Superpotentials from Singular Divisors

TL;DR

This paper extends the understanding of superpotential contributions from singular divisors in Calabi-Yau compactifications by generalizing fermion zero mode counting to singular cases and exploring their modular properties.

Contribution

It introduces a method to count fermion zero modes on singular divisors via normalization and analyzes the resulting superpotentials, revealing modular symmetries and dualities.

Findings

Singular divisors can contribute to superpotentials if their normalizations are rigid.

Superpotentials are expressed as Jacobi theta functions with modular symmetries.

Infinite effective cones and monodromy groups influence the structure of nonperturbative effects.

Abstract

We study Euclidean D3-branes wrapping divisors $D$ in Calabi-Yau orientifold compactifications of type IIB string theory. Witten's counting of fermion zero modes in terms of the cohomology of the structure sheaf $\mathcal{O}_D$ applies when $D$ is smooth, but we argue that effective divisors of Calabi-Yau threefolds typically have singularities along rational curves. We generalize the counting of fermion zero modes to such singular divisors, in terms of the cohomology of the structure sheaf $\mathcal{O}_{\overline{D}}$ of the normalization $\overline{D}$ of $D$. We establish this by detailing compactifications in which the singularities can be unwound by passing through flop transitions, giving a physical incarnation of the normalization process. Analytically continuing the superpotential through the flops, we find that singular divisors whose normalizations are rigid can contribute to the superpotential: specifically, $h^{\bullet}_{+}(\mathcal{O}_{\overline{D}})=(1,0,0)$ and $h^{\bullet}_{-}(\mathcal{O}_{\overline{D}})=(0,0,0)$ give a sufficient condition for a contribution. The examples that we present feature infinitely many isomorphic geometric phases, with corresponding infinite-order monodromy groups $\Gamma$. We use the action of $\Gamma$ on effective divisors to determine the exact effective cones, which have infinitely many generators. The resulting nonperturbative superpotentials are Jacobi theta functions, whose modular symmetries suggest the existence of strong-weak coupling dualities involving inversion of divisor volumes.