arXiv subjects

Lotte Hollands

Publications and source records attributed to Lotte Hollands.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Liouville Blocks from Spectral Networks

In this paper, we investigate the role of spectral networks in quantum Liouville theory, with particular emphasis on spectral networks of Fenchel-Nielsen-type. In the first part, we construct q-parallel transport for Fenchel-Nielsen networks through q-nonabelianisation, and compare with quantum parallel transport computed using the Moore-Seiberg formalism. This motivates a proposal for a quantum version of the NRS proposal. In the second part, we reproduce Liouville conformal blocks through the standard free-field formalism with Fenchel-Nielsen-type integration contours. However, we observe that this approach is not complete with respect to wall-crossing. We therefore develop an extension of the free-field formalism to smooth spectral coverings, with the Maulik-Okounkov R-matrix playing a central role. We conjecture that this new formalism generates the full spectrum of Liouville conformal blocks, and provides a first-principle definition for Goncharov-Shen conformal blocks.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Les Houches lectures on non-perturbative Seiberg-Witten geometry

In these lectures we detail the interplay between the low-energy dynamics of quantum field theories with four supercharges and the exact WKB analysis. This exposition may be the first comprehensive account of this connection and includes new arguments and results. The lectures start with the introduction of massive two-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(2,2)$ theories and their spectra of BPS solitons. We place these theories in a two-dimensional cigar background with supersymmetric boundary conditions labelled by a phase $ζ= e^{i \vartheta}$, while turning on the two-dimensional $Ω$-background with parameter~$ε$. We show that the resulting partition function $\mathcal{Z}_{\mathrm{2d}}^\vartheta(ε)$ can be characterized as the Borel-summed solution, in the direction $\vartheta$, to an associated Schrödinger equation. The partition function $\mathcal{Z}_{\mathrm{2d}}^\vartheta(ε)$ is locally constant in the phase $\vartheta$ and jumps across phases $\vartheta_\textrm{BPS}$ associated with the BPS solitons. Since these jumps are non-perturbative in the parameter~$ε$, we refer to $Z^\vartheta_\mathrm{2d}(ε)$ as the non-perturbative partition function for the original two-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(2,2)$ theory. We completely determine this partition function $\mathcal{Z}^\vartheta_\mathrm{2d}(ε)$ in two classes of examples, Landau-Ginzburg models and gauged linear sigma models, and show that $\mathcal{Z}^\vartheta_\mathrm{2d}(ε)$ encodes the well-known vortex partition function at a special phase $\vartheta_\textrm{FN}$ associated with the presence of self-solitons. This analysis generalizes to four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories in the $\frac{1}{2} Ω$-background.

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arXiv2023

Quantum Curves, Resurgence and Exact WKB

We study the non-perturbative quantum geometry of the open and closed topological string on the resolved conifold and its mirror. Our tools are finite difference equations in the open and closed string moduli and the resurgence analysis of their formal power series solutions. In the closed setting, we derive new finite difference equations for the refined partition function as well as its Nekrasov-Shatashvili (NS) limit. We write down a distinguished analytic solution for the refined difference equation that reproduces the expected non-perturbative content of the refined topological string. We compare this solution to the Borel analysis of the free energy in the NS limit. We find that the singularities of the Borel transform lie on infinitely many rays in the Borel plane and that the Stokes jumps across these rays encode the associated Donaldson-Thomas invariants of the underlying Calabi-Yau geometry. In the open setting, the finite difference equation corresponds to a canonical quantization of the mirror curve. We analyze this difference equation using Borel analysis and exact WKB techniques and identify the 5d BPS states in the corresponding exponential spectral networks. We furthermore relate the resurgence analysis in the open and closed setting. This guides us to a five-dimensional extension of the Nekrasov-Rosly-Shatashvili proposal, in which the NS free energy is computed as a generating function of $q$-difference opers in terms of a special set of spectral coordinates. Finally, we examine two spectral problems describing the corresponding quantum integrable system.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

A geometric recipe for twisted superpotentials

We give a pedagogical introduction to spectral networks and abelianization, as well as their relevance to $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric field theories in four dimensions. Motivated by a conjecture of Nekrasov-Rosly-Shatashvili, we detail a geometric recipe for computing the effective twisted superpotential for $\mathcal{N}=2$ field theories of class $\mathcal{S}$ as a generating function of the brane of opers, with respect to the spectral coordinates found from abelianization. We present two new examples, the simplest Argyres-Douglas theory and the pure $SU(2)$ gauge theory, while we conjecture the $ε$-expansion of the effective twisted superpotential for the $E_6$ Minahan-Nemeschansky theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Exact WKB and abelianization for the $T_3$ equation

We describe the exact WKB method from the point of view of abelianization, both for Schrödinger operators and for their higher-order analogues (opers). The main new example which we consider is the "$T_3$ equation," an order $3$ equation on the thrice-punctured sphere, with regular singularities at the punctures. In this case the exact WKB analysis leads to consideration of a new sort of Darboux coordinate system on a moduli space of flat $\mathrm{SL}(3)$-connections. We give the simplest example of such a coordinate system, and verify numerically that in these coordinates the monodromy of the $T_3$ equation has the expected asymptotic properties. We also briefly revisit the Schrödinger equation with cubic potential and the Mathieu equation from the point of view of abelianization.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

BPS states in the Minahan-Nemeschansky $E_7$ theory

We use the method of spectral networks to calculate BPS degeneracies in the Minahan-Nemeschansky $E_7$ theory, as representations of the $E_7$ flavor symmetry. Our results provide another example of a pattern noticed earlier in the Minahan-Nemeschansky $E_6$ theory: when the electromagnetic charge is $n$ times a primitive charge, the BPS index is a positive integer multiple of $(-1)^{n+1} n$. We also calculate BPS degeneracies in the Minahan-Nemeschansky $E_6$ theory for larger charges than were previously computed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Higher length-twist coordinates, generalized Heun's opers, and twisted superpotentials

In this paper we study a proposal of Nekrasov, Rosly and Shatashvili that describes the effective twisted superpotential obtained from a class S theory geometrically as a generating function in terms of certain complexified length-twist coordinates, and extend it to higher rank. First, we introduce a higher rank analogue of Fenchel-Nielsen type spectral networks in terms of a generalized Strebel condition. We find new systems of spectral coordinates through the abelianization method and argue that they are higher rank analogues of the Nekrasov-Rosly-Shatashvili Darboux coordinates. Second, we give an explicit parametrization of the locus of opers and determine the generating functions of this Lagrangian subvariety in terms of the higher rank Darboux coordinates in some specific examples. We find that the generating functions indeed agree with the known effective twisted superpotentials. Last, we relate the approach of Nekrasov, Rosly and Shatashvili to the approach using quantum periods via the exact WKB method.

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arXiv2016

BPS states in the Minahan-Nemeschansky E6 theory

We use the method of spectral networks to compute BPS state degeneracies in the Minahan-Nemeschansky $E_6$ theory, on its Coulomb branch, without turning on a mass deformation. The BPS multiplicities come out in representations of the $E_6$ flavor symmetry. For example, along the simplest ray in electromagnetic charge space, we give the first $14$ numerical degeneracies, and the first $7$ degeneracies as representations of $E_6$. We find a complicated spectrum, exhibiting exponential growth of multiplicities as a function of the electromagnetic charge. There is one unexpected outcome: the spectrum is consistent (in a nontrivial way) with the hypothesis of "spin purity," that if a BPS state in this theory has electromagnetic charge equal to $n$ times a primitive charge, then it appears in a spin-$\frac{n}{2}$ multiplet.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Spectral networks and Fenchel-Nielsen coordinates

We explain that spectral networks are a unifying framework that incorporates both shear (Fock-Goncharov) and length-twist (Fenchel-Nielsen) coordinate systems on moduli spaces of flat SL(2,C) connections, in the following sense. Given a spectral network W on a punctured Riemann surface C, we explain the process of "abelianization" which relates flat SL(2)-connections (with an additional structure called "W-framing") to flat C*-connections on a covering. For any W, abelianization gives a construction of a local Darboux coordinate system on the moduli space of W-framed flat connections. There are two special types of spectral network, combinatorially dual to ideal triangulations and pants decompositions; these two types of network lead to Fock-Goncharov and Fenchel-Nielsen coordinates respectively.

math.GT↗

arXiv2014

The superconformal index and an elliptic algebra of surface defects

In this paper we continue the study of the superconformal index of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories of class $\mathcal{S}$ in the presence of surface defects. Our main result is the construction of an algebra of difference operators, whose elements are labeled by irreducible representations of $A_{N-1}$. For the fully antisymmetric tensor representations these difference operators are the Hamiltonians of the elliptic Ruijsenaars-Schneider system. The structure constants of the algebra are elliptic generalizations of the Littlewood-Richardson coefficients. In the Macdonald limit, we identify the difference operators with local operators in the two-dimensional TQFT interpretation of the superconformal index. We also study the dimensional reduction to difference operators acting on the three-sphere partition function, where they characterize supersymmetric defects supported on a circle, and show that they are transformed to supersymmetric Wilson loops under mirror symmetry. Finally, we compare to the difference operators that create 't Hooft loops in the four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2^*$ theory on a four-sphere by embedding the three-dimensional theory as an S-duality domain wall.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Surface defects, the superconformal index and q-deformed Yang-Mills

Recently a prescription to compute the four-dimensional N = 2 superconformal index in the presence of certain BPS surface defects has been given. These surface defects are labelled by symmetric representations of SU(N). In the present paper we give a prescription to compute the superconformal index in the presence of surface defects labelled by arbitrary representations of SU(N). Furthermore, we extend the dictionary between the N = 2 superconformal Schur-index and correlators of q-deformed Yang-Mills to incorporate such surface defects.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Towards a 4d/2d correspondence for Sicilian quivers

We study the 4d/2d AGT correspondence between four-dimensional instanton counting and two-dimensional conformal blocks for generalized SU(2) quiver gauge theories coming from punctured Gaiotto curves of arbitrary genus. We propose a conformal block description that corresponds to the elementary SU(2) trifundamental half-hypermultiplet, and check it against Sp(1)-SO(4) instanton counting.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

From SO/Sp instantons to W-algebra blocks

We study instanton partition functions for N=2 superconformal Sp(1) and SO(4) gauge theories. We find that they agree with the corresponding U(2) instanton partitions functions only after a non-trivial mapping of the microscopic gauge couplings, since the instanton counting involves different renormalization schemes. Geometrically, this mapping relates the Gaiotto curves of the different realizations as double coverings. We then formulate an AGT-type correspondence between Sp(1)/SO(4) instanton partition functions and chiral blocks with an underlying W(2,2)-algebra symmetry. This form of the correspondence eliminates the need to divide out extra U(1) factors. Finally, to check this correspondence for linear quivers, we compute expressions for the Sp(1)-SO(4) half-bifundamental.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

Vortex Counting and Lagrangian 3-manifolds

To every 3-manifold M one can associate a two-dimensional N=(2,2) supersymmetric field theory by compactifying five-dimensional N=2 super-Yang-Mills theory on M. This system naturally appears in the study of half-BPS surface operators in four-dimensional N=2 gauge theories on one hand, and in the geometric approach to knot homologies, on the other. We study the relation between vortex counting in such two-dimensional N=(2,2) supersymmetric field theories and the refined BPS invariants of the dual geometries. In certain cases, this counting can be also mapped to the computation of degenerate conformal blocks in two-dimensional CFT's. Degenerate limits of vertex operators in CFT receive a simple interpretation via geometric transitions in BPS counting.

hep-th↗

arXiv2009

Topological Strings and Quantum Curves

This thesis presents several new insights on the interface between mathematics and theoretical physics, with a central role for fermions on Riemann surfaces. First of all, the duality between Vafa-Witten theory and WZW models is embedded into string theory. Secondly, this model is generalized to a web of dualities connecting topological string theory and N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories to a configuration of D-branes that intersect over a Riemann surface. This description yields a new perspective on topological string theory in terms of a KP integrable system based on a quantum curve. Thirdly, this thesis describes a geometric analysis of wall-crossing in N=4 string theory. And lastly, it offers a novel approach to construct metastable vacua in type IIB string theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2009

Quantum Curves and D-Modules

In this article we continue our study of chiral fermions on a quantum curve. This system is embedded in string theory as an I-brane configuration, which consists of D4 and D6-branes intersecting along a holomorphic curve in a complex surface, together with a B-field. Mathematically, it is described by a holonomic D-module. Here we focus on spectral curves, which play a prominent role in the theory of (quantum) integrable hierarchies. We show how to associate a quantum state to the I-brane system, and subsequently how to compute quantum invariants. As a first example, this yields an insightful formulation of (double scaled as well as general Hermitian) matrix models. Secondly, we formulate c=1 string theory in this language. Finally, our formalism elegantly reconstructs the complete dual Nekrasov-Okounkov partition function from a quantum Seiberg-Witten curve.

hep-th↗

arXiv2009

A Geometric Derivation of the Dyon Wall-Crossing Group

Recently, using supergravity analysis, a hyperbolic reflection group was found to underlie the structure of wall-crossing, or the discontinuous moduli dependence of the supersymmetric index due to the presence of walls of marginal stability, of the BPS dyons in the N=4, d=4 compactification. In this paper we work in the regime where four-dimensional gravity decouples and we show how the presence of such a group structure can be easily understood as a consequence of the supersymmetry of a system of (p,q) five-brane network, or equivalently the holomorphicity of the Riemann surface wrapped by the appropriate M5 branes in the Euclidean M-theory frame.

hep-th↗

arXiv2008

Nonsupersymmetric Flux Vacua and Perturbed N=2 Systems

We geometrically engineer N=2 theories perturbed by a superpotential by adding 3-form flux with support at infinity to local Calabi-Yau geometries in type IIB. This allows us to apply the formalism of Ooguri, Ookouchi, and Park [arXiv:0704.3613] to demonstrate that, by tuning the flux at infinity, we can stabilize the dynamical complex structure moduli in a metastable, supersymmetry-breaking configuration. Moreover, we argue that this setup can arise naturally as a limit of a larger Calabi-Yau which separates into two weakly interacting regions; the flux in one region leaks into the other, where it appears to be supported at infinity and induces the desired superpotential. In our endeavor to confirm this picture in cases with many 3-cycles, we also compute the CIV-DV prepotential for arbitrary number of cuts up to fifth order in the glueball fields.

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