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 18 families of elliptic Calabi--Yaus which arise in constructing $F$-theory compactifications of string vacua, and show in each case that the upper Hodge diamond of a crepant resolution of the associated Weierstrass model coincides with the upper Hodge diamond of the (blown up) projective bundle in which the crepant resolution is naturally embedded. Such results are unexpected, as each crepant resolution we consider does \emph{not} satisfy the hypotheses of the Lefschetz hyperplane theorem. In light of such findings, we suspect that all ellipitic Calabi--Yaus satisfy such a `Lefsch…
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…
Elliptic and genus one fibered Calabi-Yau spaces play a prominent role in string theory and mathematics. In this article we discuss a class of genus one fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds with 5-sections from various perspectives. In algebraic geometry, such Calabi-Yaus can be constructed as complete intersections in Grassmannian fibrations and as Pfaffian varieties. These constructions naturally fit into the framework of homological projective duality and lead to dual pairs of Calabi-Yaus. From a physics perspective, these spaces can be realised as low-energy configurations ("phases") of gauged li…
This paper gives a simple example of a family of Calabi-Yaus of any dimension with canonical singularities of dimension one, whose Kuranishi space is singular. Thus the Bogomolov-Tian-Todorov unobstructedness theorem is not true for Calabi-Yaus with canonical singularities.
In this work we give a gauged linear sigma model (GLSM) realization of pairs of homologically projective dual Calabi-Yaus that have recently been constructed in the mathematics literature. Many of the geometries can be realized mathematically in terms of joins. We discuss how joins can be described in terms of GLSMs and how the associated Calabi-Yaus arise as phases in the GLSMs. Due to strong-coupling phenomena in the GLSM, the geometries are realized via a mix of perturbative and non-perturbative effects. We apply two-dimensional gauge dualities to construct dual GLSMs. Geometries that are r…
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.
We define a particular class of topological field theories associated to open strings and prove the resulting D-branes and open strings form the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves. This derivation is a variant of some ideas proposed recently by Douglas. We then argue that any 0-brane on any Calabi-Yau threefold must become unstable along some path in the Kahler moduli space. As a byproduct of this analysis we see how the derived category can be invariant under a birational transformation between Calabi-Yaus.
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…
We prove that the deformation theory of compactifiable asymptotically cylindrical Calabi-Yau manifolds is unobstructed. This relies on a detailed study of the Dolbeault-Hodge theory and its description in terms of the cohomology of the compactification. We also show that these Calabi-Yau metrics admit a polyhomogeneous expansion at infinity, a result that we extend to asymptotically conical Calabi-Yau metrics as well. We then study the moduli space of Calabi-Yau deformations that fix the complex structure at infinity. There is a Weil-Petersson metric on this space which we show is Kähler. By p…
We investigate sheaves supported on the zero section of the total space of a locally-free sheaf E on a smooth, projective variety X when the top exterior power of E is isomorphic to the canonical bundle of X. We rephrase this construction using the language of A-infinity algebra and provide a simple characterisation of the case E is simply the canonical bundle itself.
We conjecture that the number of components of the fiber over infinity of Landau--Ginzburg model for a smooth Fano variety $X$ equals the dimension of the anticanonical system of $X$. We verify this conjecture for log Calabi--Yau compactifications of toric Landau--Ginzburg models for smooth Fano threefolds, complete intersections, and some toric varieties.
This is the first of two papers which construct a purely algebraic counterpart to the theory of Gromov-Witten invariants (at all genera). These Gromov-Witten type invariants depend on a Calabi-Yau A-infinity category, which plays the role of the target in ordinary Gromov-Witten theory. When we use an appropriate A-infinity version of the derived category of coherent sheaves on a Calabi-Yau variety, this constructs the B model at all genera. When the Fukaya category of a compact symplectic manifold X is used, it is shown, under certain assumptions, that the usual Gromov-Witten invariants are re…
This is the sequel to my preprint "TCFTs and Calabi-Yau categories", math.QA/0412149. Here we extend the results of that paper to construct, for certain Calabi-Yau A-infinity categories, something playing the role of the Gromov-Witten potential. This is a state in the Fock space associated to periodic cyclic homology, which is a symplectic vector space. Applying this to a suitable A-infinity version of the derived category of sheaves on a Calabi-Yau yields the B model potential, at all genera. The construction doesn't go via the Deligne-Mumford spaces, but instead uses the Batalin-Vilkovisky a…
Let $L$ be a cyclic $L_\infty$-algebra of dimension $3$ with finite dimensional cohomology only in dimension one and two. By transfer theorem there exists a cyclic $L_\infty$-algebra structure on the cohomology $H^*(L)$. The inner product plus the higher products of the cyclic $L_\infty$-algebra defines a superpotential function $f$ on $H^1(L)$. We associate with an analytic Milnor fiber for the formal function $f$ and define the Euler characteristic of $L$ is to be the Euler characteristic of the étale cohomology of the analytic Milnor fiber. In this paper we prove a Thom-Sebastiani type form…
