arXiv subjects

Elba Garcia-Failde

Publications and source records attributed to Elba Garcia-Failde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Refined lattice point counting on the moduli space of Klein surfaces

We introduce the moduli space of metric Möbius graphs, which extend ribbon graphs to the non-orientable world. This space contains both the moduli space of Riemann surfaces and the moduli space of non-orientable Klein surfaces. Each metric Möbius graph is equipped with a measure of non-orientability. We count lattice points in this moduli space, weighted by the measure of non-orientability, and prove a refined version of Norbury's recursion for this count. Taking the limit as the mesh becomes finer, we deduce a recursion for the Euclidean volumes, yielding a refined version of the Witten--Kontsevich recursion. As an application, we give a geometric definition of the refined Euler characteristic of the moduli space and compute it explicitly, thereby answering a question of Goulden, Harer, and Jackson.

math.AG↗

arXiv2026

On enumeration of $b$-angulations of surfaces from an integrability perspective

In this paper, we study generating series enumerating polygonal angulations of closed oriented surfaces of fixed genus, focusing on $b$-angulations with $b = 3$ or $b = 2ν$, $ν\geq 2$. Based on Toda integrability, we establish new structural results in the cases $b = 3$ and $b = 4$. Furthermore, via the Hodge--GUE correspondence, we derive a fine structure in the $b = 2ν$ case, which implies a conjectural statement of Gharakhloo--Latimer.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

Volumes of moduli spaces of bordered Klein surfaces

We investigate volumes of moduli spaces of bordered Klein surfaces, which include non-orientable surfaces. On these moduli spaces, the top form introduced by Norbury diverges as the lengths of 1-sided geodesics approach zero. However, when integrated over Gendulphe's regularised moduli space, on which the systole of 1-sided geodesics is bounded below by $\epsilon\in\mathbb{R}_{>0}$, it returns a finite value. We derive an explicit formula for the volume of the moduli space of two-bordered real projective planes and of one-bordered Klein bottles --- the latter utilises Norbury's extension of the Mirzakhani--McShane identities to non-orientable surfaces. We then relate these results to refined topological recursion, showing that, for a fixed refinement parameter, the volumes of moduli spaces of Klein surfaces with Euler characteristic $-1$ are governed by this procedure. For general topologies, both approaches remain incomplete due to several difficulties, which we discuss in this work. Together with our results, this initiates the search for a geometric recursive structure governing the volumes of moduli spaces of bordered Klein surfaces, whose natural formulation may lie within a suitably extended version of refined topological recursion.

math.GT↗

arXiv2025

Relations on $\overline{\mathcal{M}}_{g,n}$ and the negative $r$-spin Witten conjecture

We construct and study various properties of a negative spin version of the Witten $ r $-spin class. By taking the top Chern class of a certain vector bundle on the moduli space of twisted spin curves that parametrises $ r $-th roots of the anticanonical bundle, we construct a non-semisimple cohomological field theory (CohFT) that we call the Theta class $ Θ^r $. This CohFT does not have a flat unit and its associated Dubrovin--Frobenius manifold is nowhere semisimple. Despite this, we construct a semisimple deformation of the Theta class, and using the Teleman reconstruction theorem, we obtain tautological relations on $ \overline{\mathcal{M}}_{g,n} $. We further consider the descendant potential of the Theta class and prove that it is the unique solution to a set of $ \mathcal{W} $-algebra constraints, which implies a recursive formula for the descendant integrals. Using this result for $ r = 2 $, we prove Norbury's conjecture which states that the descendant potential of $ Θ^2 $ coincides with the Brézin--Gross--Witten tau function of the KdV hierarchy. Furthermore, we conjecture that the descendant potential of $ Θ^r $ is the $ r $-BGW tau function of the $ r $-KdV hierarchy and prove the conjecture for $ r = 3 $.

math.AG↗

arXiv2024

Shifted Witten classes and topological recursion

The Witten $r$-spin class defines a non-semisimple cohomological field theory. Pandharipande, Pixton and Zvonkine studied two special shifts of the Witten class along two semisimple directions of the associated Dubrovin--Frobenius manifold using the Givental--Teleman reconstruction theorem. We show that the $R$-matrix and the translation of these two specific shifts can be constructed from the solutions of two differential equations that generalise the classical Airy differential equation. Using this, we prove that the descendant intersection theory of the shifted Witten classes satisfies topological recursion on two $1$-parameter families of spectral curves. By taking the limit as the parameter goes to zero for these families of spectral curves, we prove that the descendant intersection theory of the Witten $r$-spin class can be computed by topological recursion on the $r$-Airy spectral curve. We finally show that this proof suffices to deduce Witten's $r$-spin conjecture, already proved by Faber, Shadrin and Zvonkine, which claims that the generating series of $r$-spin intersection numbers is the tau function of the $r$-KdV hierarchy that satisfies the string equation.

math.AG↗

arXiv2024

Quantization of classical spectral curves via topological recursion

We prove that the topological recursion formalism can be used to quantize any generic classical spectral curve with smooth ramification points and simply ramified away from poles. For this purpose, we build both the associated quantum curve, i.e.~the differential operator quantizing the algebraic equation defining the classical spectral curve considered, and a basis of wave functions, that is to say a basis of solutions of the corresponding differential equation. We further build a Lax pair representing the resulting quantum curve and thus present it as a point in an associated space of meromorphic connections on the Riemann sphere, a first step towards isomonodromic deformations. We finally propose two examples: the derivation of a 2-parameter family of formal trans-series solutions to Painlevé 2 equation and the quantization of a degree three spectral curve with pole only at infinity.

math-ph↗

arXiv2023

From topological recursion to wave functions and PDEs quantizing hyperelliptic curves

Starting from loop equations, we prove that the wave functions constructed from topological recursion on families of degree $2$ spectral curves with a global involution satisfy a system of partial differential equations, whose equations can be seen as quantizations of the original spectral curves. The families of spectral curves can be parametrized with the so-called times, defined as periods on second type cycles, and with the poles. These equations can be used to prove that the WKB solution of many isomonodromic systems coincides with the topological recursion wave function, which proves that the topological recursion wave function is annihilated by a quantum curve. This recovers many known quantum curves for genus zero spectral curves and generalizes this construction to hyperelliptic curves.

math-ph↗

arXiv2023

Resurgent Asymptotics of Jackiw-Teitelboim Gravity and the Nonperturbative Topological Recursion

Jackiw-Teitelboim dilaton-quantum-gravity localizes on a double-scaled random-matrix model, whose perturbative free energy is an asymptotic series. Understanding the resurgent properties of this asymptotic series, including its completion into a full transseries, requires understanding the nonperturbative instanton sectors of the matrix model for Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity. The present work addresses this question by setting-up instanton calculus associated to eigenvalue tunneling (or ZZ-brane contributions), directly in the matrix model. In order to systematize such calculations, a nonperturbative extension of the topological recursion formalism is required -- which is herein both constructed and applied to the present problem. Large-order tests of the perturbative genus expansion validate the resurgent nature of Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity, both for its free energy and for its (multi-resolvent) correlation functions. Both ZZ and FZZT nonperturbative effects are required by resurgence, and they further display resonance upon the Borel plane. Finally, the resurgence properties of the multi-resolvent correlation functions yield new and improved resurgence formulae for the large-genus growth of Weil-Petersson volumes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Topological recursion for generalised Kontsevich graphs and r-spin intersection numbers

Kontsevich introduced certain ribbon graphs as cell decompositions for combinatorial models of moduli spaces of complex curves with boundaries in his proof of Witten's conjecture. In this work, we define four types of generalised Kontsevich graphs and find combinatorial relations among them. We call the main type ciliated maps and use the auxiliary ones to show they satisfy a Tutte recursion that we turn into a combinatorial interpretation of the loop equations of topological recursion for a large class of spectral curves. It follows that ciliated maps, which are Feynman graphs for the Generalised Kontsevich matrix Model (GKM), are computed by topological recursion. Our particular instance of the GKM relates to the r-KdV integrable hierarchy and since the string solution of the latter encodes intersection numbers with Witten's $r$-spin class, we find an identity between ciliated maps and $r$-spin intersection numbers, implying that they are also governed by topological recursion. In turn, this paves the way towards a combinatorial understanding of Witten's class. This new topological recursion perspective on the GKM provides concrete tools to explore the conjectural symplectic invariance property of topological recursion for large classes of spectral curves.

math.CO↗

arXiv2023

Functional relations for higher-order free cumulants

We establish the functional relations between generating series of higher-order free cumulants and moments in higher-order free probability, solving an open problem posed fifteen years ago by Collins, Mingo, Śniady and Speicher. We propose an extension of free probability theory, which governs the all-order topological expansion in unitarily invariant matrix ensembles, with a corresponding notion of free cumulants and give as well their relation to moments via functional relations. Our approach is based on the study of a master transformation involving double monotone Hurwitz numbers via semi-infinite wedge techniques, building on the recent advances of the last-named author with Bychkov, Dunin-Barkowski and Kazarian. We illustrate our formulas by computing the first few decaying terms of the correlation functions of an ensemble of spiked GUE matrices, going beyond the law of large numbers and the central limit theorem.

math.OA↗

arXiv2023

Resurgent large genus asymptotics of intersection numbers

In this paper, we present a novel approach for computing the large genus asymptotics of intersection numbers. Our strategy is based on a resurgent analysis of the $n$-point functions of such intersection numbers, which are computed via determinantal formulae, and relies on the presence of a quantum curve. With this approach, we are able to extend the recent results of Aggarwal for Witten-Kontsevich intersection numbers with the computation of all subleading corrections, proving a conjecture of Guo-Yang, and to obtain new results on $r$-spin and Theta-class intersection numbers.

math.AG↗

arXiv2023

Nesting statistics in the $O(n)$ loop model on random maps of arbitrary topologies

We pursue the analysis of nesting statistics in the $O(n)$ loop model on random maps, initiated for maps with the topology of disks and cylinders in math-ph/1605.02239, here for arbitrary topologies. For this purpose we rely on the topological recursion results of math-ph/0910.5896 and math-ph/1303.5808 for the enumeration of maps in the $O(n)$ model. We characterize the generating series of maps of genus $g$ with $k'$ marked points and $k$ boundaries and realizing a fixed nesting graph. These generating series are amenable to explicit computations in the loop model with bending energy on triangulations, and we characterize their behavior at criticality in the dense and in the dilute phase.

math-ph↗

arXiv2022

Topological recursion for Orlov-Scherbin tau functions, and constellations with internal faces

We study the correlators $W_{g,n}$ arising from Orlov-Scherbin 2-Toda tau functions with rational content-weight $G(z)$, at arbitrary values of the two sets of time parameters. Combinatorially, they correspond to generating functions of weighted Hurwitz numbers and $(m,r)$-factorisations of permutations. When the weight function is polynomial, they are generating functions of constellations on surfaces in which two full sets of degrees (black/white) are entirely controlled, and in which internal faces are allowed in addition to boundaries. We give the spectral curve (the "disk" function $W_{0,1}$, and the "cylinder" function $W_{0,2}$) for this model, generalising Eynard's solution of the 2-matrix model which corresponds to $G(z)=1+z$, by the addition of arbitrarily many free parameters. Our method relies both on the Albenque-Bouttier combinatorial proof of Eynard's result by slice decompositions, which is strong enough to handle the polynomial case, and on algebraic arguments. Building on this, we establish the topological recursion (TR) for the model. Our proof relies on the fact that TR is already known at time zero (or, combinatorially, when the underlying graphs have only boundaries, and no internal faces) by work of Bychkov-Dunin-Barkowski-Kazarian-Shadrin (or Alexandrov-Chapuy-Eynard-Harnad for the polynomial case), and on the general idea of deformation of spectral curves due to Eynard and Orantin, which we make explicit in this case. As a result of TR, we obtain strong structure results for all fixed-genus generating functions.

math.CO↗

arXiv2021

Topological recursion for fully simple maps from ciliated maps

Ordinary maps satisfy topological recursion for a certain spectral curve $(x, y)$. We solve a conjecture from arXiv:1710.07851 that claims that fully simple maps, which are maps with non self-intersecting disjoint boundaries, satisfy topological recursion for the exchanged spectral curve $(y, x)$, making use of the topological recursion for ciliated maps arXiv:2105.08035.

math.CO↗

arXiv2021

A curious identity that implies Faber's conjecture

We prove that a curious generating series identity implies Faber's intersection number conjecture (by showing that it implies a combinatorial identity already given in arXiv:1902.02742) and give a new proof of Faber's conjecture by directly proving this identity.

math.CO↗

arXiv2020

On discrete surfaces: Enumerative geometry, matrix models and universality classes via topological recursion

The main objects under consideration in this thesis are called maps, a certain class of graphs embedded on surfaces. Our problems have a powerful relatively recent tool in common, the so-called topological recursion (TR) introduced by Chekhov, Eynard and Orantin. We call a map fully simple if it has non self-intersecting disjoint boundaries, and ordinary if such a restriction is not imposed. We study the combinatorial relation between fully simple and ordinary maps with the topology of a disk or a cylinder, which reproduces relations between moments and free cumulants established in the context of free probability. We propose a combinatorial interpretation of the exchange symplectic transformation of TR. We provide a matrix model interpretation for fully simple maps via the formal hermitian matrix model with external field and deduce a universal relation between generating series of fully simple and ordinary maps, which involves double monotone Hurwitz numbers. In particular, we obtain an ELSV-like formula for double $2$-orbifold strictly monotone Hurwitz numbers. We consider ordinary maps endowed with an $O(\mathsf{n})$ loop model, which is a classical model in statistical physics, and determine which shapes are more likely to occur by looking at the nesting properties of the loops decorating the maps. We want to study the limiting objects when the number of vertices becomes arbitrarily large, which can be done by studying the generating series at dominant singularities. We analyze the nesting statistics in the $O(\mathsf{n})$ loop model on random maps of arbitrary topologies in the presence of large and small boundaries, relying on previous results for disks and cylinders and TR for this model. We study the generating series of maps which realize a fixed nesting graph and characterize their critical behavior in the dense and dilute phases.

math-ph↗

arXiv2019

Half-Spin Tautological Relations and Faber's Proportionalities of Kappa Classes

We employ the $1/2$-spin tautological relations to provide a particular combinatorial identity. We show that this identity is a statement equivalent to Faber's formula for proportionalities of kappa-classes on $\mathcal{M}_g$, $g\geq 2$. We then prove several cases of the combinatorial identity, providing a new proof of Faber's formula for those cases.

math.CO↗

arXiv2019

Relating ordinary and fully simple maps via monotone Hurwitz numbers

A direct relation between the enumeration of ordinary maps and that of fully simple maps first appeared in the work of the first and last authors. The relation is via monotone Hurwitz numbers and was originally proved using Weingarten calculus for matrix integrals. The goal of this paper is to present two independent proofs that are purely combinatorial and generalise in various directions, such as to the setting of stuffed maps and hypermaps. The main motivation to understand the relation between ordinary and fully simple maps is the fact that it could shed light on fundamental, yet still not well-understood, problems in free probability and topological recursion.

math.CO↗