Algebraic structure of t\,t* equations for Calabi-Yau sigma models

\(tt^*\) equations Calabi-Yau manifolds conformal deformation bundle Hodge filtration non-linear sigma-models quasi-modular forms Ramond ground states special geometry

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Variation of Hodge structures (algebro-geometric aspects) (14D07) Calabi-Yau manifolds (algebro-geometric aspects) (14J32)

Abstract: The

t t^{*}

equations define a flat connection on the moduli spaces of

2 d, m a t h c a l N = 2

quantum field theories. For conformal theories with

c = 3 d

, 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. We show that the non-holomorphic content of the

t t^{*}

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 non-holomorphic derivatives of

t t^{*}

and provides these with a finer and algebraic meaning. For sigma models into lattice polarized

K 3

manifolds, the differential ring of special functions on the moduli space is constructed, extending known structures for

d = 1

and 3. 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

. Some explicit examples are worked out including the case of the mirror of the quartic in

C P^{3}

, where due to further algebraic constraints, the differential ring coincides with quasi modular forms.

Review text

The \(tt^*\) equations were introduced in [Nucl. Phys., B 367, No. 2, 359--461 (1991; Zbl 1136.81403)] by \textit{S. Cecotti} and \textit{C. Vafa} to describe the variation of the ground states of \(2\)D, \(\mathcal{N}=2\) quantum field theories. When the theories are superconformal they can be realized as non-linear sigma-models with Calabi-Yau targets to whose special geometry \(tt^*\) equations are equivalent, and into whose cohomology the chiral rings of the theories translate. On a subset of the chiral ring the \(tt^*\) equations describe the variation of Hodge structure. The purpose of this paper is to give a holomorphic/algebraic formulation of the non-holomorphic content of the \(tt^*\) connection restricted to the conformal deformation directions for Calabi-Yau targets of dimensions 1, 2 and 3. The idea is to provide more rigorous approach to these equations, make explicit their symmetries and connections to some integrable systems (known in special cases), and to Nekrasov's deformation corrections to string amplitudes in geometrically engineered \(4\)D, \(\mathcal{N}=2\) gauge theories. For the mirror quintic, {\S. Yamaguchi} and \textit{S. Yau} [``Topological string partition functions as polynomials. J. High Energy Phys. 2004, No. 7, Paper No. 047 (2004)] showed that the non-holomorphic content is captured by finitely many functions closed under derivatives, for the elliptic curve the corresponding functions are the classical quasi-modular forms. The author develops an extension of these differential rings to the moduli of lattice polarized \(K3\) manifolds, and gives explicitly the constraints on the Kähler metric imposed by the flatness of the \(tt^*\) equations for the elliptic curve, which transfers to lattice polarized \(K3\) manifolds. The generators of the rings parametrize the moduli \(T\) of the Calabi-Yau enhanced by differential forms that respect the Hodge filtration and the constant pairing, which has 3 dimensions instead of the usual 1 (it was introduced by Movasati for the elliptic curve). The constant pairing is symplectic for \(d=1,3\) and symmetric for \(d=2\), and \(T\) corresponds to choosing the elements of the chiral ring that lie in the conformal deformation bundle, which in its turn corresponds to a subset of Ramond ground states of the theory with the spectral flow. Linear combinations of vector fields along the generators on \(T\) support a Lie algebra structure, which replaces the non-holomorphic derivatives of the \(tt^*\) equations and gives them an algebraic expression. In examples, e.g. the mirror quartic in \(\mathbb{P}^3\), coordinates on \(T\) are shown to correspond to quasi-modular forms and their generalizations.

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