We propose a definition of Vafa-Witten invariants counting semistable Higgs pairs on a polarised surface. We use virtual localisation applied to Mochizuki/Joyce-Song pairs. For $K_Sle0$ we expect our definition coincides with an alternative definition using weighted Euler characteristics. We prove this for deg $K_S<0$ here, and it is proved for $S$ a K3 surface in cite{MT}. For K3 surfaces we calculate the invariants in terms of modular forms which generalise and prove conjectures of Vafa and Witten.
We conjecture a formula for the refined $mathrm{SU}(3)$ Vafa-Witten invariants of any smooth surface $S$ satisfying $H_1(S,mathbb{Z}) = 0$ and $p_g(S)>0$. The unrefined formula corrects a proposal by Labastida-Lozano and involves unexpected algebraic expressions in modular functions. We prove that our formula satisfies a refined $S$-duality modularity transformation. We provide evidence for our formula by calculating virtual $chi_y$-genera of moduli spaces of rank 3 stable sheaves on $S$ in examples using Mochizukis formula. Further evidence is based on the recent definition of refined $mathrm{SU}(r)$ Vafa-Witten invariants by Maulik-Thomas and subsequent calculations on nested Hilbert schemes by Thomas (rank 2) and Laarakker (rank 3).
In [MT2] the Vafa-Witten theory of complex projective surfaces is lifted to oriented $mathbb C^*$-equivariant cohomology theories. Here we study the K-theoretic refinement. It gives rational functions in $t^{1/2}$ invariant under $t^{1/2}leftrightarrow t^{-1/2}$ which specialise to numerical Vafa-Witten invariants at $t=1$. On the instanton branch the invariants give the virtual $chi_{-t}^{}$-genus refinement of Gottsche-Kool. Applying modularity to their calculations gives predictions for the contribution of the monopole branch. We calculate some cases and find perfect agreement. We also do calculations on K3 surfaces, finding Jacobi forms refining the usual modular forms, proving a conjecture of Gottsche-Kool. We determine the K-theoretic virtual classes of degeneracy loci using Eagon-Northcott complexes, and show they calculate refined Vafa-Witten invariants. Using this Laarakker [Laa] proves universality results for the invariants.
This article provides a summary of arXiv:1701.08899 and arXiv:1701.08902 where the authors studied the enumerative geometry of nested Hilbert schemes of points and curves on algebraic surfaces and their connections to threefold theories, and in particular relevant Donaldson-Thomas, Vafa-Witten and Seiberg-Witten theories.
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.
We prove the KKV conjecture expressing Gromov-Witten invariants of K3 surfaces in terms of modular forms. Our results apply in every genus and for every curve class. The proof uses the Gromov-Witten/Pairs correspondence for K3-fibered hypersurfaces of dimension 3 to reduce the KKV conjecture to statements about stable pairs on (thickenings of) K3 surfaces. Using degeneration arguments and new multiple cover results for stable pairs, we reduce the KKV conjecture further to the known primitive cases. Our results yield a new proof of the full Yau-Zaslow formula, establish new Gromov-Witten multiple cover formulas, and express the fiberwise Gromov-Witten partition functions of K3-fibered 3-folds in terms of explicit modular forms.