PIRSA:15010132

Lie algebraic formulation of tt* equations and topological strings

APA

(2015). Lie algebraic formulation of tt* equations and topological strings. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. https://pirsa.org/15010132

MLA

Lie algebraic formulation of tt* equations and topological strings. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Jan. 22, 2015, https://pirsa.org/15010132

BibTex

          @misc{ scivideos_PIRSA:15010132,
            doi = {10.48660/15010132},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/15010132},
            author = {},
            keywords = {Quantum Fields and Strings},
            language = {en},
            title = {Lie algebraic formulation of tt* equations and topological strings},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics},
            year = {2015},
            month = {jan},
            note = {PIRSA:15010132 see, \url{https://scivideos.org/pirsa/15010132}}
          }
          
Talk numberPIRSA:15010132
Source RepositoryPIRSA

Abstract

The tt* equations define a flat connection on the moduli spaces of 2d, N=2 quantum field theories. For conformal theories with c=3d, which can be realized as nonlinear sigma models into Calabi-Yau d-folds, this flat connection is equivalent to special geometry for threefolds and to its analogs in other dimensions. I will show that the non-holomorphic content of the tt* equations in the cases d=1,2,3 is captured in terms of finitely many generators of special functions, which close under derivatives. The generators are understood as coordinates on a larger moduli space. This space parameterizes a freedom in choosing representatives of the chiral ring while preserving a constant topological metric. Geometrically, the freedom corresponds to a choice of forms on the target space respecting the Hodge filtration and having a constant pairing. Linear combinations of vector fields on that space are identified with generators of a Lie algebra. This Lie algebra replaces the anti-holomorphic derivatives of tt* and provides these with a finer and algebraic meaning. The generators of the differential rings of special functions are given by quasi-modular forms for d=1 and their generalizations in d=2,3. For d=3, this can be used to provide a purely Lie algebraic formulation of the higher genus topological string theory amplitudes and of the BCOV holomorphic anomaly equations which govern them.