Redefining B-twisted topological sigma models

This article studies some features of quantum field theories with internal supersymmetry, focusing mainly on 2-dimensional non-linear sigma models which take values in a coset superspace. It is discussed how BRST operators from the target space supersymmetry algebra can be used to identify subsectors which are often simpler than the original model and may allow for an explicit computation of correlation functions. After an extensive discussion of the general reduction scheme,...

We give a physical derivation of generalized Kahler geometry. Starting from a supersymmetric nonlinear sigma model, we rederive and explain the results of Gualtieri regarding the equivalence between generalized Kahler geometry and the bi-hermitean geometry of Gates-Hull-Rocek. When cast in the language of supersymmetric sigma models, this relation maps precisely to that between the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian formalisms. We also discuss topological twist in this contex...

We identify a deformation of the N=2 supersymmetric sigma model on a Calabi-Yau manifold X which has the same effect on B-branes as a noncommutative deformation of X. We show that for hyperkahler X such deformations allow one to interpolate continuously between the A-model and the B-model. For generic values of the noncommutativity and the B-field, properties of the topologically twisted sigma-models can be described in terms of generalized complex structures introduced by N....

In this paper, we present a purely algebraic formulation of higher gauge theory and gauged sigma models based on the abstract theory of graded commutative algebras and their morphisms. The formulation incorporates naturally BRST symmetry and is also suitable for AKSZ type constructions. It is also shown that for a full--fledged BV formulation including ghost degrees of freedom, higher gauge and gauged sigma model fields must be viewed as internal smooth functions on the shift...

We solve the long standing problem of finding an off-shell supersymmetric formulation for a general N = (2, 2) nonlinear two dimensional sigma model. Geometrically the problem is equivalent to proving the existence of special coordinates; these correspond to particular superfields that allow for a superspace description. We construct and explain the geometric significance of the generalized Kahler potential for any generalized Kahler manifold; this potential is the superspace...

We present an equivariant extension of the Thom form with respect to a vector field action, in the framework of the Mathai-Quillen formalism. The associated Topological Quantum Field Theories correspond to twisted $N=2$ supersymmetric theories with a central charge. We analyze in detail two different cases: topological sigma models and non-abelian monopoles on four-manifolds.

We discuss various questions which emerge in connection with the Lie-algebraic deformation of $\mathbb{CP}^1$ sigma model in two dimensions. First we supersymmetrize the original model endowing it with the minimal ${\cal N}=(0,2)$ and extended ${\cal N}=(2,2)$ supersymmetries. Then we derive the general hypercurrent anomaly in the both cases. In the latter case this anomaly is one-loop but is somewhat different from the standard expressions one can find in the literature beca...

We present a systematic study of ${\cal N}=(2,2)$ supersymmetric non-linear sigma models on $S^2$ with the target being a K\"ahler manifold. We discuss their reformulation in terms of cohomological field theory. In the cohomological formulation we use a novel version of 2D self-duality which involves a $U(1)$ action on $S^2$. In addition to the generic model we discuss the theory with target space equivariance corresponding to a supersymmetric sigma model coupled to a non-dyn...

We present two examples of SUSY mechanics related with K\"ahler geometry. The first system is the N=4 supersymmetric one-dimensional sigma-model proposed in hep-th/0101065. Another system is the N=2 SUSY mechanics whose phase space is the external algebra of an arbitrary K\"ahler manifold. The relation of these models with antisymplectic geometry is discussed.

The AKSZ construction was developed as a geometrical formalism to find the solution to the classical master equation in the BV quantization of topological branes based on the concept of QP manifolds. However, the formalism does not apply in presence of Wess-Zumino terms, as demonstrated recently by Ikeda and Strobl in the simplest example of WZW-Poisson sigma models. In this contribution, we review a class of topological field theories in arbitrary dimensions, the twisted R-P...