A class of theories that attempt to explain all existing particles (including force carriers) as vibrational modes of extended objects, such as the 1-dimensional fundamental string.
11
votes
0answers
202 views
p-Adic String Theory and the String-orientation of Topological Modular Forms (tmf)
I am going to ask a question, at the end below, on whether anyone has tried to make more explicit what should be, it seems to me, a close relation between p-adic string theory and the refinement of ...
5
votes
1answer
251 views
What are some geometric / physical / probabilistic interpretations of the Riemann zeta function at integer arguments n ≤ 1?
Introduction: This is slightly edited and generalised version of a question I asked on the Physics Stack Exchange website. This question has a twin brother asked here on MO, only now we consider ...
16
votes
3answers
255 views
Interpreting the CS/WZW correspondence
It is understood that there is a correspondence between the 3d Chern-Simons topological quantum field theory (TQFT) and the 2d Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal quantum field theory (CQFT). A good summary ...
1
vote
0answers
80 views
How can the interersection number of $2$ $D6$ branes wrapping around a CY manifold be derived?
For two intersecting $D6$ branes $a$ and $b$ wrapped around a $6$ dimensional torus $T^6 = T^2 \times T^2 \times T^2$ specified by
$$
\textrm{D6-brane a:}\, (l_1^a,l_2^a,l_3^a)
$$
$$
...
3
votes
0answers
98 views
Physical relevance of either fundamental identity generalizing Jacobi [closed]
There are two fundamental identities for n-ary generalizations of the Jacobi identity.
One fundamental identity is right for Nambu mechanics and such, the other for L_\infty algebras as in CSFT.
Which ...
7
votes
2answers
245 views
What is the definition of picture changing operation?
What is the definition of picture changing operation?
What is a standard reference where it is defined - not just used?
3
votes
0answers
96 views
Where is there a treatment of double field theory other than in local coordinates?
The n-lab seems to lack a treatment of double field theory. Where is there a treatment other than in local coordinates? Or at least one which identifies the coordinates as local coordinates for a ...
1
vote
0answers
77 views
H-flux by any other name
There are more than a few papers referring to H-flux and/or H-twist etc.
Is there anywhere a survey relating these variants?
3
votes
1answer
249 views
The Fuchsian monodromy problem
I want to understand the argument being made from equation 6.1 to 6.5 in this paper between pages 27-28
6.2, 6.4 and 6.5 are completely out-of-the-blue to me and I have no clue as to from where they ...
3
votes
1answer
151 views
Does fixing the reparameterization invariance of the string action correspond to some kind of orbifolding?
Does fixing the reparameterization invariance of the string action, for example by choosing the light-cone gauge
$$
X^{+} = \beta\alpha' p^{+}\tau
$$
$$
p^{+} = \frac{2\pi}{\beta} P^{\tau +}
$$
...
5
votes
0answers
247 views
Why does closed string theory have only one dilaton field instead of $22$?
Looking at $5D$ Kaluza-Klein theory, the Kaluza-Klein metric is given by
$$
g_{mn} = \left(
\begin{array}{cc}
g_{\mu\nu} & g_{\mu 5} \\
g_{5\nu} & g_{55} \\
\end{array}
\right)
$$
...
7
votes
0answers
182 views
The space-time dimension of the N-superstring theory?
Let $\mathfrak{W}$ be the Lie algebra generated by $d_{n} = ie^{in\theta}\frac{d}{d\theta}$ and $\mathfrak{Vir} = \mathfrak{W} \oplus C \mathbb{C}$ its central extension:
$$
...
18
votes
1answer
680 views
Has the conformally field theoretic metric on a Calabi-Yau variety been proved to exist?
Let $(X,g)$ be a compact Kähler manifold. Physics allows us to consider a supersymmetric
sigma model with target $(X,g)$, which is a N=2 two-dimensional field theory.
From the two-dimensional point ...
5
votes
1answer
306 views
Proof of the general expression for anomaly in a CFT and its partition function
I think the statement is that for any dimensional CFT the following is true,
$$\langle T^{\mu}_\mu \rangle = \sum B_n I_n - 2(-1)^{d/2}AE_d,$$
where $E_d$ is the `"Euler density" and $I_n$ are ...
8
votes
6answers
687 views
What is a branched Riemann surface with cuts?
Edit: Let me restate the main claim being made in these two papers,
Consider the "branched" Riemann surface which has "n" sheets stuck along the intervals, $[z_i, z_{i+1}]$ for $i=1,..,2N$ then it ...
22
votes
6answers
4k views
Explanations for mathematicians, about the falsifiability (or not) of string theory [closed]
Like many other mathematicians, I think string theory very attractive. This theory has wonderfully influenced many new topics in mathematics (I myself have worked on one of them), but it's not the ...
4
votes
2answers
359 views
CFTs corresponding to affine Lie algebras
I want to know how one can write down a CFT such that its conserved currents will satisfy some chosen (affine) Lie algebra $G$.
On the few pages leading up to page 192 in here one can see see the ...
17
votes
0answers
356 views
On Determinants of Laplacians on Riemann Surfaces
History of the Formula: In their famous paper "On Determinants of Laplacians on Riemann Surfaces" (1986), D'Hoker and Phong computed the determinant of the Laplacian $\Delta_n^+$ on the space $T^n$ of ...
31
votes
7answers
3k views
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Physics in Mathematics. Why ? What/how to catch?
Starting from 80-ies the ideas either coming from physics, or by physicists themselves (e.g. Witten) are shaping many directions in mathematics. It is tempting to paraphrase E. Wigner, saying about ...
5
votes
0answers
166 views
Seiberg-Witten curve for product SU(2)^N gauge theories
In equation 2.10 of this article, the author gives the Seiberg-Witten curve for a $U(N)$ gauge theory with $L<2N$ massive flavours with masses given by $m_i$ as:
$y^{2}=\left\langle ...
1
vote
0answers
97 views
About the massless supermultiplets in $2+1$ dimensional supersymmetry [closed]
I thought of cross-linking here this question that I had asked on physicsstackexchange.
It would be a great help if someone can answer that.
15
votes
2answers
875 views
Are Donaldson-Thomas invariants “A-model” or “B-model” ?
Donaldson-Thomas invariants are the (virtual) Euler characteristics of moduli spaces of elements of the derived category of coherent sheaves (with some fixed Chern class, satisfying some stability ...
22
votes
7answers
4k views
Why does bosonic string theory require 26 spacetime dimensions?
I do not think it is possible really believe or experimentally check (now), but all modern physical doctrines suggest that out world is NOT 4-dimensional, but higher.
The least sophisticated ...
1
vote
3answers
378 views
Computing chern classes for products of varieties
I'm currently facing the problem of computing chern classes for Varieties. More precisely the product of such varieties.
Let $C_i$ be a variety in $\mathbb{CP}^2$ given by the Weierstraß $\wp$-map.
I ...
7
votes
1answer
464 views
what is the stringy Kähler moduli space?
I saw the stringy moduli space mentioned in a few papers but with little no explanation. I vaguely understand it is supposed to be the moduli space of complex structures on the mirror manifold.
Could ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Advice on doing physics under the umbrella of mathematics and the converse
Note: This is a question directly copied from Theoretical Physics SE primarily to get the advice of people indulged in mathematics.
In the current scenario of research in QFT and string theory (and ...
7
votes
0answers
427 views
Physicists Euler number conjecture
Physicist's Euler number conjecture says:
If $G \subset SL(n,\mathbb{C})$ is a finite group, $X=\mathbb{C}^n/G$ is the quotient space and $f:Y \rightarrow X$ a crepant resolution (always exists for ...
8
votes
1answer
409 views
Multiple Hodge integrals and integrability
It is known that a generating function of the linear Hodge integrals is a tau function of the KP hierarchy, namely a one-parameter deformation of the Kontsevich-Witten tau-function (see Kazarian). ...
8
votes
2answers
514 views
Elliptic genus for manifolds with boundary
Let M be a closed spin manifold of dimension $d$. One form of the elliptic genus of $M$ is
$$ F(q)=q^{-d/8} \hat A(M) {\rm ch} \otimes_{k=1/2,3/2,\cdots} \Lambda_{q^k}T \otimes_{\ell=1}^\infty ...
42
votes
3answers
2k views
What exactly is the relation between string theory and conformal field theory?
Maybe it would be helpful for me to summarize the little bit I
think know. A 2D CFT assigns a Hilbert space ${\cal H}$ to a circle and
an operator
$$A(X): {\cal H}^{\otimes n}\rightarrow {\cal ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
Donaldson-Thomas Invariants in Physics
First of all, I am sorry for there are a bunch of questions (though all related)and may not be well framed.
What are the DT invariants in physics. When one is computing DT invariants for a Calabi-Yau ...
24
votes
6answers
4k views
Book on mathematical “rigorous” String Theory?
I've been looking high and low for a mathematical Book on String Theory. The only Book I could find was "A Mathematical Introduction to String Theory" by Albeverio, Jost, Paycha and Scarlatti. I only ...
3
votes
1answer
601 views
vector multiplet/hypermultiplet moduli space of String Theory
What is vector multiplet and hypermultiplet moduli space associated to IIA/B string theory (or in general to a N = 2 Supersymmetric theory) ?
The vector multiplet moduli space is special Kahler while ...
22
votes
3answers
1k views
Why is a 2d TQFT formulated as a functor?
Usual mathematical formulation of a 2d (closed) TQFT is as a functor from the category of 2-dim cobordisms between 1-dim manifolds to the category of vector spaces (satisfying various properties.)
...
1
vote
0answers
253 views
genus one Gromov-Witten invariants of Calabi-Yau 3-folds
In
http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/hep-th/pdf/9302/9302103v1.pdf
physicists calculate (predict) genus one GW invariants of quintic (Table 1) and some other cases (Table 2).
Can any body explain to me ...
16
votes
3answers
976 views
What do whitehead towers have to do with physics?
First let me say something that I don't completely understand, since I do not know enough physics. If I say anything wrong, someone please tell me:
For the spinning particle, there is a sigma-model, ...
3
votes
1answer
290 views
Does $SO(32) \sim_T E_8 \times E_8$ relate to some group theoretical fact?
It is well known the existence of a T duality between the two heterotic string theories, $SO(32) \sim_T E_8 \times E_8$. Beyond the trivial point that both groups have the same dimension (496, which ...
2
votes
0answers
128 views
Outer automorphism for $U_q(\mathfrak{su}(2|2))$
It is known that Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{su}(2|2)$ (and only this one, not arbitrary $\mathfrak{su}(n|n)$) has the nontrivial central extension which forms an $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ triplet, let's call ...
-1
votes
1answer
554 views
monodromy defects and Chern-Simons
In the context of string theory I recently read "The formulation of Chern-Simons theory in terms of monodromy defects can be carried through all the dualities of the present paper, leading to ...
7
votes
0answers
645 views
triangulated/derived categories in Physics and algebraic geometry
Why do physicists care about the triangulated/derived categories?
I mean what are the problems we want to approach using the machinery of triangulated/derived categories. e.g. in homological mirror ...
27
votes
3answers
3k views
The influence of string theory on mathematics for philosophers.
I've agreed, perhaps unwisely, to give a talk to Philosophers about string theory.
I'd like to give the philosophers an overview of the status and influence of string theory in physics, which I feel ...
16
votes
6answers
2k views
String theory “computation” for math undergrad audience
I am giving a talk on String theory to a math undergraduate audience. I am looking for a nice and suprising mathematical computation, maybe just a surprising series expansion, which is motivated by ...
7
votes
0answers
510 views
Matrix integral identity
1) How to prove that $N\times N$ matrix integral over complex matrices $Z$
$$
\int d Z d Z^\dagger e^{-Tr Z Z^\dagger} \frac{x_1\det e^Z -x_2 \det ...
7
votes
1answer
480 views
Mirror symmetries for generalized geometries ?
For Calabi-Yau three-folds we have $\mathcal{mirror \ symmetry}$: a map that associates most Calabi-Yau three-folds $M$ another Calabi-Yau three-fold $W$ such that $ h^{1,1}(M) = h^{2,1}(W)$ and $ ...
14
votes
1answer
1k views
M24 moonshine for K3
There are recent papers suggesting that the elliptic genus of K3 exhibits moonshine for the Mathieu group $M_{24}$ (http://arXiv.org/pdf/1004.0956). Does anyone know of constructions of $M_{24}$ ...
2
votes
1answer
529 views
Are there non-supersymmetric and/or non-Calabi-Yau topological sigma models?
I am reading some aspects of Mirror Symmetry and in mirror symmetry the $N=2$ SCFT on a Calabi Yau Manifold can be divided into two sectors each of which is a topological sigma model, A-Model and ...
24
votes
3answers
2k views
What are D-branes, really?
In the past couple years, I've read many words pertaining to "D-branes" without feeling I have fully comprehended them. In broad terms, I think I get what they're about: They're supposed to serve as ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Generalized geometry
What role do generalized geometries (in terms of Dirac structures, for instance, symplectic, Poisson, complex, and generalized complex structures in the sense of Hitchin, Cavalcanti, and Gualtieri) ...
4
votes
0answers
192 views
q-deformation of the unitary group integral
There is a well-known orthogonality property of $U(N)$ group characters
$$
\int d U \chi_{\mu}(U)\chi_\lambda(U^\dagger V)=\delta_{\mu\lambda}\frac{\chi_\mu(V)}{\dim_\mu}
$$
where the integral is ...
4
votes
1answer
432 views
Gromov-Witten and integrability 2.
This is a followup of my previous question Gromov-Witten and integrability. As I have learned from the answer (but guessed before), GW potentials of the point and $P^1$ (with different modifications) ...
