We investigate generating functions for the integrals over world-sheet tori appearing in closed-string one-loop amplitudes of bosonic, heterotic and type-II theories. These closed-string integrals are shown to obey homogeneous and linear differential equations in the modular parameter of the torus. We spell out the first-order Cauchy-Riemann and second-order Laplace equations for the generating functions for any number of external states. The low-energy expansion of such torus integrals introduces infinite families of non-holomorphic modular forms known as modular graph forms. Our results generate homogeneous first- and second-order differential equations for arbitrary such modular graph forms and can be viewed as a step towards all-order low-energy expansions of closed-string integrals.
We investigate one-loop four-point scattering of non-abelian gauge bosons in heterotic string theory and identify new connections with the corresponding open-string amplitude. In the low-energy expansion of the heterotic-string amplitude, the integrals over torus punctures are systematically evaluated in terms of modular graph forms, certain non-holomorphic modular forms. For a specific torus integral, the modular graph forms in the low-energy expansion are related to the elliptic multiple zeta values from the analogous open-string integrations over cylinder boundaries. The detailed correspond…
The goal of these lectures is to present an informal but precise introduction to a body of concepts and methods of interest in number theory and string theory revolving around modular forms and their generalizations. Modular invariance lies at the heart of conformal field theory, string perturbation theory, Montonen-Olive duality, Seiberg-Witten theory, and S-duality in Type IIB superstring theory. Automorphic forms with respect to higher arithmetic groups as well as mock modular forms enter in toroidal string compactifications and the counting of black hole microstates. After introducing the …
We relate one-loop scattering amplitudes of massless open- and closed-string states at the level of their low-energy expansion. The modular graph functions resulting from integration over closed-string punctures are observed to follow from symmetrized open-string integrals through a tentative generalization of the single-valued projection known from genus zero.
It is known that the L-function of an elliptic curve defined over Q is given by the Mellin transform of a modular form of weight 2. Does that modular form have anything to do with string theory? In this article, we address a question along this line for elliptic curves that have complex multiplication defined over number fields. So long as we use diagonal rational N=(2,2) superconformal field theories for the string-theory realizations of the elliptic curves, the weight-2 modular form turns out to be the Boltzmann-weighted (q^{L_0-c/24}-weighted) sum of U(1) charges with F e^{ πi F} insertion …
The integral of an arbitrary two-loop modular graph function over the fundamental domain for $SL(2,Z)$ in the upper half plane is evaluated using recent results on the Poincaré series for these functions.
Elliptic modular graph forms (eMGFs) are non-holomorphic modular forms depending on a modular parameter $τ$ of a torus and marked points $z$ thereon. Traditionally, eMGFs are constructed from nested lattice sums over the discrete momenta on the worldsheet torus in closed-string genus-one amplitudes. In this work, we develop methods to translate the lattice-sum realization of eMGFs into iterated integrals over modular parameters $τ$ of the torus with particular focus on cases with one marked point. Such iterated-integral representations manifest algebraic and differential relations among eMGFs …
The low-energy expansion of closed-string scattering amplitudes at genus one introduces infinite families of non-holomorphic modular forms called modular graph forms. Their differential and number-theoretic properties motivated Brown's alternative construction of non-holomorphic modular forms in the recent mathematics literature from so-called equivariant iterated Eisenstein integrals. In this work, we provide the first validations beyond depth one of Brown's conjecture that equivariant iterated Eisenstein integrals contain modular graph forms. Apart from a variety of examples at depth two and…
I construct a complete 1-loop partition function of a bosonic closed string on orbifolds. Furthermore, I derive sufficient conditions for the modular invariance of the partition function.
We continue the analysis of modular invariant functions, subject to inhomogeneous Laplace eigenvalue equations, that were determined in terms of Poincaré series in a companion paper. The source term of the Laplace equation is a product of (derivatives of) two non-holomorphic Eisenstein series whence the modular invariants are assigned depth two. These modular invariant functions can sometimes be expressed in terms of single-valued iterated integrals of holomorphic Eisenstein series as they appear in generating series of modular graph forms. We show that the set of iterated integrals of Eisenst…
We introduce a type of graph integrals on elliptic curves from the heat kernel. We show that such graph integrals have modular properties under the modular group $SL(2, \Z)$, and prove the polynomial nature of the anti-holomorphic dependence.
Target space modular symmetries relevant to string loop threshold corrections are studied for $Z_N$ orbifold compactified string theories containing Wilson line background fields.
The concept and the construction of modular graph functions are generalized from genus-one to higher genus surfaces. The integrand of the four-graviton superstring amplitude at genus-two provides a generating function for a special class of such functions. A general method is developed for analyzing the behavior of modular graph functions under non-separating degenerations in terms of a natural real parameter $t$. For arbitrary genus, the Arakelov Green function and the Kawazumi-Zhang invariant degenerate to a Laurent polynomial in $t$ of degree $(1,1)$ in the limit $t\to\infty$. For genus two…
We relate the low-energy expansions of world-sheet integrals in genus-one amplitudes of open- and closed-string states. The respective expansion coefficients are elliptic multiple zeta values in the open-string case and non-holomorphic modular forms dubbed "modular graph forms" for closed strings. By inspecting the differential equations and degeneration limits of suitable generating series of genus-one integrals, we identify formal substitution rules mapping the elliptic multiple zeta values of open strings to the modular graph forms of closed strings. Based on the properties of these rules, …
We derive new Poincaré-series representations for infinite families of non-holomorphic modular invariant functions that include modular graph forms as they appear in the low-energy expansion of closed-string scattering amplitudes at genus one. The Poincaré series are constructed from iterated integrals over single holomorphic Eisenstein series and their complex conjugates, decorated by suitable combinations of zeta values. We evaluate the Poincaré sums over these iterated Eisenstein integrals of depth one and deduce new representations for all modular graph forms built from iterated Eisenstein…
The B-model topological string theory on a Calabi-Yau threefold X has a symmetry group Gamma, generated by monodromies of the periods of X. This acts on the topological string wave function in a natural way, governed by the quantum mechanics of the phase space H^3(X). We show that, depending on the choice of polarization, the genus g topological string amplitude is either a holomorphic quasi-modular form or an almost holomorphic modular form of weight 0 under Gamma. Moreover, at each genus, certain combinations of genus g amplitudes are both modular and holomorphic. We illustrate this for the …
In this thesis, we investigate the low-energy expansion of scattering amplitudes of closed strings at one-loop level (i.e. at genus one) in a ten-dimensional Minkowski background using a special class of functions called modular graph forms. These allow for a systematic evaluation of the low-energy expansion and satisfy many non-trivial algebraic and differential relations. We study these relations in detail, leading to basis decompositions for a large number of modular graph forms which greatly reduce the complexity of the expansions of the integrals appearing in the amplitude. One of the res…
A number theoretic approach to string compactification is developed for Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces in arbitrary dimensions. The motivic strategy involved is illustrated by showing that the Hecke eigenforms derived from Galois group orbits of the holomorphic two-form of a particular type of K3 surfaces can be expressed in terms of modular forms constructed from the worldsheet theory. The process of deriving string physics from spacetime geometry can be reversed, allowing the construction of K3 surface geometry from the string characters of the partition function. A general argument for K3 modular…
We consider four-parameter $D=4,N=2$ string models with Hodge numbers $(4,214- 12n)$ and $(4,148)$, and we express their perturbative Wilsonian gravitational coupling $F_1$ in terms of Siegel modular forms.
Vafa-Witten (VW) theory is a topologically twisted version of N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. S-duality suggests that the partition function of VW theory with gauge group SU(N) transforms as a modular form under duality transformations. Interestingly, Vafa and Witten demonstrated the presence of a modular anomaly, when the theory has gauge group SU(2) and is considered on the complex projective plane P2. This modular anomaly could be expressed as an integral of a modular form, and also be traded for a holomorphic anomaly. We demonstrate that the modular anomaly for gauge group SU(3) invo…
Tests of duality between heterotic strings on $K3\times T^2$ (restricted on certain Narain moduli subspaces) and type IIA strings on K3-fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds are attempted in the weak coupling regime on the heterotic side by identifying pertinent modular forms related to the computations of string threshold corrections. Concretely we discuss in parallel the three cases associated with Calabi-Yau manifolds $(A):X(6,2,2,1,1)_{2}^{-252}$, $(B):X(12,8,2,1,1)_{3}^{-480}$ and $(C):X(10,3,3,2,2)_{4}^{-132}$ on the type IIA side.
In this article we show that finite perturbative corrections in non-supersymmetric strings can be understood via an interplay between modular invariance and misaligned supersymmetry. While modular invariance is known to be crucial in closed-string models, its presence and role for open strings is more subtle. Nevertheless, we argue that it leads to cancellations in physical quantities such as the one-loop cosmological constant and prevents them from diverging. In particular, we show that if the sector-averaged number of states does not grow exponentially, as predicted by misaligned supersymmet…
We investigate the generic distribution of bosonic and fermionic states at all mass levels in non-supersymmetric string theories, and find that a hidden ``misaligned supersymmetry'' must always appear in the string spectrum. We show that this misaligned supersymmetry is ultimately responsible for the finiteness of string amplitudes in the absence of full spacetime supersymmetry, and therefore the existence of misaligned supersymmetry provides a natural constraint on the degree to which spacetime supersymmetry can be broken in string theory without destroying the finiteness of string amplitudes…
We study the modular invariance of strings on pp-waves with RR-flux. We explicitly show that the one-loop partition functions of the maximally supersymmetric pp-waves and their orbifolds can be modular invariant in spite of the mass terms in the light-cone gauge. From this viewpoint, we also determine the spectrum of type 0B theory on pp-wave and discuss its gauge theory dual. Furthermore, we investigate the spectrum of a non-supersymmetric orbifold and point out its supersymmetry enhancement in the Penrose limit.
We consider double scaled little string theory on $K3$. These theories are labelled by a positive integer $k \ge 2$ and an $ADE$ root lattice with Coxeter number $k$. We count BPS fundamental string states in the holographic dual of this theory using the superconformal field theory $K3 \times \left( \frac{SL(2,\mathbb{R})_k}{U(1)} \times \frac{SU(2)_k}{U(1)} \right) \big/ \mathbb{Z}_k$. We show that the BPS fundamental string states that are counted by the second helicity supertrace of this theory give rise to weight two mixed mock modular forms. We compute the helicity supertraces using two s…
This Ph.D. thesis collects results obtained investigating two different aspects of modern unifying theories. In the first part I summarized results achieved investigating simplicial aspects of string dualities. Exploiting Boundary Conformal Field Theory techniques, I investigated the coupling between random Regge triangulations and open string theory, discussing its implications in gauge/gravity correspondence. The second part reports results obtained in the paper hep-th/0309237, devoted to look for cosmological backgrounds of superstring theories.
We derive the potential modular symmetries of heterotic string theory. For a toroidal compactification with Wilson line modulus, we obtain the Siegel modular group $\mathrm{Sp}(4,\mathbb{Z})$ that includes the modular symmetries $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})_T$ and $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})_U$ (of the "geometric" moduli $T$ and $U$) as well as mirror symmetry. In addition, string theory provides a candidate for a CP-like symmetry that enhances the Siegel modular group to $\mathrm{GSp}(4,\mathbb{Z})$.
We consider a class of four parameter D=4, N=2 string models, namely heterotic strings compactified on K3 times T2 together with their dual type II partners on Calabi-Yau three-folds. With the help of generalized modular forms (such as Siegel and Jacobi forms), we compute the perturbative prepotential and the perturbative Wilsonian gravitational coupling F1 for each of the models in this class. We check heterotic/type II duality for one of the models by relating the modular forms in the heterotic description to the known instanton numbers in the type II description. We comment on the relation …
We discuss the modular invariance of the SL(2,R) WZW model. In particular, we discuss in detail the modular invariants using the \hat{sl}(2,R) characters based on the discrete unitary series of the SL(2,R) representations. The explicit forms of the corresponding characters are known when no singular vectors appear. We show, for example, that from such characters modular invariants can be obtained only when the level k < 2 and infinitely large spins are included. In fact, we give a modular invariant with three variables Z(z,τ, u) in this case. We also argue that the discrete series characters a…
We study the differential polynomial rings which are defined using the special geometry of the moduli spaces of Calabi-Yau threefolds. The higher genus topological string amplitudes are expressed as polynomials in the generators of these rings, giving them a global description in the moduli space. At particular loci, the amplitudes yield the generating functions of Gromov-Witten invariants. We show that these rings are isomorphic to the rings of quasi modular forms for threefolds with duality groups for which these are known. For the other cases, they provide generalizations thereof. We furthe…
We study the modular symmetry in magnetized D-brane models on $T^2$. Non-Abelian flavor symmetry $D_4$ in the model with magnetic flux $M=2$ (in a certain unit) is a subgroup of the modular symmetry. We also study the modular symmetry in heterotic orbifold models. The $T^2/Z_4$ orbifold model has the same modular symmetry as the magnetized brane model with $M=2$, and its flavor symmetry $D_4$ is a subgroup of the modular symmetry.
A spectrum generating algebra is constructed and used to find all the physical states of the $W_3$ string with standard ghost number. These states are shown to have positive norm and their partition function is found to involve the Ising model characters corresponding to the weights 0 and 1/16. The theory is found to be modular invariant if , in addition, one includes states that correspond to the Ising character of weight 1/2. It is shown that these additional states are indeed contained in the cohomology of $Q$.
In this talk we discuss a class of Feynman integrals, which can be expressed to all orders in the dimensional regularisation parameter as iterated integrals of modular forms. We review the mathematical prerequisites related to elliptic curves and modular forms. Feynman integrals, which evaluate to iterated integrals of modular forms go beyond the class of multiple polylogarithms. Nevertheless, we may bring for all examples considered the associated system of differential equations by a non-algebraic transformation to an $\varepsilon$-form, which makes a solution in terms of iterated integrals …
We discuss the appearance of modular functions at the one-loop gauge and gravitational couplings in (0,2) non-decomposable N=1 four dimensional orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string. We define the limits for the existence of states causing singularities in the moduli space in the perturbative regime for a generic vacuum of the heterotic string. The "proof" provides evidence for the explanation of the stringy Higgs effect.
The modular properties of some higher dimensional varieties of special Fano type are analyzed by computing the L-function of their $Ω-$motives. It is shown that the emerging modular forms are string theoretic in origin, derived from the characters of the underlying rational conformal field theory. The definition of the class of Fano varieties of special type is motivated by the goal to find candidates for a geometric realization of the mirrors of rigid Calabi-Yau varieties. We consider explicitly the cubic sevenfold and the quartic fivefold, and show that their motivic L-functions agree with t…
False theta functions form a family of functions with intriguing modular properties and connections to mock modular forms. In this paper, we take the first step towards investigating modular transformations of higher rank false theta functions, following the example of higher depth mock modular forms. In particular, we prove that under quite general conditions, a rank two false theta function is determined in terms of iterated, holomorphic, Eichler-type integrals. This provides a new method for examining their modular properties and we apply it in a variety of situations where rank two false t…
We compute fully analytic results for the three-loop diagrams involving two different massive quark flavours contributing to the $ρ$ parameter in the Standard Model. We find that the results involve exactly the same class of functions that appears in the well-known sunrise and banana graphs, namely elliptic polylogarithms and iterated integrals of modular forms. Using recent developments in the understanding of these functions, we analytically continue all the iterated integrals of modular forms to all regions of the parameter space, and in each region we obtain manifestly real and fast-conver…
In this paper we show that certain Feynman integrals can be expressed as linear combinations of iterated integrals of modular forms to all orders in the dimensional regularisation parameter $\varepsilon$ . We discuss explicitly the equal mass sunrise integral and the kite integral. For both cases we give the alphabet of letters occurring in the iterated integrals. For the sunrise integral we present a compact formula, expressing this integral to all orders in $\varepsilon$ as iterated integrals of modular forms.
We investigate the interplay between the enumerative geometry of Calabi-Yau fourfolds with fluxes and the modularity of elliptic genera in four-dimensional string theories. We argue that certain contributions to the elliptic genus are given by derivatives of modular or quasi-modular forms, which encode BPS invariants of Calabi-Yau or non-Calabi-Yau threefolds that are embedded in the given fourfold. As a result, the elliptic genus is only a quasi-Jacobi form, rather than a modular or quasi-modular one in the usual sense. This manifests itself as a holomorphic anomaly of the spectral flow symme…
We review the theory and phenomenology of effective supergravity theories based on orbifold compactifications of the weakly-coupled heterotic string. In particular, we consider theories in which the four-dimensional theory displays target space modular invariance and where the dilatonic mode undergoes Kahler stabilization. A self-contained exposition of effective Lagrangian approaches to gaugino condensation and heterotic string theory is presented, leading to the development of the models of Binetruy, Gaillard and Wu. Various aspects of the phenomenology of this class of models are considered…
The modular spaces are a family of polarizations of the Hilbert space that are based on Aharonov's modular variables and carry a rich geometric structure. We construct here, step by step, a Feynman path integral for the quantum harmonic oscillator in a modular polarization. This modular path integral is endowed with novel features such as a new action, winding modes, and an Aharonov-Bohm phase. Its saddle points are sequences of superposition states and they carry a non-classical concept of locality in alignment with the understanding of quantum reference frames. The action found in the modula…
We compare the N=1 F-theory compactification of Donagi, Grassi and Witten with modular superpotential - and some closely related models - to dual heterotic models. We read of the F-theory spectrum from the cohomology of the fourfold and discuss on the heterotic side the gauge bundle moduli sector (including the spectral surface) and the necessary fivebranes. Then we consider the N=1 superpotential and show how a heterotic superpotential matching the F-theory computation is built up by worldsheet instantons. Finally we discuss how the original modular superpotential should be corrected by an ad…
The four-point integral of the minimal super Liouville gravity on the sphere is evaluated numerically. The integration procedure is based on the effective elliptic parameterization of the moduli space. The analysis is performed for a few different gravitational four-point amplitudes. The results agree with the analytic results recently obtained using the Higher super Liouville equations of motion.
The restrictions of target--space duality are imposed at the perturbative level on the holomorphic Wilsonian couplings that encode certain higher-order gravitational interactions in $N=2, D=4$ heterotic string compactifications. A crucial role is played by non-holomorphic corrections. The requirement of symplectic covariance and an associated symplectic anomaly equation play an important role in determining their form. For models which also admit a type-II description, this equation coincides with the holomorphic anomaly equation for type-II compactifications in the limit that a specific Kähle…
The modular invariance of the one-loop partition function of the closed bosonic string in four dimensions in the presence of certain homogeneous exact pp-wave backgrounds is studied. In the absence of an axion field the partition function is found to be modular invariant. In the presence of an axion field modular invariace is broken. This can be attributed to the light-cone gauge which breaks the symmetry in the $σ$-, $t$-directions. Recovery of this broken modular invariance suggests the introduction of twists in the world-sheet directions. However, one needs to go beyond the light-cone gauge…
We study half-space/Rindler modular Hamiltonians for excited states created by turning on sources for local operators in the Euclidean path integral in relativistic quantum field theories. We derive a simple, manifestly Lorentzian formula for the modular Hamiltonian to all orders in perturbation theory in the sources. We apply this formula to the case of shape-deformed half spaces in the vacuum state, and obtain the corresponding modular Hamiltonian to all orders in the shape deformation in terms of products of half-sided null energy operators, i.e., stress tensor components integrated along t…
We show, using a theorem of Milnor and Margulis, that string theory on compact negatively curved spaces grows new effective dimensions as the space shrinks, generalizing and contextualizing the results in hep-th/0510044. Milnor's theorem relates negative sectional curvature on a compact Riemannian manifold to exponential growth of its fundamental group, which translates in string theory to a higher effective central charge arising from winding strings. This exponential density of winding modes is related by modular invariance to the infrared small perturbation spectrum. Using self-consistent a…
In these proceedings we discuss a representation for modular forms that is more suitable for their application to the calculation of Feynman integrals in the context of iterated integrals and the differential equation method. In particular, we show that for every modular form we can find a representation in terms of powers of complete elliptic integrals of the first kind multiplied by algebraic functions. We illustrate this result on several examples. In particular, we show how to explicitly rewrite elliptic multiple zeta values as iterated integrals over powers of complete elliptic integrals …
Modular and quasimodular forms have played an important role in gravity and string theory. Eisenstein series have appeared systematically in the determination of spectrums and partition functions, in the description of non-perturbative effects, in higher-order corrections of scalar-field spaces, ... The latter often appear as gravitational instantons i.e. as special solutions of Einstein's equations. In the present lecture notes we present a class of such solutions in four dimensions, obtained by requiring (conformal) self-duality and Bianchi IX homogeneity. In this case, a vast range of confi…
Spectra of a string in $ SL(2,R) $ and three dimensional (BTZ) black hole geometry are discussed. We consider a free field realization of ^sl (2,R) different from the standard ones in treatment of zero-modes. Applying this to the string model in SL(2,R), we show that the spectrum is ghost-free. The essence of the argument is the same as Bars' resolution to the ghost problem, but there are differences; for example, the currents do not contain logarithmic cuts. Moreover, we obtain a modular invariant partition function. This realization is also applicable to the analysis of the string in the thr…
We consider a class of differential equations for multi-loop Feynman integrals which can be solved to all orders in dimensional regularisation in terms of iterated integrals of meromorphic modular forms. We show that the subgroup under which the modular forms transform can naturally be identified with the monodromy group of a certain second-order differential operator. We provide an explicit decomposition of the spaces of modular forms into a direct sum of total derivatives and a basis of modular forms that cannot be written as derivatives of other functions, thereby generalising a result by o…
We investigate the behaviour of elliptic Feynman integrals under modular transformations. This has a practical motivation: Through a suitable modular transformation we can achieve that the nome squared is a small quantity, leading to fast numerical evaluations. Contrary to the case of multiple polylogarithms, where it is sufficient to consider just variable transformations for the numerical evaluations of multiple polylogarithms, it is more natural in the elliptic case to consider a combination of a variable transformation (i.e. a modular transformation) together with a redefinition of the mas…
We review and present new results for a string moving on an $SU(1,1)$ group manifold. We discuss two classes of theories which use discrete representations. For these theories the representations forbidden by unitarity decouple and, in addition, one can construct modular invariant partition functions. The partion functions do, however, contain divergencies due to the time-like direction of the $SU(1,1)$ manifold. The two classes of theories have the corresponding central charges $c=9,6,5,9/2,\ldots$ and $c=9,15,21,27,\ldots$. Subtracting two from the latter series of central charges we get the…
