Geometry and Physics Seminar: Jim Bryan

Donaldson-Thomas (DT) invariants of a Calabi-Yau threefold X are fundamental quantum invariants given by (weighted) Euler characteristics of the Hilbert schemes of X. We compute these invariants for the case where X is a so-called local elliptic surface --- it is the total space of the canonical line bundle over an elliptic surface. We find that the generating functions for the invariants admit a nice product structure. We introduce a new technique which allows us to use the topological vertex in this computation --- a tool which previously could only be used for toric threefolds. As a by product, we discover surprising new identities for the topological vertex. This is joint work with Martijn Kool, with an assist from Ben Young.