B-Model Approaches to Instanton Counting

TL;DR

This paper explores the connection between instanton partition functions and topological string partition functions within the B-model framework, highlighting how instanton counts solve holomorphic anomaly equations in N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories.

Contribution

It establishes a novel link between instanton counting and topological string theory via the B-model, providing new insights into their mathematical relationship.

Findings

Instanton partition functions solve holomorphic anomaly equations.

The B-model perspective clarifies the relation between gauge theories and topological strings.

Provides a review of exact results in N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories.

Abstract

This is the 13th article in the collection of reviews "Exact results in N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories", ed. J. Teschner. It discusses the relation between the instanton partition functions and the partition function of the topological string from the perspective of the B-model. The instanton partition functions provide solutions to the holomorphic anomaly equations characterising the partition functions of the topological string.