arXiv subjects

Mauricio Romo

Publications and source records attributed to Mauricio Romo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Aspects of (2,2) and (0,2) hybrid models

In this work we study the topological rings of two dimensional (2,2) and (0,2) hybrid models. In particular, we use localization to derive a formula for the correlators in both cases, focusing on the B- and B/2-twists. Although our methods apply to a vast range of hybrid CFTs, we focus on hybrid models suitable for compactifications of the heterotic string. In this case, our formula provides unnormalized Yukawa couplings of the spacetime superpotential. We apply our techniques to hybrid phases of linear models, and we find complete agreement with known results in other phases. We also obtain a prediction for a certain class of correlators involving twisted operators in (2,2) Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds. For (0,2) theories, our argument does not rely on the existence of a (2,2) locus. Finally, we derive vanishing conditions concerning worldsheet instanton corrections in (0,2) B/2-twisted hybrid models.

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arXiv2017

Cluster Partition Function and Invariants of 3-manifolds

We review some recent developments in Chern-Simons theory on a hyperbolic 3-manifold $M$ with complex gauge group $G$. We focus on the case $G=SL(N,\mathbb{C})$ and with $M$ a knot complement. The main result presented in this note is the cluster partition function, a computational tool that uses cluster algebra techniques to evaluate the Chern-Simons path integral. We also review various applications and open questions regarding the cluster partition function and some of its relation with string theory.

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arXiv2016

Hemisphere Partition Function and Analytic Continuation to the Conifold Point

We show that the hemisphere partition function for certain U(1) gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) with D-branes is related to a particular set of Mellin-Barnes integrals which can be used for analytic continuation to the singular point in the Kähler moduli space of an $h^{1,1}=1$ Calabi-Yau (CY) projective hypersurface. We directly compute the analytic continuation of the full quantum corrected central charge of a basis of geometric D-branes from the large volume to the singular point. In the mirror language this amounts to compute the analytic continuation of a basis of periods on the mirror CY to the conifold point. However, all calculations are done in the GLSM and we do not have to refer to the mirror CY. We apply our methods explicitly to the cubic, quartic and quintic CY hypersurfaces.

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arXiv2015

Aspects of Defects in 3d-3d Correspondence

In this paper we study supersymmetric co-dimension 2 and 4 defects in the compactification of the 6d $(2,0)$ theory of type $A_{N-1}$ on a 3-manifold $M$. The so-called 3d-3d correspondence is a relation between complexified Chern-Simons theory (with gauge group $SL(N, \mathbb{C})$) on $M$ and a 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory $T_{N}[M]$. We establish a dictionary for this correspondence in the presence of supersymmetric defects, which are knots/links inside the 3-manifold. Our study employs a number of different methods: state-integral models for complex Chern-Simons theory, cluster algebra techniques, domain wall theory $T[SU(N)]$, 5d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SYM, and also supergravity analysis through holography. These methods are complementary and we find agreement between them. In some cases the results lead to highly non-trivial predictions on the partition function. Our discussion includes a general expression for the cluster partition function, in particular for non-maximal punctures and $N>2$. We also highlight the non-Abelian description of the 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ $T_N[M]$ theory with defect included, as well as its Higgsing prescription and the resulting `refinement' in complex CS theory. This paper is a companion to our shorter paper arXiv:1510.03884, which summarizes our main results.

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arXiv2015

Taming Supersymmetric Defects in 3d-3d Correspondence

We study knots in 3d Chern-Simons theory with complex gauge group $SL(N,\mathbb{C})$, in the context of its relation with 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory (the so-called 3d-3d correspondence). The defect has either co-dimension 2 or co-dimension 4 inside the 6d $(2,0)$ theory, which is compactified on a 3-manifold $\hat{M}$. We identify such defects in various corners of the 3d-3d correspondence, namely in 3d $SL(N,\mathbb{C})$ Chern-Simons theory, in 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory, in 5d $\mathcal{N}=2$ super Yang-Mills theory, and in the M-theory holographic dual. We can make quantitative checks of the 3d-3d correspondence by computing partition functions at each of these theories. This Letter is a companion to a longer paper, which contains more details and more results.

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arXiv2013

Two-Sphere Partition Functions and Gromov-Witten Invariants

Many N=(2,2) two-dimensional nonlinear sigma models with Calabi-Yau target spaces admit ultraviolet descriptions as N=(2,2) gauge theories (gauged linear sigma models). We conjecture that the two-sphere partition function of such ultraviolet gauge theories -- recently computed via localization by Benini et al. and Doroud et al. -- yields the exact Kähler potential on the quantum Kähler moduli space for Calabi-Yau threefold target spaces. In particular, this allows one to compute the genus zero Gromov-Witten invariants for any such Calabi-Yau threefold without the use of mirror symmetry. More generally, when the infrared superconformal fixed point is used to compactify string theory, this provides a direct method to compute the spacetime Kähler potential of certain moduli (e.g., vector multiplet moduli in type IIA), exactly in α'. We compute these quantities for the quintic and for Rødland's Pfaffian Calabi-Yau threefold and find agreement with existing results in the literature. We then apply our methods to a codimension four determinantal Calabi-Yau threefold in P^7, recently given a nonabelian gauge theory description by the present authors, for which no mirror Calabi-Yau is currently known. We derive predictions for its Gromov-Witten invariants and verify that our predictions satisfy nontrivial geometric checks.

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arXiv2013

Exact Results In Two-Dimensional (2,2) Supersymmetric Gauge Theories With Boundary

We compute the partition function on the hemisphere of a class of two-dimensional (2,2) supersymmetric field theories including gauged linear sigma models. The result provides a general exact formula for the central charge of the D-brane placed at the boundary. It takes the form of Mellin-Barnes integral and the question of its convergence leads to the grade restriction rule concerning branes near the phase boundaries. We find expressions in various phases including the large volume formula in which a characteristic class called the Gamma class shows up. The two sphere partition function factorizes into two hemispheres glued by inverse to the annulus. The result can also be written in a form familiar in mirror symmetry, and suggests a way to find explicit mirror correspondence between branes.

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arXiv2012

Nonabelian 2D Gauge Theories for Determinantal Calabi-Yau Varieties

The two-dimensional supersymmetric gauged linear sigma model (GLSM) with abelian gauge groups and matter fields has provided many insights into string theory on Calabi--Yau manifolds of a certain type: complete intersections in toric varieties. In this paper, we consider two GLSM constructions with nonabelian gauge groups and charged matter whose infrared CFTs correspond to string propagation on determinantal Calabi-Yau varieties, furnishing another broad class of Calabi-Yau geometries in addition to complete intersections. We show that these two models -- which we refer to as the PAX and the PAXY model -- are dual descriptions of the same low-energy physics. Using GLSM techniques, we determine the quantum Kähler moduli space of these varieties and find no disagreement with existing results in the literature.

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arXiv2012

Unitary Chern-Simons matrix model and the Villain lattice action

We use the Villain approximation to show that the Gross-Witten model, in the weak- and strong-coupling limits, is related to the unitary matrix model that describes U(N) Chern-Simons theory on S^3. The weak-coupling limit corresponds to the q->1 limit of the Chern-Simons theory while the strong-coupling regime is related to the q->0 limit. In the latter case, there is a logarithmic relationship between the respective coupling constants. We also show how the Chern-Simons matrix model arises by considering two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory with the Villain action. This leads to a U(1)^N theory which is the Abelianization of 2d Yang-Mills theory with the heat-kernel lattice action. In addition, we show that the character expansion of the Villain lattice action gives the q deformation of the heat kernel as it appears in q-deformed 2d Yang-Mills theory. We also study the relationship between the unitary and Hermitian Chern-Simons matrix models and the rotation of the integration contour in the corresponding integrals.

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arXiv2011

SUSY Enhancements in (0,4) Deformations of AdS_3/CFT_2

We discuss a marginal deformation of the SL(2,R) x SU(2) x U(1)^4 WZW model, which describes string theory on AdS_3 x S^3 x T^4, that corresponds to warping the S^3 factor. This deformation breaks part of the N=(4,4) supersymmetry of the undeformed dual CFT to N=(0,4) supersymmetry. In the spirit of work by Giveon, Kutasov, and Seiberg, we construct the asymptotic spacetime symmetry algebra from worldsheet operators and find a restoration of (4,4) supersymmetry at discrete values of the deformation parameter. We explain this result from various perspectives: the worldsheet, supergravity, and from the singular D1-D5 CFT. The supergravity analysis includes an asymptotic symmetry computation of the level of the affine SU(2) R-symmetry, which arises purely from B-field contributions.

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arXiv2011

Monopole operators, moduli spaces and dualities

We develop semiclassical methods to analyze the spectrum of BPS monopole operators for superconformal field theories in three dimensions with N=2 supersymmetry. We show that the chiral ring of the theory results from the semiclassical holomorphic quantization of the solution of classical BPS equations of motion on the cylinder. We apply this formalism to various theories. We also use these techniques to compare the chiral rings of theories that might be related to each other via Seiberg dualities in four dimensions. We find that the change of basis transformations that generate dualities in four dimensions (homological operations) generically do not work in three dimensions in the presence of Chern-Simons terms. Instead, new theories generally arise this way. When dualities are possible, the Chern-Simons couplings need to satisfy certain arithmetic congruences. We also determine the spectrum of R-charges of the chiral ring operators by assembling them on a Hilbert series and by minimizing the coefficient of the maximum pole relative to the trial R-charge. This is related to volume minimization in theories with dual supergravity setups.

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arXiv2010

Aspects of ABJM orbifolds with discrete torsion

We analyze orbifolds with discrete torsion of the ABJM theory by a finite subgroup $Γ$ of $SU(2)\times SU(2)$ . Discrete torsion is implemented by twisting the crossed product algebra resulting after orbifolding. It is shown that, in general, the order $m$ of the cocycle we chose to twist the algebra by enters in a non trivial way in the moduli space. To be precise, the M-theory fiber is multiplied by a factor of $m$ in addition to the other effects that were found before in the literature. Therefore we got a $\mathbb{Z}_{\frac{k|Γ|}{m}}$ action on the fiber. We present a general analysis on how this quotient arises along with a detailed analysis of the cases where $Γ$ is abelian.

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arXiv2010

String Theory on Warped AdS_3 and Virasoro Resonances

We investigate aspects of holographic duals to time-like warped AdS_3 space-times--which include Gödel's universe--in string theory. Using worldsheet techniques similar to those that have been applied to AdS_3 backgrounds, we are able to identify space-time symmetry algebras that act on the dual boundary theory. In particular, we always find at least one Virasoro algebra with computable central charge. Interestingly, there exists a dense set of points in the moduli space of these models in which there is actually a second commuting Virasoro algebra, typically with different central charge than the first. We analyze the supersymmetry of the backgrounds, finding related enhancements, and comment on possible interpretations of these results. We also perform an asymptotic symmetry analysis at the level of supergravity, providing additional support for the worldsheet analysis.

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arXiv2009

Aspects of ABJM orbifolds

We study abelian and non-abelian orbifolds of the ABJM model. We compute the precise moduli space of these models by analyzing the classical BPS equations for the theory on the cylinder, which include classical solutions of magnetic monopole operators. These determine the chiral ring of the theory, and thus they provide the complete set of order parameters determining the classical vacua of the theory. We show that the proper quantization of these semiclassical solutions gives us the topology of moduli space, including the additional quotient information due to the Chern-Simons levels. In general, we find that in the dual M-theory setup, the M-theory fiber is divided by the product of the Chern-Simons level times the order of the orbifold group, even in the non-abelian case. This depends non-trivially on how the different Chern-Simons terms have different levels in these constructions. We also see a direct relation in this setup between the Chern-Simons levels of the different groups and fluxes for fractional brane cycles. We also show that the problem of the moduli space can be much more easily analyzed by using the method of images and representation theory of crossed product algebras rather than dealing only with the quiver theory data.

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arXiv2008

Supersymmetric Gödel and warped black holes in string theory

It is observed that three-dimensional Gödel black holes can be promoted to exact string theory backgrounds through an orbifold of an hyperbolic asymmetric marginal deformation of the SL(2,R) WZW model. Tachyons are found in the spectrum of long strings. Uplifting these solutions in type IIB supergravity, extremal black holes are shown to preserve one supersymmetry in accordance with the BTZ limit. We also make connections with some recently discussed warped black hole solutions of topologically massive gravity, showing that they actually correspond to quotients of spacelike squashed AdS_3.

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arXiv2008

Local supersymmetric extensions of the Poincare and AdS invariant gravity

In all the odd dimensions which allow Majorana spinors, we consider a gravitational Lagrangian possessing local Poincare invariance and given by the dimensional continuation of the Euler density in one dimension less. We show that the local supersymmetric extension of this Lagrangian requires the algebra to be the maximal extension of the N=1 super-Poincare algebra. By maximal, we mean that in the right hand side of the anticommutator of the Majorana super charge appear all the possible central charges. The resulting action defines a Chern-Simons gauge theory for the maximal extension of the super-Poincare algebra. In these dimensions, we address the same problem for the AdS invariant gravity and we derive its supersymmetric extension for the minimal super-AdS algebra. The connection between both models is realized at the algebraic level through an expansion of their corresponding Lie super algebras. Within a procedure consistent with the expansion of the algebras, the local supersymmetric extension of the Poincare invariant gravity Lagrangian is derived from the super AdS one.

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arXiv2007

Killing spinors on supersymmetric P-branes

A class of p-brane solutions for supersymmetric gravity theories with negative cosmological constant are proposed and analyzed. The solutions are purely bosonic and contain a worldsheet and a transverse section. The classification relays on the number of intrinsic Killing spinors on the worldsheet and the transverse section. A explicit discussion of the classification is performed for the four dimensional worldsheet case.

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arXiv2007

Compactification in first order gravity

The Kaluza-Klein compactification process is applied in five dimensions to CS gravity, for the anti-de Sitter and Poincaré groups, using the first order formalism. In this context some solutions are found and analyzed. Also, the conserved charges associated to the solutions are computed.

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