Search

In this paper we propose a definition of torsion refined Gopakumar–Vafa (GV) invariants for Calabi–Yau threefolds with terminal nodal singularities that do not admit Kähler crepant resolutions. Physically, the refinement takes into account the charge of five-dimensional BPS states under a discrete gauge symmetry in M-theory. We propose a mathematical definition of the invariants in terms of the geometry of all non-Kähler crepant resolutions taken together. The invariants are encoded in the A-model topological string partition functions associated to non-commutative (nc) resolutions of the Calabi–Yau. Our main example will be a singular degeneration of the generic Calabi–Yau double cover of P 3 and leads to an enumerative interpretation of the topological string partition function of a hybrid Landau–Ginzburg model. Our results generalize a recent physical proposal made in the context of torus fibered Calabi–Yau manifolds by one of the authors and clarify the associated enumerative geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We generalize Coulomb-branch-based gauged linear sigma model (GLSM)–computations of quantum cohomology rings of Fano spaces. Typically such computations have focused on GLSMs without superpotential, for which the low energy limit of the GLSM is a pure Coulomb branch, and quantum cohomology is determined by the critical locus of a twisted one-loop effective superpotential. We extend these results to cases for which the low energy limit of the GLSM includes both Coulomb and Higgs branches, where the latter is a Landau-Ginzburg orbifold. We describe the state spaces and products of corresponding operators in detail, comparing a geometric phase description, where the operator product ring is quantum cohomology, to the description in terms of Coulomb and Higgs branch states. As a concrete test of our methods, we compare to existing mathematics results for quantum cohomology rings of hypersurfaces in projective spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we generalize previous work on decomposition in three-dimensional orbifolds by 2-groups realized as analogues of central extensions, to orbifolds by more general 2-groups. We describe the computation of such orbifolds in physics, state a version of the decomposition conjecture, and then compute in numerous examples, checking that decomposition works as advertised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of finite algorithms for constructing representation theoretic data from group multiplications in a finite group G have recently been shown to be related to amplitudes for combinatoric topological strings (G-CTST) based on Dijkgraaf-Witten theory of flat G-bundles on surfaces. We extend this result to projective representations of G using twisted Dijkgraaf-Witten theory. New algorithms for characters are described, based on handle creation operators and minimal multiplicative generating subspaces for the centers of group algebras and twisted group algebras. Such minimal generating subspaces are of interest in connection with information theoretic aspects of the AdS/CFT correspondence. For the untwisted case, we describe the integrality properties of certain character sums and character power sums which follow from these constructive G-CTST algorithms. These integer sums appear as residues of singularities in G-CTST generating functions. S-duality of the combinatoric topological strings motivates the definition of an inverse handle creation operator in the centers of group algebras and twisted group algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study three-dimensional orbifolds by 2-groups with a trivially-acting one-form symmetry group BK. These orbifolds have a global two-form symmetry, and so one expects that they decompose into (are equivalent to) a disjoint union of other three-dimensional theories, which we demonstrate. These theories can be interpreted as sigma models on 2-gerbes, whose formal structures reflect properties of the orbifold construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bagger–Witten line bundle is a line bundle over moduli spaces of two-dimensional SCFTs, related to the Hodge line bundle of holomorphic top-forms on Calabi–Yau manifolds. It has recently been a subject of a number of conjectures, but concrete examples have proven elusive. In this paper we propose a new, intrinsically geometric definition of the Bagger–Witten line bundle, whose restriction to the moduli spaces of complex structures of Calabi–Yau manifolds we explicitly compute in some concrete examples. We also conjecture a new criterion for UV completion of four-dimensional supergravity theories in terms of properties of the Bagger–Witten line bundle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a new set of modular-invariant phase factors for orbifolds with trivially-acting subgroups, analogous to discrete torsion and generalizing quantum symmetries. After describing their basic properties, we generalize decomposition to include orbifolds with these new phase factors, making a precise proposal for how such orbifolds are equivalent to disjoint unions of other orbifolds without trivially-acting subgroups or one-form symmetries, which we check in numerous examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe a systematic method to compute elliptic genera of (2,2) supersymmetric gauge theories in two dimensions with gauge group G / Γ (for G semisimple and simply-connected, Γ a subgroup of the center of G) with various discrete theta angles. We apply the technique to examples of pure gauge theories with low-rank gauge groups. Our results are consistent with expectations from decomposition of two-dimensional theories with finite global one-form symmetries and with computations of supersymmetry breaking for some discrete theta angles in pure gauge theories. Finally, we make predictions for the elliptic genera of all the other remaining pure gauge theories by applying decomposition and matching to known supersymmetry breaking patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a generalization of decomposition in orbifolds. In general terms, decomposition states that two-dimensional orbifolds and gauge theories whose gauge groups have trivially-acting subgroups decompose into disjoint unions of theories. However, decomposition can be, at least naively, broken in orbifolds if the orbifold has discrete torsion in the trivially-acting subgroup. (Formally, this breaks finite global one-form symmetries.) Nevertheless, even in such cases, one still sees rudiments of decomposition. In this paper, we generalize decomposition in orbifolds to include such examples of discrete torsion, which we check in numerous examples. Our analysis includes as special cases (and in one sense generalizes) quantum symmetries of abelian orbifolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note we study IR limits of pure two-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories with semisimple non-simply-connected gauge groups including SU(k)/ℤk, SO(2k)/ℤ2, Sp(2k)/ℤ2, E6/ℤ3, and E7/ℤ2 for various discrete theta angles, both directly in the gauge theory and also in nonabelian mirrors, extending a classification begun in previous work. We find in each case that there are supersymmetric vacua for precisely one value of the discrete theta angle, and no supersymmetric vacua for other values, hence supersymmetry is broken in the IR for most discrete theta angles. Furthermore, for the one distinguished value of the discrete theta angle for which supersymmetry is unbroken, the theory has as many twisted chiral multiplet degrees of freedom in the IR as the rank. We take this opportunity to further develop the technology of nonabelian mirrors to discuss how the mirror to a G gauge theory differs from the mirror to a G/K gauge theory for K a subgroup of the center of G. In particular, the discrete theta angles in these cases are considerably more intricate than those of the pure gauge theories studied in previous papers, so we discuss the realization of these more complex discrete theta angles in the mirror construction. We find that discrete theta angles, both in the original gauge theory and their mirrors, are intimately related to the description of centers of universal covering groups as quotients of weight lattices by root sublattices. We perform numerous consistency checks, comparing results against basic group-theoretic relations as well as with decomposition, which describes how two-dimensional theories with one-form symmetries (such as pure gauge theories with nontrivial centers) decompose into disjoint unions, in this case of pure gauge theories with quotiented gauge groups and discrete theta angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we explore nonabelian gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) for symplectic and orthogonal Grassmannians and flag manifolds, checking e.g. global symmetries, Witten indices, and Calabi-Yau conditions, following up a proposal in the math community. For symplectic Grassmannians, we check that Coulomb branch vacua of the GLSM are consistent with ordinary and equivariant quantum cohomology of the space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we give a gauged linear sigma model (GLSM) realization of pairs of homologically projective dual Calabi-Yaus that have recently been constructed in the mathematics literature. Many of the geometries can be realized mathematically in terms of joins. We discuss how joins can be described in terms of GLSMs and how the associated Calabi-Yaus arise as phases in the GLSMs. Due to strong-coupling phenomena in the GLSM, the geometries are realized via a mix of perturbative and non-perturbative effects. We apply two-dimensional gauge dualities to construct dual GLSMs. Geometries that are realized perturbatively in one GLSM, are realized non-perturbatively in the dual, and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we extend our previous work to construct (0 , 2) Toda-like mirrors to A/2-twisted theories on more general spaces, as part of a program of understanding (0,2) mirror symmetry. Specifically, we propose (0 , 2) mirrors to GLSMs on toric del Pezzo surfaces and Hirzebruch surfaces with deformations of the tangent bundle. We check the results by comparing correlation functions, global symmetries, as well as geometric blowdowns with the corresponding (0 , 2) Toda-like mirrors. We also briefly discuss Grassmannian manifolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study the quantum sheaf cohomology of Grassmannians with deformations of the tangent bundle. Quantum sheaf cohomology is a (0,2) deformation of the ordinary quantum cohomology ring, realized as the OPE ring in A/2-twisted theories. Quantum sheaf cohomology has previously been computed for abelian gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs); here, we study (0,2) deformations of nonabelian GLSMs, for which previous methods have been intractable. Combined with the classical result, the quantum ring structure is derived from the one-loop effective potential. We also utilize recent advances in supersymmetric localization to compute A/2 correlation functions and check the general result in examples. In this paper we focus on physics derivations and examples; in a companion paper, we will provide a mathematically rigorous derivation of the classical sheaf cohomology ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we explore basic aspects of nonabelian (0,2) GLSMs in two dimensions for unitary gauge groups, an arena that until recently has largely been unexplored. We begin by discussing general aspects of (0,2) theories, including checks of dynamical supersymmetry breaking, spectators and weak coupling limits, and also build some toy models of (0,2) theories for bundles on Grassmannians, which gives us an opportunity to relate physical anomalies and trace conditions to mathematical properties. We apply these ideas to study (0,2) theories on Pfaffians, applying recent perturbative constructions of Pfaffians of Jockers et al. . We discuss how existing dualities in (2,2) nonabelian gauge theories have a simple mathematical understanding, and make predictions for additional dualities in (2,2) and (0,2) gauge theories. Finally, we outline how duality works in open strings in unitary gauge theories, and also describe why, in general terms, we expect analogous dualities in (0,2) theories to be comparatively rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following recent work on GLSM localization, we work out curvature couplings for rigidly supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models with superpotential for general target spaces, describing both ordinary and twisted chiral superfields on round two-sphere world-sheets. We briefly discuss why, unlike four-dimensional theories, there are no constraints on Kahler forms in these theories. We also briefly discuss general issues in topological twists of such theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we discuss some examples of abelian gauged linear sigma models realizing twisted derived equivalences between non-birational spaces, and realizing geometries in novel fashions. Examples of gauged linear sigma models with non-birational Kähler phases are a relatively new phenomenon. Most of our examples involve gauged linear sigma models for complete intersections of quadric hypersurfaces, though we also discuss some more general cases and their interpretation. We also propose a more general understanding of the relationship between Kähler phases of gauged linear sigma models, namely that they are related by (and realize) Kuznetsov’s ‘homological projective duality.’ Along the way, we shall see how ‘noncommutative spaces’ (in Kontsevich’s sense) are realized physically in gauged linear sigma models, providing examples of new types of conformal field theories. Throughout, the physical realization of stacks plays a key role in interpreting physical structures appearing in GLSMs, and we find that stacks are implicitly much more common in GLSMs than previously realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we shall describe some correlation function computations in perturbative heterotic strings that, for example, in certain circumstances can lend themselves to a heterotic generalization of quantum cohomology calculations. Ordinary quantum chiral rings reflect worldsheet instanton corrections to correlation functions involving products of elements of Dolbeault cohomology groups on the target space. The heterotic generalization described here involves computing worldsheet instanton corrections to correlation functions defined by products of elements of sheaf cohomology groups. One must not only compactify moduli spaces of rational curves, but also extend a sheaf (determined by the gauge bundle) over the compactification, and linear sigma models provide natural mechanisms for doing both. Euler classes of obstruction bundles generalize to this language in an interesting way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we give gauged linear sigma model (GLSM) realizations of a number of geometries not previously presented in GLSMs. We begin by describing GLSM realizations of maps including Veronese and Segre embeddings, which can be applied to give GLSMs explicitly describing non-complete intersection constructions such as the intersection of one hypersurface with the image under some map of another. We also discuss GLSMs for intersections of Grassmannians and Pfaffians with one another, and with their images under various maps, which sometimes form exotic constructions of Calabi-Yaus, as well as GLSMs for other exotic Calabi-Yau constructions of Kanazawa. Much of this paper focuses on a specific set of examples of GLSMs for intersections of Grassmannians G(2, N ) with themselves after a linear rotation, including the Calabi-Yau case N = 5. One phase of the GLSM realizes an intersection of two Grassmannians, the other phase realizes an intersection of two Pfaffians. The GLSM has two nonabelian factors in its gauge group, and we consider dualities in those factors. In both the original GLSM and a double-dual, one geometric phase is realized perturbatively (as the critical locus of a superpotential), and the other via quantum effects. Dualizing on a single gauge group factor yields a model in which each geometry is realized through a simultaneous combination of perturbative and quantum effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]