Publications [#382171] of Paul S. Aspinwall

Papers Published

1. Aspinwall, PS; Plesser, MR; Wang, K, Mirror Symmetry and Discriminants (February, 2017)
   (last updated on 2025/03/30)

   Abstract:
   We analyze the locus, together with multiplicities, of "bad" conformal field theories in the compactified moduli space of N=(2,2) superconformal field theories in the context of the generalization of the Batyrev mirror construction using the gauged linear sigma-model. We find this discriminant of singular theories is described beautifully by the GKZ "A-determinant" but only if we use a noncompact toric Calabi-Yau variety on the A-model side and logarithmic coordinates on the B-model side. The two are related by "local" mirror symmetry. The corresponding statement for the compact case requires changing multiplicities in the GKZ determinant. We then describe a natural structure for monodromies around components of this discriminant in terms of spherical functors. This can be considered a categorification of the GKZ A-determinant. Each component of the discriminant is naturally associated with a category of massless D-branes.