Integration over the \(u\)-plane in Donaldson theory (Q1389115)

The authors obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the relation between the Donaldson invariants and the physics of \({\mathcal N} =2\) supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. In particular, they explain the role of the \(u\)-plane in Donaldson theory, both for smooth 4-manifolds \(X\) of \(b^+_2 (X)=1\) and for smooth 4-manifolds \(X\) of \(b^+_2 (X)>1\) which are not of simple type. Analyzing the \(u\)-plane contribution to Donaldson invariants of \(X\), it is shown that for the latter case this contribution vanishes, but for the former the Donaldson invariants must be written as the sum of a \(u\)-plane integral and a Seiberg-Witten contribution. The relation of Donaldson invariants to SW theory has been generalized to 4-manifolds not of simple type, and interesting formulas are obtained for the class numbers of imaginary quadratic fields. Finally, the authors show how the results generalize to extensions of Donaldson theory obtained by including hypermultiple matter fields.