Related papers: Resolving Singularities in (0,2) Models
In this thesis, we explore two approaches to string phenomenology. In the first half of the work, we investigate M-theory compactifications on spaces with co-dimension four, orbifold singularities. We construct M-theory on C^2/Z_N by…
We study Calabi-Yau 3-folds M_0 with a conical singularity x modelled on a Calabi-Yau cone V. We construct desingularizations of M_0, obtaining a 1-parameter family of compact, nonsingular Calabi-Yau 3-folds which has M_0 as the limit. The…
We study the linear sigma model subspace of the moduli space of (0,2) superconformal world-sheet theories obtained by deforming (2,2) theories based on Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces in reflexively plain toric varieties. We describe a set of…
We analyse with the algebraic, regularisation independent, cohomological B.R.S. methods, the renormalisability of torsionless N=2 supersymmetric non-linear $\si$ models built on compact K\"ahler spaces. Surprisingly enough with respect to…
We study the problem of smoothing Fano and Calabi-Yau varieties with isolated Du Bois lci singularities. For Fano varieties, we show that any such $Y$ admits a deformation to a Fano variety with only $1$-rational singularities, and if none…
Building on work of Du, Gao, and Yau, we give a characterization of smooth solutions, up to normalization, of the complex Plateau problem for strongly pseudoconvex Calabi--Yau CR manifolds of dimension $2n-1 \ge 5$ and in the hypersurface…
We revisit the study of $G_2$-structures with special torsion, and isolated singularities. Many of the known examples with conical singularities admit additional symmetries, and we describe circle-invariant $G_2$-structures in this context.…
We present a new class of dualities relating non-geometric Calabi-Yau compactifications of type II string theory to T-fold compactifications of the heterotic string, both preserving four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry. The…
F-theory compactified on singular, elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau five-folds gives rise to two-dimensional gauge theories preserving N=(0,2) supersymmetry. In this paper we initiate the study of such compactifications and determine the…
(0,2) gauged linear sigma models with torsion, corresponding to principal torus bundles over warped CY bases, provide a useful framework for getting exact statements about perturbative dualities in the presence of fluxes. In this context we…
U(1) gauge symmetries in F-theory are expected to manifest themselves as codimension three singularities of Calabi-Yau fourfolds. However, some of these are known to become massive at strong coupling via the St\"uckelberg mechanism. In this…
The special geometries of two recently discovered Calabi-Yau threefolds with $h^{11}=1$ are analyzed in detail. These correspond to the 'minimal three-generation' manifolds with $h^{21}=4$ and the `24-cell' threefolds with $h^{21}=1$. It…
The gauge theory on a set of D3-branes at a toric Calabi-Yau singularity can be encoded in a tiling of the 2-torus denoted dimer diagram (or brane tiling). We use these techniques to describe the effect on the gauge theory of geometric…
We present novel continuous supersymmetric transitions which take place among different chiral configurations of D3/D7 branes at singularities in the context of type IIB Calabi-Yau compactifications. We find that distinct local models which…
We investigate the relationship between supersymmetric gauge theories with moduli spaces and matrix models. Particular attention is given to situations where the moduli space gets quantum corrected. These corrections are controlled by…
After orientifold projection, the conifold singularity in hypermultiplet moduli space of Calabi-Yau compactifications cannot be avoided by geometric deformations. We study the non-perturbative fate of this singularity in a local model…
We study two aspects of the physics of heterotic Line Bundle Standard Models on smooth Calabi-Yau threefolds. First, we investigate to what degree modern moduli stabilization scenarios can affect the standard model spectrum in such…
We introduce a class of (0,2) superconformal field theories based on hybrid geometries, generalizing various known constructions. We develop techniques for the computation of the complete massless spectrum when the theory can be interpreted…
We systematically analyze a broad class of dual heterotic and F-theory models that give four-dimensional supergravity theories, and compare the geometric constraints on the two sides of the duality. Specifically, we give a complete…
We construct decomposed spectral covers for bundles on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds whose structure groups are S(U(1) x U(4)), S(U(2) x U(3)) and S(U(1) x U(1) x U(3)) in heterotic string compactifications. The decomposition…