arXiv subjects

Michele Cirafici

Publications and source records attributed to Michele Cirafici.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observers, local measurements, and topology

An observer which propagates in a spacetime with dynamical gravity has access to an algebra of observables which is expected to be a von Neumann algebra with a trace. The observer can use projections from the algebra to perform local measurements. By using this fact we construct a simplicial complex out of measurements recorded on the worldline of the observer and we propose that such a complex captures topological information about spacetime, even when this is fluctuating.

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arXiv2025

Gravitational algebras and applications to nonequilibrium physics

This note aims to offer a non-technical and self-contained introduction to gravitational algebras and their applications in the nonequilibrium physics of gravitational systems. We begin by presenting foundational concepts from operator algebra theory and exploring their relevance to perturbative quantum gravity. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of the theory of nonequilibrium dynamical systems in finite dimensions and discuss its generalization to gravitational algebras. Specifically, we focus on entropy production in black hole backgrounds and fluctuation theorems in de Sitter spacetime.

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arXiv2024

Fluctuation theorems, quantum channels and gravitational algebras

In this note we study nonequilibrium fluctuations in gravitational algebras within de Sitter space. An essential aspect of this study is quantum measurement theory, which allows us to access the dynamical fluctuations of observables via a two-point measurement scheme. Using this formalism, we establish specific fluctuation theorems. Additionally, we demonstrate that quantum channels are represented by subfactors, using the relationship between measurement theory and quantum channels. We also comment on implementing a quantum channel using Jones' theory of subfactors.

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arXiv2024

On the Nonequilibrium Dynamics of Gravitational Algebras

We explore nonequilibrium features of certain operator algebras which appear in quantum gravity. The algebra of observables in a black hole background is a Type $\mathrm{II}_\infty$ von Neumann algebra. We discuss how this algebra can be coupled to the algebra of observable of an infinite reservoir within the canonical ensemble, aiming to induce nonequilibrium dynamics. The resulting dynamics can lead the system towards a nonequilibrium steady state which can be characterized through modular theory. Within this framework we address the definition of entropy production and its relationship to relative entropy, alongside exploring other applications.

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arXiv2023

Hodge-Elliptic genera, K3 surfaces and Enumerative Geometry

K3 surfaces play a prominent role in string theory and algebraic geometry. The properties of their enumerative invariants have important consequences in black hole physics and in number theory. To a K3 surface string theory associates an Elliptic genus, a certain partition function directly related to the theory of Jacobi modular forms. A multiplicative lift of the Elliptic genus produces another modular object, an Igusa cusp form, which is the generating function of BPS invariants of K3 x E. In this note we will discuss a refinement of this chain of ideas. The Elliptic genus can be generalized to the so called Hodge-Elliptic genus which is then related to the counting of refined BPS states of K3 x E. We show how such BPS invariants can be computed explicitly in terms of different versions of the Hodge-Elliptic genus, sometimes in closed form, and discuss some generalizations.

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arXiv2022

On the M2-Brane Index on Noncommutative Crepant Resolutions

On certain M-theory backgrounds which are a circle fibration over a smooth Calabi-Yau, the quantum theory of M2 branes can be studied in terms of the K-theoretic Donaldson-Thomas theory on the threefold. We extend this relation to noncommutative crepant resolutions. In this case the threefold develops a singularity and classical smooth geometry is replaced by the algebra of paths of a certain quiver. K-theoretic quantities on the quiver representation moduli space can be computed via toric localization and result in certain rational functions of the toric parameters. We discuss in particular the case of the conifold and certain orbifold singularities.

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arXiv2021

A note on discrete dynamical systems in theories of class $S$

In this note we consider the set of line operators in theories of class $S$. We show that this set carries the action of a natural discrete dynamical system associated with the BPS spectrum. We discuss several applications of this perspective; the relation with global properties of the theory; the set of constraints imposed on the spectrum generator, in particular for the case of SU(2) $\mathcal{N}=2^*$; and the relation between line defects and certain spherical Double Affine Hecke Algebras.

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arXiv2019

Quantum Line Defects and Refined BPS Spectra

In this note we study refined BPS invariants associated with certain quantum line defects in quantum field theories of class $\mathcal{S}$. Such defects can be specified via geometric engineering in the UV by assigning a path on a certain curve. In the IR they are described by framed BPS quivers. We study the associated BPS spectral problem, including the spin content. The relevant BPS invariants arise from the K-theoretic enumerative geometry of the moduli spaces of quiver representations, adapting a construction by Nekrasov and Okounkov. In particular refined framed BPS states are described via Euler characteristics of certain complexes of sheaves.

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arXiv2019

BPS Spectra, Barcodes and Walls

BPS spectra give important insights into the non-perturbative regimes of supersymmetric theories. Often from the study of BPS states one can infer properties of the geometrical or algebraic structures underlying such theories. In this paper we approach this problem from the perspective of persistent homology. Persistent homology is at the base of topological data analysis, which aims at extracting topological features out of a set of points. We use these techniques to investigate the topological properties which characterize the spectra of several supersymmetric models in field and string theory. We discuss how such features change upon crossing walls of marginal stability in a few examples. Then we look at the topological properties of the distributions of BPS invariants in string compactifications on compact threefolds, used to engineer black hole microstates. Finally we discuss the interplay between persistent homology and modularity by considering certain number theoretical functions used to count dyons in string compactifications and by studying equivariant elliptic genera in the context of the Mathieu moonshine.

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arXiv2018

On Framed Quivers, BPS Invariants and Defects

In this note we review some of the uses of framed quivers to study BPS invariants of Donaldson-Thomas type. We will mostly focus on non-compact Calabi-Yau threefolds. In certain cases the study of these invariants can be approached as a generalized instanton problem in a six dimensional cohomological Yang-Mills theory. One can construct a quantum mechanics model based on a certain framed quiver which locally describes the theory around a generalized instanton solution. The problem is then reduced to the study of the moduli spaces of representations of these quivers. Examples include the affine space and noncommutative crepant resolutions of orbifold singularities. In the second part of the survey we introduce the concepts of defects in physics and argue with a few examples that they give rise to a modified Donaldson-Thomas problem. We mostly focus on divisor defects in six dimensional Yang-Mills theory and their relation with the moduli spaces of parabolic sheaves. In certain cases also this problem can be reformulated in terms of framed quivers.

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arXiv2017

Quivers, Line Defects and Framed BPS Invariants

A large class of N=2 quantum field theories admits a BPS quiver description and the study of their BPS spectra is then reduced to a representation theory problem. In such theories the coupling to a line defect can be modelled by framed quivers. The associated spectral problem characterises the line defect completely. Framed BPS states can be thought of as BPS particles bound to the defect. We identify the framed BPS degeneracies with certain enumerative invariants associated with the moduli spaces of stable quiver representations. We develop a formalism based on equivariant localization to compute explicitly such BPS invariants, for a particular choice of stability condition. Our framework gives a purely combinatorial solution of this problem. We detail our formalism with several explicit examples.

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arXiv2017

Discrete Integrable Systems, Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics, and Framed BPS States - I

It is possible to understand whether a given BPS spectrum is generated by a relevant deformation of a 4D N=2 SCFT or of an asymptotically free theory from the periodicity properties of the corresponding quantum monodromy. With the aim of giving a better understanding of the above conjecture, in this paper we revisit the description of framed BPS states of four-dimensional relativistic quantum field theories with eight conserved supercharges in terms of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. We unveil aspects of the deep interrelationship in between the Seiberg-dualities of the latter, the discrete symmetries of the theory in the bulk, and quantum discrete integrable systems.

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arXiv2015

Persistent Homology and String Vacua

We use methods from topological data analysis to study the topological features of certain distributions of string vacua. Topological data analysis is a multi-scale approach used to analyze the topological features of a dataset by identifying which homological characteristics persist over a long range of scales. We apply these techniques in several contexts. We analyze N=2 vacua by focusing on certain distributions of Calabi-Yau varieties and Landau-Ginzburg models. We then turn to flux compactifications and discuss how we can use topological data analysis to extract physical informations. Finally we apply these techniques to certain phenomenologically realistic heterotic models. We discuss the possibility of characterizing string vacua using the topological properties of their distributions.

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arXiv2014

Indefinite theta functions and black hole partition functions

We explore various aspects of supersymmetric black hole partition functions in four-dimensional toroidally compactified heterotic string theory. These functions suffer from divergences owing to the hyperbolic nature of the charge lattice in this theory, which prevents them from having well-defined modular transformation properties. In order to rectify this, we regularize these functions by converting the divergent series into indefinite theta functions, thereby obtaining fully regulated single-centered black hole partitions functions.

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arXiv2014

Indefinite theta functions for counting attractor backgrounds

In this note, we employ indefinite theta functions to regularize canonical partition functions for single-center dyonic BPS black holes. These partition functions count dyonic degeneracies in the Hilbert space of four-dimensional toroidally compactified heterotic string theory, graded by electric and magnetic charges. The regularization is achieved by viewing the weighted sums of degeneracies as sums over charge excitations in the near-horizon attractor geometry of an arbitrarily chosen black hole background, and eliminating the unstable modes. This enables us to rewrite these sums in terms of indefinite theta functions. Background independence is then implemented by using the transformation property of indefinite theta functions under elliptic transformations, while modular transformations are used to make contact with semi-classical results in supergravity.

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arXiv2013

Line defects and (framed) BPS quivers

The BPS spectrum of certain N=2 supersymmetric field theories can be determined algebraically by studying the representation theory of BPS quivers. We introduce methods based on BPS quivers to study line defects. The presence of a line defect opens up a new BPS sector: framed BPS states can be bound to the defect. The defect can be geometrically described in terms of laminations on a curve. To a lamination we associate certain elements of the Leavitt path algebra of the BPS quiver and use them to compute the framed BPS spectrum. We also provide an alternative characterization of line defects by introducing framed BPS quivers. Using the theory of (quantum) cluster algebras, we derive an algorithm to compute the framed BPS spectra of new defects from known ones. Line defects are generated from a framed BPS quiver by applying certain sequences of mutation operations. Framed BPS quivers also behave nicely under a set of "cut and join" rules, which can be used to study how N=2 systems with defects couple to produce more complicated ones. We illustrate our formalism with several examples.

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arXiv2013

Defects in Cohomological Gauge Theory and Donaldson-Thomas Invariants

Donaldson-Thomas theory on a Calabi-Yau can be described in terms of a certain six-dimensional cohomological gauge theory. We introduce a certain class of defects in this gauge theory which generalize surface defects in four dimensions. These defects are associated with divisors and are defined by prescribing certain boundary conditions for the gauge fields. We discuss generalized instanton moduli spaces when the theory is defined with a defect and propose a generalization of Donaldson-Thomas invariants. These invariants arise by studying torsion free coherent sheaves on Calabi-Yau varieties with a certain parabolic structure along a divisor, determined by the defect. We discuss the case of the affine space as a concrete example. In this case the moduli space of parabolic sheaves admits an alternative description in terms of the representation theory of a certain quiver. The latter can be used to compute the invariants explicitly via equivariant localization. We also briefly discuss extensions of our work to other higher dimensional field theories.

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arXiv2013

Curve counting, instantons and McKay correspondences

We survey some features of equivariant instanton partition functions of topological gauge theories on four and six dimensional toric Kahler varieties, and their geometric and algebraic counterparts in the enumerative problem of counting holomorphic curves. We discuss the relations of instanton counting to representations of affine Lie algebras in the four-dimensional case, and to Donaldson-Thomas theory for ideal sheaves on Calabi-Yau threefolds. For resolutions of toric singularities, an algebraic structure induced by a quiver determines the instanton moduli space through the McKay correspondence and its generalizations. The correspondence elucidates the realization of gauge theory partition functions as quasi-modular forms, and reformulates the computation of noncommutative Donaldson-Thomas invariants in terms of the enumeration of generalized instantons. New results include a general presentation of the partition functions on ALE spaces as affine characters, a rigorous treatment of equivariant partition functions on Hirzebruch surfaces, and a putative connection between the special McKay correspondence and instanton counting on Hirzebruch-Jung spaces.

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