We use F. Ferrari's methods relating matrix models to Calabi-Yau spaces in order to explain Intriligator and Wecht's ADE classification of $\N=1$ superconformal theories which arise as RG fixed points of $\N = 1$ SQCD theories with adjoints. The connection between matrix models and $\N = 1$ gauge theories can be seen as evidence for the Dijkgraaf--Vafa conjecture. We find that ADE superpotentials in the Intriligator--Wecht classification exactly match matrix model superpotentials obtained from Calabi-Yau's with corresponding ADE singularities. Moreover, in the additional $\Hat{O}, \Hat{A}, \Hat{D}$ and $\Hat{E}$ cases we find new singular geometries. These `hat' geometries are closely related to their ADE counterparts, but feature non-isolated singularities. As a byproduct, we give simple descriptions for small resolutions of Gorenstein threefold singularities in terms of transition functions between just two coordinate charts. To obtain these results we develop techniques for performing small resolutions and small blow-downs, including an algorithm for blowing down exceptional $\PP^1$'s. In particular, we conjecture that small resolutions for isolated Gorenstein threefold singularities can be obtained by deforming matrix factorizations for simple surface singularities -- and prove this in the length 1 and length 2 cases.
We briefly report on some recent progress in the computation of B-brane superpotentials for Type II strings compactified on Calabi-Yau manifolds, obtained by using a parametrization of tubular neighborhoods of complex submanifolds, also known as local spaces. In particular, we propose a closed expression for the superpotential of a brane on a genus-g curve in a Calabi-Yau threefold in the case in which there exists a holomorphic projection from the local space around the curve to the curve itself.
We calculate the D-brane superpotentials for two Calabi-Yau manifolds with three deformations by the generalized hypergeometric GKZ systems, which give rise to the flux superpotentials $\mathcal{W}_{GVW}$ of the dual F-theory compactification on the relevant Calabi-Yau fourfolds in the weak decoupling limit. We also compute the Ooguri-Vafa invariants from A-model expansion with mirror symmetry, which are related to the open Gromov-Witten invariants.
We discuss the period geometry and the topological string amplitudes on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds in toric ambient spaces. In particular, we describe a general procedure to fix integral periods. Using some elementary facts from homological mirror symmetry we then obtain Bridgelands involution and its monodromy action on the integral basis for non-singular elliptically fibered fourfolds. The full monodromy group contains a subgroup that acts as PSL(2,Z) on the Kähler modulus of the fiber and we analyze the consequences of this modularity for the genus zero and genus one amplitud…
We use F. Ferrari's methods relating matrix models to Calabi-Yau spaces in order to explain much of Intriligator and Wecht's ADE classification of $\N=1$ superconformal theories which arise as RG fixed points of $\N = 1$ SQCD theories with adjoints. We find that ADE superpotentials in the Intriligator-Wecht classification exactly match matrix model superpotentials obtained from Calabi-Yaus with corresponding ADE singularities. Moreover, in the additional $\Hat{O}, \Hat{A}, \Hat{D}$ and $\Hat{E}$ cases we find new singular geometries. These `hat' geometries are closely related to their ADE coun…
In this paper, we extend the GKZ-system method to the more general case: compact Complete Intersection Calabi-Yau manifolds (CICY). For several one-deformation modulus compact CICYs with D-branes, the on-shell superpotentials in this paper from the extended GKZ-system method are exactly consistent with published results obtained from other methods. We further compute the off-shell superpotentials of these models. Then we obtain both the on-shell and off-shell superpotentials for sev- eral two-deformation moduli compact CICYs with D-branes by using the extended GKZ-system method. The discrete s…
Each smooth elliptic Calabi-Yau 4-fold determines both a three-dimensional physical theory (a compactification of ``M-theory'') and a four-dimensional physical theory (using the ``F-theory'' construction). A key issue in both theories is the calculation of the ``superpotential''of the theory. We propose a systematic approach to identify these divisors, and derive some criteria to determine whether a given divisor indeed contributes. We then apply our techniques in explicit examples, in particular, when the base B of the elliptic fibration is a toric variety or a Fano 3-fold. When B is Fano, we…
Let A be an augmented algebra over a semi-simple algebra S. We show that the Ext algebra of S as an A-module, enriched with its natural A-infinity structure, can be used to reconstruct the completion of A at the augmentation ideal. We use this technical result to justify a calculation in the physics literature describing algebras that are derived equivalent to certain non-compact Calabi-Yau three-folds. Since the calculation produces superpotentials for these algebras we also include some discussion of superpotential algebras and their invariants.
We consider 3-dimensional toric Calabi-Yau singularities which arise as cones over the Chow quotient for a torus acting on projective space. We show that the Chow forms of the closures of the codimension 2 orbits can very easily be written down from the quiver with superpotential which corresponds with the given CY3 singularity under the correspondence between CY3 singularities and quivers with superpotential which is part of the AdS/CFT correspondence in physics. We also prove that this provides a new method for computing the principal A-determinant in the theory of Gelfand-Kapranov-Zelevinsk…
Let $Σ$ be a smooth projective complex curve and $\mathfrak{g}$ a simple Lie algebra of type ${\sf ADE}$ with associated adjoint group $G$. For a fixed pair $(Σ, \mathfrak{g})$, we construct a family of quasi-projective Calabi-Yau threefolds parameterized by the base of the Hitchin integrable system associated to $(Σ,\mathfrak{g})$. Our main result establishes an isomorphism between the Calabi-Yau integrable system, whose fibers are the intermediate Jacobians of this family of Calabi-Yau threefolds, and the Hitchin system for $G$, whose fibers are Prym varieties of the corresponding spectral c…
This work is concerned with branes and differential equations for one-parameter Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces in weighted projective spaces. For a certain class of B-branes we derive the inhomogeneous Picard--Fuchs equations satisfied by the brane superpotential. In this way we arrive at a prediction for the real BPS invariants for holomorphic maps of worldsheets with low Euler characteristics, ending on the mirror A-branes.
We study a class of graded algebras obtained from Ore extensions of graded Calabi-Yau algebras of dimension 2. It is proved that these algebras are graded Calabi-Yau and graded coherent. The superpotentials associated to these graded Calabi-Yau algebras are also constructed.
In this paper we construct noncommutative resolutions of a certain class of Calabi-Yau threefolds studied by F. Cachazo, S. Katz and C. Vafa. The threefolds under consideration are fibered over a complex plane with the fibers being deformed Kleinian singularities. The construction is in terms of a noncommutative algebra introduced by V. Ginzburg, which we call the "N=1 ADE quiver algebra".
The open string sector of the topological B-model on CY $(m+2)$-folds is described by $m$-graded quivers with superpotentials. This correspondence generalizes the connection between CY $(m+2)$-folds and gauge theories on the worldvolume of D$(5-2m)$-branes for $m=0,\ldots,3$ to arbitrary $m$. In this paper we introduce the Calabi-Yau product, a new algorithm that starting from the known quiver theories for a pair of toric CY$_{m+2}$ and CY$_{n+2}$ produces the quiver theory for a related CY$_{m+n+3}$. This method significantly supersedes existing ones, enabling the simple determination of quiv…
In this note, we prove combinatorial formulas for $h^{2,1}$ of prime toric divisors in an arbitrary toric hypersurface Calabi-Yau fourfold $Y_4.$ We show that it is possible to find a toric hypersurface Calabi-Yau in which there are more than $h^{1,1}(Y_4)$ non-perturbative superpotential terms with trivial intermediate Jacobian. Hodge numbers of divisors in toric CICYs are the subjects of the part two.
We prove a conjecture by F. Ferrari. Let X be the total space of a nonlinear deformation of a rank 2 holomorphic vector bundle on a smooth rational curve, such that X has trivial canonical bundle and has sections. Then the normal bundle to such sections is computed in terms of the rank of the Hessian of a suitably defined superpotential at its critical points.
We construct local geometric model in terms of F- and M-theory compactification on Calabi-Yau fourfolds which lead to N=1 Yang-Mills theory in d=4 and its reduction on a circle to d=3. We compute the superpotential in d=3, as a function of radius, which is generated by the Euclidean 5-brane instantons. The superpotential turns out to be the same as the potential for affine Toda theories. In the limit of vanishing radius the affine Toda potential reduces to the Toda potential.
6d superconformal field theories (SCFTs) are the SCFTs in the highest possible dimension. They can be geometrically engineered in F-theory by compactifying on non-compact elliptic Calabi-Yau manifolds. In this paper we focus on the class of SCFTs whose base geometry is determined by $-2$ curves intersecting according to ADE Dynkin diagrams and derive the corresponding mirror Calabi-Yau manifold. The mirror geometry is uniquely determined in terms of the mirror curve which has also an interpretation in terms of the Seiberg-Witten curve of the four-dimensional theory arising from torus compactif…
We prove a version of homological mirror symmetry statement for toric Calabi-Yau $3$-orbifolds, thus extending arXiv:1604.06448 to the case of orbifolds under the mirror symmetry setting considered in arXiv:1604.07123. The B-model is the matrix factorization category for the toric Calabi-Yau $3$-orbifold with a superpotential; while the A-model is a topologically defined Fukaya-type category on its mirror curve.
Any irreducible Dynkin diagram $Δ$ is obtained from an irreducible Dynkin diagram $Δ_h$ of type $\mathrm{ADE}$ by folding via graph automorphisms. For any simple complex Lie group $G$ with Dynkin diagram $Δ$ and compact Riemann surface $Σ$, we give a Lie-theoretic construction of families of quasi-projective Calabi-Yau threefolds together with an action of graph automorphisms over the Hitchin base associated to the pair $(Σ, G)$ . These give rise to Calabi-Yau orbifolds over the same base. Their intermediate Jacobian fibration, constructed in terms of equivariant cohomology, is isomorphic to t…
We study M-theory on a Calabi-Yau fourfold with a smooth surface $S$ of $A_{N-1}$ singularities. The resulting three-dimensional theory has a $\mathcal{N}=2$ $SU(N)$ gauge theory sector, which we obtain from a twisted dimensional reduction of a seven-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ $SU(N)$ gauge theory on the surface $S$. A variant of the Vafa-Witten equations governs the moduli space of the gauge theory, which, for a trivial $SU(N)$ principal bundle over $S$, admits a Coulomb and a Higgs branch. In M-theory these two gauge theory branches arise from a resolution and a deformation to smooth Calabi…
We first construct a derived equivalence between a small crepant resolution of an affine toric Calabi-Yau 3-fold and a certain quiver with a superpotential. Under this derived equivalence we establish a wall-crossing formula for the generating function of the counting invariants of perverse coherent systems. As an application we provide certain equations on Donaldson-Thomas, Pandeharipande-Thomas and Szendroi's invariants. Finally, we show that moduli spaces associated with a quiver given by successive mutations are realized as the moduli spaces associated the original quiver by changing the s…
A method for computing the open string mirror map and superpotential for noncompact Calabi-Yaus, following the physical computations of Lerche and Mayr, is presented. It is also shown that the obvious extension of these techniques to the compact case is not consistent. As an example, the local CP^2 case is worked out in 2 ways.
In this article we study dimer models, as introduced in string theory, which give a way of writing down a class of non-commutative `superpotential' algebras. Some examples are 3-dimensional Calabi-Yau algebras, as defined by Ginzburg, and some are not. We consider two types of `consistency' condition on dimer models, and show that a `geometrically consistent' model is `algebraically consistent'. We prove that the algebra obtained from an algebraically consistent dimer model is a 3-dimensional Calabi-Yau algebra and finally prove that this gives a non-commutative crepant resolution of the Goren…
We prove a formula for the Hodge numbers of square-free divisors of Calabi-Yau threefold hypersurfaces in toric varieties. Euclidean branes wrapping divisors affect the vacuum structure of Calabi-Yau compactifications of type IIB string theory, M-theory, and F-theory. Determining the nonperturbative couplings due to Euclidean branes on a divisor $D$ requires counting fermion zero modes, which depend on the Hodge numbers $h^i({\cal{O}}_D)$. Suppose that $X$ is a smooth Calabi-Yau threefold hypersurface in a toric variety $V$, and let $D$ be the restriction to $X$ of a square-free divisor of $V$…
We prove the Doran-Harder-Thompson conjecture in the case of elliptic curves by using ideas from SYZ mirror symmetry. The conjecture claims that when a Calabi-Yau manifold $X$ degenerates to a union of two quasi-Fano manifolds (Tyurin degeneration), a mirror Calabi-Yau manifold of $X$ can be constructed by gluing the two mirror Landau-Ginzburg models of the quasi-Fano manifolds. The two crucial ideas in our proof are to obtain a complex structure by gluing the underlying affine manifolds and to construct the theta functions from the Landau-Ginzburg superpotentials.
Let $A$ be a Koszul Artin-Schelter regular algebra with Nakayama automorphism $ξ$. We show that the Yoneda Ext-algebra of the skew polynomial algebra $A[z;ξ]$ is a trivial extension of a Frobenius algebra. Then we prove that $A[z;ξ]$ is Calabi-Yau; and hence each Koszul Artin Schelter regular algebra is a subalgebra of a Koszul Calabi-Yau algebra. A superpotential $\hat{w}$ is also constructed so that the Calabi-Yau algebra $A[z;ξ]$ is isomorphic to the derivation quotient of $\hat{w}$. The Calabi-Yau property of a skew polynomial algebra with coefficients in a PBW-deformation of a Koszul Arti…
We compute the Hochschild homology and cohomology, and cyclic homology, of almost Calabi-Yau algebras for SU(3) ADE graphs. These almost Calabi-Yau algebras are a higher rank analogue of the pre-projective algebras for Dynkin diagrams, which are SU(2)-related constructions. The Hochschild (co)homology and cyclic homology of A can be regarded as invariants for the braided subfactors associated to the SU(3) modular invariants.
