Dimer models and toric diagrams

In this article we study dimer models, as introduced in string theory, which give a way of writing down a class of non-commutative `superpotential' algebras. Some examples are 3-dimensional Calabi-Yau algebras, as defined by Ginzburg, and some are not. We consider two types of `consistency' condition on dimer models, and show that a `geometrically consistent' model is `algebraically consistent'. We prove that the algebra obtained from an algebraically consistent dimer model i...

Dimer models have been used in string theory to construct path algebras with relations that are 3-dimensional Calabi-Yau Algebras. These constructions result in algebras that share some specific properties: they are finitely generated modules over their centers and their representation spaces are toric varieties. In order to describe these algebras we introduce the notion of a toric order and show that all toric orders which are 3-dimensional Calabi-Yau algebras can be constr...

We study $4d$ $\mathcal{N}=1$ gauge theories engineered via D-branes at orientifolds of toric singularities, where gauge anomalies are cancelled without the introduction of non-compact flavor branes. Using dimer model techniques, we derive geometric criteria for establishing whether a given singularity can admit anomaly-free D-brane configurations purely based on its toric data and the type of orientifold projection. Our results therefore extend the dictionary between geometr...

We explore various aspects of the correspondence between dimer models and integrable systems recently introduced by Goncharov and Kenyon. Dimer models give rise to relativistic integrable systems that match those arising from 5d N=1 gauge theories studied by Nekrasov. We apply the correspondence to dimer models associated to the Y^{p,0} geometries, showing that they give rise to the relativistic generalization of the periodic Toda chain originally studied by Ruijsenaars. The ...

AdS/CFT predicts a precise relation between the central charge a, the scaling dimensions of some operators in the CFT on D3-branes at conical singularities and the volumes of the horizon and of certain cycles in the supergravity dual. We review how a quantitative check of this relation can be performed for all toric singularities. In addition to the results presented in hep-th/0506232, we also discuss the relation with the recently discovered map between toric singularities a...

We discuss in detail the problem of counting BPS gauge invariant operators in the chiral ring of quiver gauge theories living on D-branes probing generic toric CY singularities. The computation of generating functions that include counting of baryonic operators is based on a relation between the baryonic charges in field theory and the Kaehler moduli of the CY singularities. A study of the interplay between gauge theory and geometry shows that given geometrical sectors appear...

We give an overview of recent developments in the theory of dimer models. The viewpoint we take is inspired by mirror symmetry. After an introduction to the combinatorics of dimer models, we will first look at dimers in dynamical systems and statistical mechanics, which can be viewed as coming from the A-model in mirror symmetry. Then we will discuss the role of dimers in the theory of resolutions of singularities, which is inspired by the B-model. The C stands for the connec...

We study D-branes transverse to an abelian orbifold C^3/Z_n Z_n. The moduli space of the gauge theory on the D-branes is analyzed by combinatorial calculation based on toric geometry. It is shown that the calculation is related to a problemto count the number of ground states of an antiferromagnetic Ising model. The lattice on which the Ising model is defined is a triangular one defined on the McKay quiver of the orbifold.

We present a general solution to the problem of determining all S-dual descriptions for a specific (but very rich) class of $\mathcal{N} = 1$ SCFTs. These SCFTs are indexed by decorated toric diagrams, and can be engineered in string theory by probing orientifolds of isolated toric singularities with D3 branes. The S-dual phases are described by quiver gauge theories coupled to specific types of conformal matter which we describe explicitly. We illustrate our construction wit...

In this article we introduce a gluing operation on dimer models. This allows us to construct dimer quivers on arbitrary surfaces. We study how the associated dimer and boundary algebras behave under the gluing and how to determine them from the gluing components. We also use this operation to construct homogeneous dimer quivers on annuli.