No Arabic abstract
For a nonsingular projective 3-fold $X$, we define integer invariants virtually enumerating pairs $(C,D)$ where $Csubset X$ is an embedded curve and $Dsubset C$ is a divisor. A virtual class is constructed on the associated moduli space by viewing a pair as an object in the derived category of $X$. The resulting invariants are conjecturally equivalent, after universal transformations, to both the Gromov-Witten and DT theories of $X$. For Calabi-Yau 3-folds, the latter equivalence should be viewed as a wall-crossing formula in the derived category. Several calculations of the new invariants are carried out. In the Fano case, the local contributions of nonsingular embedded curves are found. In the local toric Calabi-Yau case, a completely new form of the topological vertex is described. The virtual enumeration of pairs is closely related to the geometry underlying the BPS state counts of Gopakumar and Vafa. We prove that our integrality predictions for Gromov-Witten invariants agree with the BPS integrality. Conversely, the BPS geometry imposes strong conditions on the enumeration of pairs.
The theory of stable pairs in the derived category yields an enumerative geometry of curves in 3-folds. We evaluate the equivariant vertex for stable pairs on toric 3-folds in terms of weighted box counting. In the toric Calabi-Yau case, the result simplifies to a new form of pure box counting. The conjectural equivalence with the DT vertex predicts remarkable identities. The equivariant vertex governs primary insertions in the theory of stable pairs for toric varieties. We consider also the descendent vertex and conjecture the complete rationality of the descendent theory for stable pairs.
We work on a projective threefold $X$ which satisfies the Bogomolov-Gieseker conjecture of Bayer-Macr`i-Toda, such as $mathbb P^3$ or the quintic threefold. We prove certain moduli spaces of 2-dimensional torsion sheaves on $X$ are smooth bundles over Hilbert schemes of ideal sheaves of curves and points in $X$. When $X$ is Calabi-Yau this gives a simple wall crossing formula expressing curve counts (and so ultimately Gromov-Witten invariants) in terms of counts of D4-D2-D0 branes. These latter invariants are predicted to have modular properties which we discuss from the point of view of S-duality and Noether-Lefschetz theory.
We define the BPS invariants of Gopakumar-Vafa in the case of irreducible curve classes on Calabi-Yau 3-folds. The main tools are the theory of stable pairs in the derived category and Behrends constructible function approach to the virtual class. We prove that for irreducible classes the stable pairs generating function satisfies the strong BPS rationality conjectures. We define the contribution of each curve to the BPS invariants. A curve $C$ only contributes to the BPS invariants in genera lying between the geometric genus and arithmetic genus of $C$. Complete formulae are derived for nonsingular and nodal curves. A discussion of primitive classes on K3 surfaces from the point of view of stable pairs is given in the Appendix via calculations of Kawai-Yoshioka. A proof of the Yau-Zaslow formula for rational curve counts is obtained. A connection is made to the Katz-Klemm-Vafa formula for BPS counts in all genera.
For a K3 surface S, we study motivic invariants of stable pairs moduli spaces associated to 3-fold thickenings of S. We conjecture suitable deformation and divisibility invariances for the Betti realization. Our conjectures, together with earlier calculations of Kawai-Yoshioka, imply a full determination of the theory in terms of the Hodge numbers of the Hilbert schemes of points of S. The work may be viewed as the third in a sequence of formulas starting with Yau-Zaslow and Katz-Klemm-Vafa (each recovering the former). Numerical data suggest the motivic invariants are linked to the Mathieu M_24 moonshine phenomena. The KKV formula and the Pairs/Noether-Lefschetz correspondence together determine the BPS counts of K3-fibered Calabi-Yau 3-folds in fiber classes in terms of modular forms. We propose a framework for a refined P/NL correspondence for the motivic invariants of K3-fibered CY 3-folds. For the STU model, a complete conjecture is presented.
The moduli space of stable pairs on a local surface $X=K_S$ is in general non-compact. The action of $mathbb{C}^*$ on the fibres of $X$ induces an action on the moduli space and the stable pair invariants of $X$ are defined by the virtual localization formula. We study the contribution to these invariants of stable pairs (scheme theoretically) supported in the zero section $S subset X$. Sometimes there are no other contributions, e.g. when the curve class $beta$ is irreducible. We relate these surface stable pair invariants to the Poincare invariants of Durr-Kabanov-Okonek. The latter are equal to the Seiberg-Witten invariants of $S$ by work of Durr-Kabanov-Okonek and Chang-Kiem. We give two applications of our result. (1) For irreducible curve classes the GW/PT correspondence for $X = K_S$ implies Taubes GW/SW correspondence for $S$. (2) When $p_g(S) = 0$, the difference of surface stable pair invariants in class $beta$ and $K_S - beta$ is a universal topological expression.