Related papers: The topological string associated with a simple si…
Limits of a system of N Dn-branes in which the bulk and string degrees of freedom decouple to leave a `matter' theory are investigated and, for n>4, either give a free theory or require taking $N \to \infty$. The decoupled matter theory is…
These lectures present some topics of string phenomenology and contain two parts. In the first part, I review the possibility of lowering the string scale in the TeV region, that provides a theoretical framework for solving the mass…
We give a systematic derivation of the consistency conditions which constrain open-closed disk amplitudes of topological strings. They include the A-infinity relations (which generalize associativity of the boundary product of topological…
We discuss the non--perturbative formulation for $c \leq 1$ string theory. The field theory like formulation of topological and non--topological models is presented. The integral representation for arbitrary $(p,q)$ solutions is derived…
In view of recent progress in studying matrix model-2D gravity duality, we reexamine some features of $(2,2p+1)$ minimal string. After reviewing both sides of the proposed correspondence in this case, a previously unnoted identification…
In any dimension $D$, the Euclidean Einstein-Hilbert action, which describes gravity in the absence of matter, can be discretized over random discrete spaces obtained by gluing families of polytopes together in all possible ways. In the…
This is mainly a brief review of some key achievements in a `hot'' area of theoretical and mathematical physics. The principal aim is to outline the basic structures underlying {\em integrable} quantum field theory models with {\em…
A universal integrable hierarchy underlying topological Landau-Ginzburg models of D-tye is presented. Like the dispersionless Toda hierarchy, the new hierarchy has two distinct (``positive" and ``negative") set of flows. Special solutions…
We consider compactifications of type II string theory in which a d-dimensional torus is fibered over a base X. In string theory, the transition functions of this fibration need not be simply diffeomorphisms of T^d but can involve elements…
We embed the large N Chern-Simons/topological string duality in ordinary superstrings. This corresponds to a large $N$ duality between generalized gauge systems with N=1 supersymmetry in 4 dimensions and superstrings propagating on…
This thesis is broadly split into two parts. In the first part, simple state sum models for minimally coupled fermion and scalar fields are constructed on a $1$-manifold. The models are independent of the triangulation and give the same…
We consider the theory of pure gravity in 2+1 dimensions, with negative cosmological constant. The theory contains simple matter in the form of point particles; the later are classically described as lines of conical singularities. We…
To every partition $n=n_1+n_2+\cdots+n_s$ one can associate a vertex operator realization of the Lie algebras $a_{\infty}$ and $\hat{gl}_n$. Using this construction we make reductions of the $s$--component KP hierarchy, reductions which are…
I present a model of discrete gravity, which is formulated in terms of a topological gauge theory with defects. The theory has no local degrees of freedom and the gravitational field is trivial everywhere except at a number of colliding…
In four dimensional superstring models, the gauge group normally contains extra U(1)s that are broken at a high energy scale. We show that the presence of the extra U(1)s is crucial for the phenomenological viability of string scenarios,…
Topological string theory partition function gives rise to Gromov-Witten invariants, Donaldson-Thomas invariants and 5D BPS indices. Using the remodeling conjecture, which connects Topological Recursion with topological string theory for…
This review summarizes the recent developments in topological string theory from the author's perspective, mostly focused on aspects of research in which the author is involved. After a brief overview of the theory, we discuss two aspects…
We study the phenomenological implications of effective supergravities based on string vacua with spontaneously broken N=1 supersymmetry by dilaton and moduli $F$-terms. We further require Minimal String Unification, namely that large…
In the weak-coupling limit, kappa_0 going to infinity, the partition function of simplicial quantum gravity is dominated by an ensemble of triangulations with the ratio N_0/N_D close to the upper kinematic limit. For a combinatorial…
These are notes of a series of lectures on mirror symmetry and topological string theory given at the Mathematical Sciences Center at Tsinghua University. The N=2 superconformal algebra, its deformations and its chiral ring are reviewed. A…