flux. Together with the direction perpendicular to the…

We consider Type II string theories on ${\bf T^n}/{{\bf Z_2}^m}$ Joyce orbifolds. This class contains orbifolds which can be desingularised to give manifolds of $G_2$ $({\bf n}$$=$$7)$ and $Spin(7)$ holonomy $({\bf n}$$=$$8)$. In the $G_2$…