Related papers: Topological Strings from WZW Models

Little string theories (LSTs) are UV complete non-local 6D theories decoupled from gravity in which there is an intrinsic string scale. In this paper we present a systematic approach to the construction of supersymmetric LSTs via the…

We start by giving a brief introduction to string theory with emphasis on the example of the bosonic string. In order to fully appreciate string theory it is necessary to study the dynamics of the surface that the string traces out when…

Following suggestions of Nekrasov and Siegel, a non-minimal set of fields are added to the pure spinor formalism for the superstring. Twisted $\hat c$=3 N=2 generators are then constructed where the pure spinor BRST operator is the…

A careful treatment of closed string BRST cohomology shows that there are more discrete states and associated symmetries in $D=2$ string theory than has been recognized hitherto. The full structure, at the $SU(2)$ radius, has a natural…

Contrary to the standard model that does not admit topologically nontrivial solitons, two Higgs doublet models admit topologically stable vortex strings and domain walls. We numerically confirm the existence of a topological $Z$-string…

We consider conformal non-Abelian Toda theories obtained by hamiltonian reduction from Wess-Zumino-Witten models based on general real Lie groups. We study in detail the possible choices of reality conditions which can be imposed on the WZW…

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…

We consider real forms of Lie algebras and embeddings of sl(2) which are consistent with the construction of integrable models via Hamiltonian reduction. In other words: we examine possible non-standard reality conditions for non-abelian…

We prove that critical and subcritical N=2 string theory gives a realization of an N=2 superfield extension of the topological conformal algebra. The essential observation is the vanishing of the background charge.

It was previously shown that most of the superstrings can be obtained from those with higher world-sheet supersymmetry as spontaneously broken phases. In this paper, we show that the small $N=4$ superstring, which was left out of this…

We study a topological Landau-Ginzburg model with superpotential W(X)=X^{-1}. This is argued to be equivalent to c=1 string theory compactified at the self-dual radius. We compute the tree-level correlation function of N tachyons in this…

The observation of a scalar resonance at the LHC, compatible with perturbative electroweak symmetry breaking, reinforces the Standard Model parameterisation of all subatomic data. The logarithmic evolution of the SM gauge and matter…

We investigate the relation between N=(2,2) superconformal Lie group WZNW models and Lie supergroup WZNW models. The B-twist of an exactly marginal perturbation of the world-sheet superconformal sigma model is the supergroup model.…

We construct $N=2$ super-$W_{n+1}$ strings and obtain the complete physical spectrum, for arbitrary $n \ge 2$. We also derive more general realisations of the super-$W_{n+1}$ algebras in terms of $k$ commuting $N=2$ super energy-momentum…

We show that B-model topological strings on local Calabi-Yau threefolds are large N duals of matrix models, which in the planar limit naturally give rise to special geometry. These matrix models directly compute F-terms in an associated N=1…

In this paper the $c=1$ string theory is studied from the point of view of topological field theories. Calculations are done for arbitrary genus. A change in the prescription is proposed, which reproduces the results of the $1/x^2$ deformed…

Subregular W-algebras are an interesting and increasingly important class of quantum hamiltonian reductions of affine vertex algebras. Here, we show that the $\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1}$ subregular W-algebra can be realised in terms of the…

We study little string theory (LST) compactified on $\mathbf{T}^2$, partially breaking supersymmetry by a discrete T-duality twist acting on both the K\"ahler and the complex structure of the torus. This setup gives raise to 4d…

A $D>2$ topological string is presented by coupling the $2d$ topological gravity with the twisted version of the $N=2$ superconformal matter with $c=3k/(k-2)$. The latter is shown to admit $k+1$ chiral primary fields from the…

In this semi-technical review we discuss string theory (and all that goes by that name) as a framework for a quantum theory of gravity. This is a new paradigm in theoretical physics that goes beyond relativistic quantum field theory. We…