Topological sigma models in four-dimensions and triholomorphic maps

Jun, 1993
47 pages
Published in:
  • Nucl.Phys.B 416 (1994) 255-300
e-Print:
Report number:
  • SISSA-73-93-EP

Citations per year

1994200120082015202202468101214
Abstract:
It is well-known that topological sigma-models in 2 dimensions constitute a path-integral approach to the study of holomorphic maps from a Riemann surface S to an almost complex manifold K, the most interesting case being that where K is a Kahler manifold. We show that, in the same way, topological sigma-models in 4 dimensions introduce a path integral approach to the study of triholomorphic maps q:M-->N from a 4dimensional Riemannian manifold M to an almost quaternionic manifold N. The most interesting cases are those where M, N are hyperKahler or quaternionic Kahler. BRST-cohomology translates into intersection theory in the moduli-space of this new class of instantonic maps, named by us hyperinstantons. The definition of triholomorphicity that we propose is expressed by the equation q_*-J_u q_* j_u = 0, u=1,2,3, where {j_u} is an almost quaternionic structure on M and {J_u} is an almost quaternionic structure on N. This is a generalization of the Cauchy-Fueter equations. For M, N hyperKahler, this generalization naturally arises by obtaining the topological sigma-model as a twisted version of the N=2 globally supersymmetric sigma-model. We discuss various examples of hyperinstantons, in particular on the torus and the K3 surface. We also analyse the coupling of the topological sigma-model to topological gravity. The study of
  • sigma model: nonlinear
  • dimension: 2
  • field theory: topological
  • path integral
  • Riemann surface
  • field theory: Kaehler
  • coset space: quaternion
  • algebra: Becchi-Rouet-Stora
  • cohomology
  • differential forms