Questions tagged [string-theory]
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.
6
votes
1answer
187 views
Navier-Stokes fluid dynamics, Einstein gravity and holography
There was some activity a while ago, like 10 years ago, string theoreists try to relate
the fluid dynamics, for example, governed by Navier-Stokes equation,
to
the Einstein gravity, and its ...
4
votes
0answers
58 views
GSO projection and $H^d(M, \mathbb{Z}_2)$
This follows up the comment which suggests that asking the later 2nd part of subquestion in "GSO (Gliozzi-Scherk-Olive) projection and its Mathematics" as a new different question
GSO (Gliozzi-Scherk-...
6
votes
0answers
151 views
GSO (Gliozzi-Scherk-Olive) projection and its Mathematics?
GSO (Gliozzi-Scherk-Olive) projection is an ingredient used in constructing a consistent model in superstring theory. The projection is a selection of a subset of possible vertex operators in the ...
11
votes
0answers
483 views
The Grassmannian Gr(2,8) and an E7 surprise
Are there any mathematical explanations for the following surprising facts?
$$\int_{Gr(2,8)} c_{\text{top}}(TX(-2)) = 6556 = \frac{1}{2} \deg(E_7/P(\alpha_7)) + 1,$$
and
$$\int_{Gr(2,6)} c_{\text{top}}...
6
votes
1answer
337 views
Manifolds with negative dimension – Definition, References
Does the concept of differential manifold with negative dimension make sense, in differential geometry?
If yes, how is it defined? Do you have any reference to recommend?
My problem was born in ...
4
votes
0answers
174 views
Open-closed string correspondence
Recently, after many years of searching for the right source, I came across the excellent lecture by Aspinwall, "Some Applications of Commutative Algebra
to String Theory", in Eisenbud's Festschrift. ...
3
votes
0answers
77 views
Moduli spaces for the TCFT map $HH(L) \to GW(X)$
Let $L$ be a Lagrangian submanifold of a closed symplectic manifold $X$. What I gather from Costello (see specifically $\S$2.5 there), is that one expects to have a morphism of closed TCFT's
$\tag{1}...
2
votes
0answers
163 views
Localization of the pushforward in equivariant cohomology
I am reading Nekrasov's paper and in page 2 he considers the $G \times T^2$ equivariant cohomology of the (compactified) moduli space $\tilde{M_k}$ of $U(N)$ instantons on $\mathbb{C}^2$. Here $G$ ...
3
votes
0answers
254 views
SYZ conjecture for varieties of general type or Fano
Let $X$ and $Y$ are Calabi-Yau varieties and mirror to each other. Then from HMS the Fukaya Floer category of Lagrangian intersections in $X$, is equivalent to bounded derived category of coherent ...
11
votes
1answer
636 views
Large Complex Structure Limit of Calabi-Yau family and uniqueness of limit
Let $\mathcal X$ be a smooth complex manifold of dimension $n+1$. We say $\mathcal X \to ∆$ is a large complex structure limit if and only if it’s maximal unipotent degeneration .
$T: H^n(\mathcal ...
6
votes
1answer
618 views
What is the relation between BRST quantization and gauge fixing quantization
To quantize gauge field, one usually use gauge-fixing procedure and then plus ghost field, my question is what the relation between BRST quantization and gauge fixing quantization is? Because it seems ...
7
votes
0answers
235 views
Integrality of the mirror map — non-GKZ examples? Counterexamples?
The mirror map in mirror symmetry is the change-of-variables between the natural coordinatizations on the two mirror sides and is typically a highly-complicated transcendental function (indeed, should ...
8
votes
1answer
603 views
How to construct the mirror partner of a blowup?
Question: Let's assume we have a pair $(X,\check{X})$ that are mirror dual to each other in the sense of Homological mirror symmetry (EDIT: this does not have to be CY n-folds, but can also be a Fano ...
6
votes
1answer
189 views
Incorporating Divisors (D4-branes) into Donaldson-Thomas Theory?
Let $X$ be a Calabi-Yau threefold. Ordinary Donaldson-Thomas theory is formulated as a virtual count of ideal sheaves $\mathcal{I}$ with discrete invariants $\text{ch}(\mathcal{I}) = (1,0, -\beta, -n)...
12
votes
1answer
494 views
Do all $\mathcal{N}=2$ Gauge Theories “Descend” from String Theory?
I asked this on PhysicsSE, but I think it also fits here as it's related to algebro-geometric connections to string and gauge theory.
I'm thinking about the beautiful story of "geometrical ...
2
votes
0answers
117 views
Question on Hori, Iqbal and Vafa's 'D-branes and Mirror Symmetry'
In the paper mentioned above, on page 19, the physics of A-type supersymmetry is related to a Lagrangian submanifold $\gamma$ of a Kaehler manifold $X$. In particular, the phrase "...holomorphic ...
4
votes
0answers
144 views
Seiberg-Witten theory in 4d is categorification of Seiberg-Witten in 3d
According to Gukov et al. in this 2017 paper Seiberg-Witten theory in 4d categorifies Seiberg-Witten theory in 3d. In what sense is this phrase mentioned? I know what the process of categorification ...
5
votes
0answers
292 views
Mathematics of $\mathcal{N}=2$ Gauge Theory and Instantons
Someone may suggest I post this on PhysicsSE, but I would prefer to not have a physicist answer in jargon I cannot understand. In fact, the reason I'm asking this is that I'm sort of drowning in the ...
7
votes
0answers
195 views
Relation between Donaldson invariants and GW invariants
What is known about the relation of Donaldson invariants on a complex surface $\Sigma$ and GW invariants (or equivalent) of local Calabi-Yau 3folds such as the canonical bundle of $\Sigma$? (if any of ...
6
votes
1answer
678 views
Does there exists a Fukaya category with no objects
... and really without even the possibility of having objects, so it's not a matter of just finding the "correct" flavour of Fukaya category to use.
Question: Does there exist interesting symplectic ...
11
votes
0answers
365 views
Open conjectures on the Fukaya category coming from physics
This is a slightly vague question (for which I apologize in advance): can somebody give examples to open conjectures on the behavior of the $Fuk(M,\omega)$ that come from string theory and can be ...
7
votes
1answer
468 views
Instanton Moduli Space on ALE Spaces
I asked this on MathStackExchange and was instructed it would be better here.
I've recently been learning about moduli spaces of instantons on $\mathbb{C}^{2}=\mathbb{R}^{4}$. From what I can gather,...
7
votes
0answers
251 views
Automorphism that the Fukaya category is “blind” to
Given a symplectic manifold $(M,\omega)$, there is a natural map
$$ Symp(M,\omega) \to Auteq(D^\pi Fuk(M,\omega))$$
which sends a symplectic automorphism to the $A_\infty$-functor it induces on the ...
5
votes
0answers
135 views
Virasoro constraints for parametrized GW invariants
Gromov-Witten invariants count isolated stable maps from Riemann surfaces to a fixed symplectic manifold $(M,\omega)$ subject to some incidence conditions. If we instead replace the target manifold ...
3
votes
0answers
86 views
Are there some known identities of elliptic polylogarithms similar to the Abel identity of polylogarithm?
Let
\begin{align}
Li_2(z) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{z^n}{n^2}.
\end{align}
This polylogarithm satisfies the following Abel identity:
\begin{align}
& Li_2(-x) + \log x \log y \\
& + Li_2(-...
4
votes
1answer
109 views
a matrix of Onsager-Kaufman vs Schwarz-Wu
In my earlier MO question, I was seeking for a proof for $\det A_{\infty}:=\det(I_{\infty}-M_{\infty}^2) =\sqrt[4]{1-x^2}$ where $M_n$ is the $n\times n$ matrix:
$$M_n
=\left[\frac{2i+1}{2(i+j+1)}\...
3
votes
2answers
194 views
Examples of $1$-Calabi-Yau triangulated categories
Can you give me examples of $1$-Calabi-Yau triangulated categories $D$ different from the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves on an elliptic curve? I would like moreover the numerical ...
10
votes
3answers
626 views
In Gromov-Witten theory, why is the string coupling constant weighted by $2g-2$?
Let $X$ be a Calabi-Yau threefold and let us fix a homology class $\beta\in H_2(X,\mathbb Z)$, just for simplicity. The generating series of Gromov-Witten invariants of $X$ in class $\beta$, $$\mathsf ...
7
votes
2answers
853 views
What does it mean to take the diagonal of the group $SU(2) \times SU(2) $?
I am reading Witten's paper on topological field theories, in specific the topological twist in page 359. In order to perform the twist he takes the diagonal subgroup of $K = SU(2)_{\text{Right}} \...
6
votes
0answers
557 views
Understanding Segal's definition of conformal field theory
I have a fundamental problem in understanding Segal's definition of a conformal field theory:
On the one hand his monoidal CFT-functor is a formalization of the fact that, physically, the integrand ...
4
votes
1answer
220 views
BCOV's holomorphic anomaly equation at genus one
BCOV in their famous paper (http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9309140) state the genus one holomorphic anomaly equation (on page 53) to be $$\partial_i \partial_{\bar{j}} F_{1} = \frac{1}{2}C_{ikl}\bar{C}^{...
5
votes
1answer
636 views
AKSZ sigma models for higher spin
The AKSZ framework constructs 2D sigma models in the BV formalism. Is there a generalization of the AKSZ approach to higher spin?
2
votes
2answers
457 views
space at the Planck scale [closed]
All models of space that I know from physics use real or complex manifolds. I was just wondering if it is still the case at the level of Planck scale. In string theory, physicists still use strings (...
3
votes
1answer
349 views
book about string theory a la Von Neumann [duplicate]
Can we summarize string theory (in its actual state) in some principles and fundamental equations like electromagnetism, general relativity, quantum mechanics and classical mechanics ?
I am looking ...
4
votes
1answer
176 views
reference for higher spin - not gravitational nor stringy
Other than the papers of Berends, Burgers and van Dam, are there any papers that study the general case of deforming a free field theory with higher spin fields to be interactive?
1
vote
1answer
206 views
Generalized spin connection and dreibein in higher spin gravity
I am studying higher spin gravity and I would like to know the mathematical and physical meaning of generalized spin connection and generalized dreibein that appear in this theory.
It is well known ...
2
votes
0answers
177 views
computation with Hilbert scheme of $n$ points on $\mathbb C^2$ [closed]
How can we show that
$$\sum_{n = 0}^\infty q^n \operatorname{char}_T S^n(\mathbb C[x,y])=
\prod_{p_1,p_2\geq 0}\frac{1}{1-t_1^{p_1}t_2^{p_2}q}$$
where $\operatorname{char}_T V$ denotes the character ...
4
votes
1answer
767 views
Mathematica package for supergravity and string theory
I am looking for a Mathematica package that can manipulate tensors for supergravity, string theory or M-theory. I am particularly looking for a package that can do spinor and Clifford algebra ...
10
votes
2answers
804 views
Free Boson Correlator $ \langle X(z)X(w) \rangle =- \ln |z - w| $
In physics papers, the massless free boson has a definition involving an action:
$$ S(X) = \frac{1}{8\pi} \int d\sigma^2\, \partial X \overline{\partial X}$$
The random functions $X(z)$ are ...
4
votes
1answer
490 views
SYZ mirror symmetry for K3 surfaces
My question is essentially related to this post, but let me formulate it again. Let $f:S \rightarrow \mathbb{P}^1$ be an elliptic fibration, then this can be a SLAG fibration with respect to another ...
12
votes
0answers
247 views
K-theoretic version of Artin-Mazur formal groups?
An Artin-Mazur formal group is, when it exists, the deformation theory of ordinary cohomology of some degree, on some algebraic variety. My question here is:
Has the generalization of the theory of ...
2
votes
1answer
265 views
Is the structure constant additive on connected components?
This is the reanimation of a question which already got an answer, that I did not fully understand. Coming back to it, after let it sit in a corner for some time, I keep not getting the point. I would ...
22
votes
0answers
830 views
Calabi-Yau cohomology?
My question here is going to be this -- but I'll give a bit of background to explain myself in a moment:
What has been done/what results are available on Calabi-Yau cohomology in degree $n \geq 3$ (...
13
votes
0answers
452 views
State of the art of BPS and Donaldson-Thomas invariants for toric Calabi-Yau threefolds
I am trying to understand what has been done with regards to computing BPS invariants and Donaldson-Thomas type invariants of Calabi-Yau threefolds. To make the question more focused, let's say that I ...
22
votes
0answers
934 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
713 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 ...
20
votes
3answers
2k 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
94 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
$$
\textrm{D6-brane a:}\, (l_1^a,l_2^a,l_3^a)
$$
$$
\textrm{D6-...
3
votes
0answers
143 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
552 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?
