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Aspects of Topological String Theory

Citation

Cook, Paul Langabi Hogan (2008) Aspects of Topological String Theory. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/X29T-G794. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05272008-225257

Abstract

Two aspects of the topological string and its applications are considered in this thesis. Firstly, non-perturbative contributions to the OSV conjecture relating four-dimensional extremal black holes and the closed topological string partition function are studied. A new technique is formulated for encapsulating these contributions for the case of a Calabi-Yau manifold constructed by fibering two line bundle over a torus, with the unexpected property that the resulting non-perturbative completion of the topological string partition function is such that the black hole partition function is equal to a product of a chiral and an anti-chiral function. This new approach is considered both in the context of the requirement of background independence for the topological string, and for more general Calabi-Yau manifolds. Secondly, this thesis provides a microscopic derivation of the open topological string holomorphic anomaly equations proposed by Walcher in arXiv:0705.4098 under the assumption that open string moduli do not contribute. In doing so, however, new anomalies are found for compact Calabi-Yau manifolds when the disk one-point functions (string to boundary amplitudes) are non-zero. These new anomalies introduce coupling to wrong moduli (complex structure moduli in A-model and Kahler moduli in B-model), and spoil the recursive structure of the holomorphic anomaly equations. For vanishing disk one-point functions, the open string holomorphic anomaly equations can be integrated to solve for amplitudes recursively, using a Feynman diagram approach, for which a proof is presented.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:baby universes; holomorphic anomaly equation; topological string theory
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Ooguri, Hirosi
Group:Caltech Theory
Thesis Committee:
  • Ooguri, Hirosi (chair)
  • Filippone, Bradley W.
  • Schwarz, John H.
  • Carroll, Sean M.
Defense Date:14 May 2008
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05272008-225257
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05272008-225257
DOI:10.7907/X29T-G794
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2174
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:02 Jun 2008
Last Modified:03 Dec 2019 22:30

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