Noether-Lefschetz divisors in the moduli of K3 surfaces are the loci corresponding to Picard rank at least 2. We relate the degrees of the Noether-Lefschetz divisors in 1-parameter families of K3 surfaces to the Gromov-Witten theory of the 3-fold tot
al space. The reduced K3 theory and the Yau-Zaslow formula play an important role. We use results of Borcherds and Kudla-Millson for O(2,19) lattices to determine the Noether-Lefschetz degrees in classical families of K3 surfaces of degrees 2, 4, 6 and 8. For the quartic K3 surfaces, the Noether-Lefschetz degrees are proven to be the Fourier coefficients of an explicitly computed modular form of weight 21/2 and level 8. The interplay with mirror symmetry is discussed. We close with a conjecture on the Picard ranks of moduli spaces of K3 surfaces.
We study the virtual geometry of the moduli spaces of curves and sheaves on K3 surfaces in primitive classes. Equivalences relating the reduced Gromov-Witten invariants of K3 surfaces to characteristic numbers of stable pairs moduli spaces are proven
. As a consequence, we prove the Katz-Klemm-Vafa conjecture evaluating $lambda_g$ integrals (in all genera) in terms of explicit modular forms. Indeed, all K3 invariants in primitive classes are shown to be governed by modular forms. The method of proof is by degeneration to elliptically fibered rational surfaces. New formulas relating reduced virtual classes on K3 surfaces to standard virtual classes after degeneration are needed for both maps and sheaves. We also prove a Gromov-Witten/Pairs correspondence for toric 3-folds. Our approach uses a result of Kiem and Li to produce reduced classes. In Appendix A, we answer a number of questions about the relationship between the Kiem-Li approach, traditional virtual cycles, and symmetric obstruction theories. The interplay between the boundary geometry of the moduli spaces of curves, K3 surfaces, and modular forms is explored in Appendix B by A. Pixton.
We determine the two-point invariants of the equivariant quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points of surface resolutions associated to type A_n singularities. The operators encoding these invariants are expressed in terms of the action of t
he affine Lie algebra hat{gl}(n+1) on its basic representation. Assuming a certain nondegeneracy conjecture, these operators determine the full structure of the quantum cohomology ring. A relationship is proven between the quantum cohomology and Gromov-Witten/Donaldson-Thomas theories of A_n x P^1. We close with a discussion of the monodromy properties of the associated quantum differential equation and a generalization to singularities of type D and E.
The Yau-Zaslow conjecture determines the reduced genus 0 Gromov-Witten invariants of K3 surfaces in terms of the Dedekind eta function. Classical intersections of curves in the moduli of K3 surfaces with Noether-Lefschetz divisors are related to 3-fo
ld Gromov-Witten theory via the K3 invariants. Results by Borcherds and Kudla-Millson determine the classical intersections in terms of vector-valued modular forms. Proven mirror transformations can often be used to calculate the 3-fold invariants which arise. Via a detailed study of the STU model (determining special curves in the moduli of K3 surfaces), we prove the Yau-Zaslow conjecture for all curve classes on K3 surfaces. Two modular form identities are required. The first, the Klemm-Lerche-Mayr identity relating hypergeometric series to modular forms after mirror transformation, is proven here. The second, the Harvey-Moore identity, is proven by D. Zagier and presented in the paper.
We prove the equivariant Gromov-Witten theory of a nonsingular toric 3-fold X with primary insertions is equivalent to the equivariant Donaldson-Thomas theory of X. As a corollary, the topological vertex calculations by Agangic, Klemm, Marino, and Va
fa of the Gromov-Witten theory of local Calabi-Yau toric 3-folds are proven to be correct in the full 3-leg setting.
We study the relative Donaldson-Thomas theory of A_n x P^1, where A_n is the surface resolution of a type A_n singularity. The action of divisor operators in the theory is expressed in terms of operators of the affine algebra hat{gl}(n+1) on Fock spa
ce. Assuming a nondegeneracy conjecture, this gives a complete solution for the theory. The results complete the comparison of this theory with the Gromov-Witten theory of A_n x P^1 and the quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points on A_n.
