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.
141 questions
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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:
$$
[L_m,L_n]=(m-n)L_{m+n}+\...
8
votes
1
answer
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Cartographic group and flat stringy connection
There's a literature about dessins d'enfants (including my previous question here), and one amazing thing about them is that absolute Galois group Gal Q acts on ...
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2
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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}} \...
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Virasoro constraints for the generating function of Hurwitz numbers.
Generating function of the simple Hurwitz numbers is known to be connected with Gromov-Witten potential of the point (Kontsevich $\tau$-function) (see e.g. Ian Goulden, David Jackson and Ravi Vakil). ...
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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). ...
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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 ...
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References for quivers and derived categories of coherent sheaves for a string theory student
I'm a student mostly from physics knowledge hoping to learn about the math involved the string theory paper Topological Quiver Matrix Models and Quantum Foam.
Context: The topological string theory ...
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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 e^{AZ^\dagger}}{\det(1-x_1e^Z)\det(1-x_2e^{AZ^\dagger}...
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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 ...
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1
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Why is the inertia stack of a smooth Deligne-Mumford stacks called inertia?
Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a smooth Deligne-Mumford stack. Then there is an associated stack $I\mathcal{X}$, called the inertia stack of $\mathcal{X}$.
Why is the inertia stack called "inertia"?
We can ...
- 1,159
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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 ...
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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)...
- 1,701
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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 $ h^{...
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Affine Kac-Moody algebra from quantum group exchange algebra
In `Hidden Quantum Groups Inside Kac-Moody Algebra', by Alekseev, Faddeev, and Semenov-Tian-Shansky, a relationship between quantum groups and affine Kac-Moody algebras is shown for the WZW model.
...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 $...
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Freeman Dyson's approach to string theory [closed]
Context:
In celebrating the centenary of Ramanujan's birth, Freeman Dyson presented the following career advice for talented young physicists [1]:
My dream is that I will live to see the day when our ...
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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) ...
- 1,343
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1
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Degree-3 curves on the Calabi–Yau quintic
Robbert Dijkgraaf said,1
concerning the simplest
Calabi–Yau space, the quintic:
"A classical result from the 19th century states that the number of lines — degree-one curves — is equal to 2,875. ...
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Why does closed string theory have only one dilaton field instead of $22$? [closed]
Looking at $5D$ Kaluza-Klein theory, the Kaluza-Klein metric is given by
$$
g_{mn} = \left(
\begin{array}{cc}
g_{\mu\nu} & g_{\mu 5} \\
g_{5\nu} & g_{55} \\
\end{array}
\right)
$$
...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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References for superhomology
This question concerns topological string theory.
It was known sice its outset, that the BRST-cohomology ("observables") of the weakly coupled topological string B-model on a Calabi-Yau ...
- 502
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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 ...
- 1,701
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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 ...
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339
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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 \mathrm{det}\...
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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 ...
5
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2
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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 ...
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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 the ...
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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:
$$M_n
=\left[\frac{2i+1}{2(i+j+1)}\...
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AKSZ sigma models for higher spin
The AKSZ framework constructs 2D sigma models in the BV formalism. Is there a generalization of the AKSZ approach to higher spin?
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Associating noncommutative geometries to 2D conformal field theories
I have recently been reading a bit about noncommutative geometry and string theory and it looked to be an open question (or at least this was open two decades ago) whether there are constructions ...
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Calabi-Yau structures on dg-categories
A (smooth) dg algebra is called (left) Calabi-Yau if (see for example here)
$$ A^! = A[-n]$$
Here we use the inverse dualizing complex $A^!=\mathbf{R}\operatorname{Hom}_{(A^e)^{op}}(A,A^e)$. In ...
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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 (...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Statistical physics of string theory
Is there any connection between statistical physics and string theory, or a statistical interpretation of string theory, perhaps? I mean, the way electromagnetic forces and thermodynamic laws are ...
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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(-...
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2
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Spectral Flow Invariance for Calabi-Yau Sigma Models
I am a mathematician who has become interested in some of the mathematics of string theory, of which I am largely ignorant, so please excuse any idiocies in what follows.
If $X$ is a Calabi-Yau $d$-...
user108998
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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}^{...
- 41
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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?
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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 ...
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334
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Axiomatic string theory?
There have been many proposal of a mathematical definition of Quantum Field Theory, for instance through Wightman or Osterwalder-Schrader axioms. Were there any efforts toward doing the same for ...
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What is known about the cohomology of the U-duality group?
$\newcommand{\Es}{E_{7(7)}}\newcommand{\Z}{\mathbb Z}$Let $\Es$ denote the split form of $E_7$, which is a real Lie
group. It can be characterized as the subgroup of $\mathrm{Sp}_{56}(\mathbb R)$ ...
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211
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Bridgeland stability for restricted Kahler moduli?
Let $X$ be a simply-connected, smooth, projective Calabi-Yau threefold. To my understanding, Bridgeland introduced stability conditions on triangulated categories to give a proper mathematical ...
- 1,701
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211
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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. ...
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