Theory HEP Seminar

(0,2) quantum cohomology

Sheldon Katz

UIUC

After reviewing (2,2) quantum cohomology and its role in the exact determination of Yukawa couplings via heterotic string theory, this talk focuses on the more general theory of (0,2) quantum cohomology. These theories are related to heterotic string theories whose 4 dimensional effective theories are more realistic phenomenologically, having minimal supersymmetry. I describe joint work with R. Donagi, J. Guffin, and E. Sharpe which developed techniques in two dimensional gauge theory, and in geometry, which provides an exact determination of correlation functions in these theories as well as a compact description of the ring of operator products.