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.
140
questions
8
votes
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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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votes
1
answer
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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)...
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votes
1
answer
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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 ...
- 1,701
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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
- 1,135
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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
- 651
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votes
0
answers
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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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votes
0
answers
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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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votes
1
answer
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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 ...
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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
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1
answer
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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,...
- 1,701
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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 ...
- 1,971
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votes
0
answers
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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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votes
1
answer
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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(-...
- 6,121
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votes
1
answer
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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:
$$M_n
=\left[\frac{2i+1}{2(i+j+1)}\...
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votes
2
answers
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views
Examples of $1$-Calabi-Yau triangulated categories
Can you give me examples of $1$-Calabi-Yau triangulated categories $D$ different from the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves on an elliptic curve? I would like moreover the numerical ...
- 31
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votes
3
answers
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In Gromov-Witten theory, why is the string coupling constant weighted by $2g-2$?
Let $X$ be a Calabi-Yau threefold and let us fix a homology class $\beta\in H_2(X,\mathbb Z)$, just for simplicity. The generating series of Gromov-Witten invariants of $X$ in class $\beta$, $$\mathsf ...
- 1,524
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votes
2
answers
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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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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
- 1,661
4
votes
1
answer
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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}^{...
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votes
1
answer
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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?
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votes
2
answers
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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 (...
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votes
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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 ...
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votes
1
answer
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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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vote
1
answer
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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 ...
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votes
0
answers
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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}$$
where $\operatorname{char}_T V$ denotes the character ...
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votes
1
answer
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Mathematica package for supergravity and string theory
I am looking for a Mathematica package that can manipulate tensors for supergravity, string theory or M-theory. I am particularly looking for a package that can do spinor and Clifford algebra ...
- 367
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votes
2
answers
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Free Boson Correlator $ \langle X(z)X(w) \rangle =- \ln |z - w| $
In physics papers, the massless free boson has a definition involving an action:
$$ S(X) = \frac{1}{8\pi} \int d\sigma^2\, \partial X \overline{\partial X}$$
The random functions $X(z)$ are ...
- 22.6k
6
votes
1
answer
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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 ...
- 61
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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
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2
votes
1
answer
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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 ...
25
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0
answers
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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$ (...
- 19.6k
14
votes
0
answers
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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 ...
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0
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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 ...
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votes
1
answer
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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 ...
- 4,575
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votes
3
answers
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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 ...
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vote
0
answers
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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-...
- 408
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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
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votes
3
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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?
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votes
0
answers
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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 ...
- 3,850
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vote
0
answers
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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?
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3
votes
1
answer
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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 ...
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votes
1
answer
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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
$$
X^{+} = \beta\alpha' p^{+}\tau
$$
$$
p^{+} = \frac{2\pi}{\beta} P^{\tau +}
$$
...
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votes
1
answer
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views
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
$$
g_{mn} = \left(
\begin{array}{cc}
g_{\mu\nu} & g_{\mu 5} \\
g_{5\nu} & g_{55} \\
\end{array}
\right)
$$
...
- 408
9
votes
0
answers
319
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:
$$
[L_m,L_n]=(m-n)L_{m+n}+\...
20
votes
1
answer
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Has the conformally field theoretic metric on a Calabi-Yau variety been proved to exist?
Let $(X,g)$ be a compact Kähler manifold. Physics allows us to consider a supersymmetric sigma model with target $(X,g)$, which is a N=2 two-dimensional field theory.
From the two-dimensional point ...
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votes
1
answer
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Proof of the general expression for anomaly in a CFT and its partition function
I think the statement is that for any dimensional CFT the following is true,
$$\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 ...
- 1,883
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votes
6
answers
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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 is ...
- 1,883
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votes
6
answers
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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
2
answers
800
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 ...
- 3,453
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votes
2
answers
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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 ...