arXiv subjects

Rahul Pandharipande

Publications and source records attributed to Rahul Pandharipande.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

The Chern classes of the Verlinde bundles

A formula for the first Chern class of the Verlinde bundle over the moduli space of smooth genus g curves is given. A finite-dimensional argument is presented in rank 2 using geometric symmetries obtained from strange duality, relative Serre duality, and Wirtinger duality together with the projective flatness of the Hitchin connection. A derivation using conformal-block methods is presented in higher rank. An expression for the first Chern class over the compact moduli space of curves is obtained.

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arXiv2016

Relations in the tautological ring of the moduli space of K3 surfaces

We study the interplay of the moduli of curves and the moduli of K3 surfaces via the virtual class of the moduli spaces of stable maps. Using Getzler's relation in genus 1, we construct a universal decomposition of the diagonal in Chow in the third fiber product of the universal K3 surface. The decomposition has terms supported on Noether-Lefschetz loci which are not visible in the Beauville-Voisin decomposition for a fixed K3 surface. As a result of our universal decomposition, we prove the conjecture of Marian-Oprea-Pandharipande: the full tautological ring of the moduli space of K3 surfaces is generated in Chow by the classes of the Noether-Lefschetz loci. Explicit boundary relations are constructed for all kappa classes. More generally, we propose a connection between relations in the tautological ring of the moduli spaces of curves and relations in the tautological ring of the moduli space of K3 surfaces. The WDVV relation in genus 0 is used in our proof of the MOP conjecture.

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arXiv2016

Segre classes and Hilbert schemes of points

We prove a closed formula for the integrals of the top Segre classes of tautological bundles over the Hilbert schemes of points of a K3 surface X. We derive relations among the Segre classes via equivariant localization of the virtual fundamental classes of Quot schemes on X. The resulting recursions are then solved explicitly. The formula proves the K-trivial case of a conjecture of M. Lehn from 1999. The relations determining the Segre classes fit into a much wider theory. By localizing the virtual classes of certain relative Quot schemes on surfaces, we obtain new systems of relations among tautological classes on moduli spaces of surfaces and their relative Hilbert schemes of points. For the moduli of K3 sufaces, we produce relations intertwining the kappa classes and the Noether-Lefschetz loci. Conjectures are proposed.

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arXiv2016

The moduli space of twisted canonical divisors

The moduli space of canonical divisors (with prescribed zeros and poles) on nonsingular curves is not compact since the curve may degenerate. We define a proper moduli space of twisted canonical divisors in the moduli space of Deligne-Mumford stable pointed curves which includes the space of canonical divisors as an open subset. The theory leads to geometric/combinatorial constraints on the closures of the moduli spaces of canonical divisors. In case the differentials have at least one pole (the strictly meromorphic case), the moduli spaces of twisted canonical divisors on genus g curves are of pure codimension g in the moduli spaces of stable pointed curves. In addition to the closure of the canonical divisors on nonsingular curves, the moduli spaces have virtual components. In the Appendix, a complete proposal relating the sum of the fundamental classes of all components (with intrinsic multiplicities) to a formula of Pixton is proposed. The result is a precise and explicit conjecture in the tautological ring for the weighted fundamental class of the moduli spaces of twisted canonical divisors. As a consequence of the conjecture, the classes of the closures of the moduli spaces of canonical divisors on nonsingular curves are determined (both in the holomorphic and meromorphic cases).

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arXiv2015

Relations on Mbar_{g,n} via 3-spin structures

Witten's class on the moduli space of 3-spin curves defines a (non-semisimple) cohomological field theory. After a canonical modification, we construct an associated semisimple CohFT with a non-trivial vanishing property obtained from the homogeneity of Witten's class. Using the classification of semisimple CohFTs by Givental-Teleman, we derive two main results. The first is an explicit formula in the tautological ring of Mbar_{g,n} for Witten's class. The second, using the vanishing property, is the construction of relations in the tautological ring of Mbar_{g,n}. Pixton has previously conjectured a system of tautological relations on Mbar_{g,n} (which extends the established Faber-Zagier relations on M_g). Our 3-spin construction exactly yields Pixton's conjectured relations. As the classification of CohFTs is a topological result depending upon the Madsen-Weiss theorem (Mumford's conjecture), our construction proves relations in cohomology. The study of Witten's class and the associated tautological relations for r-spin curves via a parallel strategy will be taken up in a following paper.

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arXiv2010

New topological recursion relations

Simple boundary expressions for the k-th power of the cotangent line class on the moduli space of stable 1-pointed genus g curves are found for k >= 2g. The method is by virtual localization on the moduli space of maps to the projective line. As a consequence, nontrivial tautological classes in the kernel of the push-forward map associated to the irreducible boundary divisor of the moduli space of stable g+1 curves are constructed. The geometry of genus g+1 curves then provides universal equations in genus g Gromov-Witten theory. As an application, we prove all the Gromov-Witten identities conjectured recently by K. Liu and H. Xu.

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arXiv2009

The tropical vertex

Elements of the tropical vertex group, introduced by Kontsevich and Soibelman, are formal families of symplectomorphisms of the 2-dimensional algebraic torus. We prove ordered product factorizations in the tropical vertex group are equivalent to calculations of certain genus 0 relative Gromov-Witten invariants of toric surfaces. The relative invariants which arise have full tangency to a toric divisor at a single unspecified point. The method uses scattering diagrams, tropical curve counts, degeneration formulas, and exact multiple cover calculations in orbifold Gromov-Witten theory.

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arXiv2009

On the rigidity of stable maps to Calabi-Yau threefolds

If X is a nonsingular curve in a Calabi--Yau threefold Y whose normal bundle N_{X/Y} is a generic semistable bundle, are the local Gromov-Witten invariants of X well defined? For X of genus two or higher, the issues are subtle. We will formulate a precise line of inquiry and present some results, some positive and some negative.

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arXiv2006

The local Gromov-Witten theory of curves

The local Gromov-Witten theory of curves is solved by localization and degeneration methods. Localization is used for the exact evaluation of basic integrals in the local Gromov-Witten theory of P^1. A TQFT formalism is defined via degeneration to capture higher genus curves. Together, the results provide a compete and effective solution. The local Gromov-Witten theory of curves is equivalent to the local Donaldson-Thomas theory of curves, the quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme points of C^2, and the orbifold quantum cohomology the symmetric product of C^2. The results of the paper provide the local Gromov-Witten calculations required for the proofs of these equivalences.

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arXiv2005

The orbifold quantum cohomology of C^2/Z_3 and Hurwitz-Hodge integrals

Let Z_3 act on C^2 by non-trivial opposite characters. Let X =[C^2/Z_3] be the orbifold quotient, and let Y be the unique crepant resolution. We show the equivariant genus 0 Gromov-Witten potentials of X and Y are equal after a change of variables -- verifying the Crepant Resolution Conjecture for the pair (X,Y). Our computations involve Hodge integrals on trigonal Hurwitz spaces which are of independent interest. In a self contained Appendix, we derive closed formulas for these Hurwitz-Hodge integrals.

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arXiv2004

Curves in Calabi-Yau 3-folds and Topological Quantum Field Theory

We continue our study of the local Gromov-Witten invariants of curves in Calabi-Yau 3-folds. We define relative invariants for the local theory which give rise to a 1+1-dimensional TQFT taking values in the ring Q[[t]]. The associated Frobenius algebra over Q[[t]] is semisimple. Consequently, we obtain a structure result for the local invariants. As an easy consequence of our structure formula, we recover the closed formulas for the local invariants in case either the target genus or the degree equals 1.

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arXiv2003

The theta characteristic of a branched covering

We give a group-theoretic description of the parity of a pull-back of a theta characteristic under a branched covering. It involves lifting monodromy of the covering to the semidirect product of the symmetric and Clifford groups, known as the Sergeev group. As an application, we enumerate torus coverings with respect to their ramification and parity and, in particular, show that the corresponding all-degree generating functions are quasimodular forms.

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arXiv2003

Virasoro constraints for target curves

We prove generalized Virasoro constraints for the relative Gromov-Witten theories of all nonsingular target curves. Descendents of the even cohomology classes are studied first by localization, degeneration, and completed cycle methods. Descendents of the odd cohomology are then controlled by monodromy and geometric vanishing relations. As an outcome of our results, the relative theories of target curves are completely and explicitly determined.

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arXiv2002

The equivariant Gromov-Witten theory of P^1

We express all equivariant Gromov-Witten invariants of the projective line as matrix elements of explicit operators acting in the Fock space. As a consequence, we prove the equivariant theory is governed by the 2-Toda hierarchy of Ueno and Takasaki. This is the second in a sequence of three papers devoted to the Gromov-Witten theory of nonsingular target curves (the first paper of the series is math.AG/0204305).

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arXiv2002

Multipoint series of Gromov-Witten invariants of CP^1

We give explicit formulas for the multipoint series of Gromov-Witten invariants of CP^1. We use the recursions of the Toda hierarchy to calculate these in degree 0, and the Toda equation and the degree 0 formulas to extend the calculation to higher degrees. We also obtain formulas for the Hodge series for the Hodge classes lambda_g and lambda_{g-1}.

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arXiv2002

BPS states of curves in Calabi--Yau 3--folds

The Gopakumar-Vafa conjecture is defined and studied for the local geometry of a curve in a Calabi-Yau 3-fold. The integrality predicted in Gromov-Witten theory by the Gopakumar-Vafa BPS count is verified in a natural series of cases in this local geometry. The method involves Gromov-Witten computations, Mobius inversion, and a combinatorial analysis of the numbers of etale covers of a curve.

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arXiv2002

Gromov-Witten theory, Hurwitz theory, and completed cycles

We establish an explicit equivalence between the stationary sector of the Gromov-Witten theory of a target curve X and the enumeration of Hurwitz coverings of X in the basis of completed cycles. The stationary sector is formed, by definition, by the descendents of the point class. Completed cycles arise naturally in the theory of shifted symmetric functions. Using this equivalence, we give a complete description of the stationary Gromov-Witten theory of the projective line and elliptic curve. Toda equations for the relative stationary theory of the projective line are derived.

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arXiv2001

Gromov-Witten theory, Hurwitz numbers, and Matrix models, I

The main goal of the paper is to present a new approach via Hurwitz numbers to Kontsevich's combinatorial/matrix model for the intersection theory of the moduli space of curves. A secondary goal is to present an exposition of the circle of ideas involved: Hurwitz numbers, Gromov-Witten theory of the projective line, matrix integrals, and the theory of random trees. Further topics will be treated in a sequel.

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