Modular bootstrap for D4-D2-D0 indices on compact Calabi-Yau threefolds

TL;DR

This paper explores the modular properties of BPS state counting functions in string theory compactified on Calabi-Yau threefolds, proposing an Ansatz for their polar terms and analyzing their modularity and mock modularity.

Contribution

It introduces a new Ansatz for the polar terms of D4-D2-D0 indices and demonstrates how modularity constrains these generating series, predicting new Donaldson-Thomas invariants.

Findings

For 10 of 13 threefolds, the Ansatz yields integer Fourier coefficients.

The generating series for D4-D2-D0 states exhibit modular and mock modular behavior.

A construction for the $r=2$ case relates to Hurwitz class numbers and modular anomalies.

Abstract

We investigate the modularity constraints on the generating series $h_r(\tau)$ of BPS indices counting D4-D2-D0 bound states with fixed D4-brane charge $r$ in type IIA string theory compactified on complete intersection Calabi-Yau threefolds with $b_2 = 1$. For unit D4-brane, $h_1$ transforms as a (vector-valued) modular form under the action of $SL(2,Z)$ and thus is completely determined by its polar terms. We propose an Ansatz for these terms in terms of rank 1 Donaldson-Thomas invariants, which incorporates contributions from a single D6-anti-D6 pair. Using an explicit overcomplete basis of the relevant space of weakly holomorphic modular forms (valid for any $r$), we find that for 10 of the 13 allowed threefolds, the Ansatz leads to a solution for $h_1$ with integer Fourier coefficients, thereby predicting an infinite series of DT invariants.For $r > 1$, $h_r$ is mock modular and determined by its polar part together with its shadow. Restricting to $r = 2$, we use the generating series of Hurwitz class numbers to construct a series $h^{an}_2$ with exactly the same modular anomaly as $h_2$, so that the difference $h_{2}-h^{an}_2$ is an ordinary modular form fixed by its polar terms. For lack of a satisfactory Ansatz, we leave the determination of these polar terms as an open problem.