Related papers: Twist Points as Branch Points for the QCD$_2$ Stri…
Starting from a theory on $S^3\times S^3$ and dimensionally reducing, we compute the full partition function, including flux and instanton contributions, for an $\mathcal{N}=1$ theory of vector multiplets and hypermultiplets on…
We consider the set of partition functions that result from the insertion of twist operators compatible with conformal invariance in a given 2D Conformal Field Theory (CFT). A consistency equation, which gives a classification of twists, is…
We observe that numerous symplectic resolutions can be expressed as intersections of twisted cotangent bundles. Additionally, their dual symplectic resolutions can be derived from intersections of dual twisted cotangent bundles. We…
We find the orbifold analog of the topological relation recently found by Freed and Witten which restricts the allowed D-brane configurations of Type II vacua with a topologically non-trivial flat $B$-field. The result relies in Douglas…
We evaluate the twisted partition function of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 1$ supersymmetric Yang--Mills theory reduced to a point for all simple gauge groups. The partition function is expressed as a sum of residues. The types of…
We resolve a puzzle in the theory of strings propagating on locally flat spacetimes with nontrivial Wilson lines for stringy Z_N gauge symmetries. We find that strings probing such backgrounds are described by consistent worldsheet CFTs.…
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.…
We study the structures of partition functions of the large $N$ generalized two-dimensional Yang-Mills theories ($gYM_2$) by recasting the higher Casimirs. We clarify the appropriate interpretations of them and try to extend the…
The near-collinear expansion of scattering amplitudes in maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling is governed by the dynamics of stings propagating on the five sphere. The pentagon transitions in the operator product…
We study mass-deformed N=2 gauge theories from various points of view. Their partition functions can be computed via three dual approaches: firstly, (p,q)-brane webs in type II string theory using Nekrasov's instanton calculus, secondly,…
We consider a D-brane probe in unstable string background associated with flux branes. The twist in spacetime metric reponsible for the supersymmetry breaking is shown to manifest itself in mixing of open Wilson lines with the phases of…
We construct modular invariant partition functions for strings propagating on non-compact manifolds of G_2 holonomy. Our amplitudes involve a pair of N=1 minimal models M_m, M_{m+2} (m=3,4,...) and are identified as describing strings on…
We investigate how the marginal deformations of N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory (analysed in particular by Leigh and Strassler) arise within B-model topological string theory on supertwistor space CP(3|4). This is achieved by turning…
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…
We consider an open string version of the topological twist previously proposed for sigma-models with G2 target spaces. We determine the cohomology of open strings states and relate these to geometric deformations of calibrated submanifolds…
A generic half-BPS surface defect of ${\mathcal N}=4$ supersymmetric U$(N)$ Yang-Mills theory is described by a partition of $N = n_1 + \ldots + n_M$ and a set of $4M$ continuous parameters. We show that such a defect can be realized by…
Superstrings and topological strings with supermanifolds as target space play a central role in the recent developments in string theory. Nevertheless the rules for higher-genus computations are still unclear or guessed in analogy with…
We revisit non-interacting string partition functions in Rindler space by summing over fields in the spectrum. In field theory, the total partition function splits in a natural way in a piece that does not contain surface terms and a piece…
In this work we analyse how scaling properties of Yang-Mills field theory manifest as self-similarity of truncated n-point functions by scale evolution. The presence of such structures, which actually behaves as fractals, allow for…
We show that the central charges that group theory allows in the (2,0) supersymmetry translations algebra arise from a string and a 3-brane by commuting two supercharges. We show that the net force between two such parallel strings…