We show how super BF theory in any dimension can be quantized as a spin foam model, generalizing the situation for ordinary BF theory. This is a first step toward quantizing supergravity theories.

We investigate in particular 3-dimensional $(p=1,q=1)$ supergravity which we quantize exactly. We obtain a super-Ponzano-Regge model with gauge group OSp$(1|2)$. A main motivation for our approach is the implementation of fermionic degrees of freedom in spin foam models. Indeed, we propose a description of the fermionic degrees of freedom in our model. Complementing the path integral approach we also discuss aspects of a canonical quantization in the spirit of loop quantum gravity. Finally, we comment on 2+1-dimensional quantum supergravity and the inclusion of a cosmological constant.

We quantise a Poisson structure on $H^{n+2g}$, where $H$ is a semidirect product group of the form $G\ltimes\mathfrak{g}^*$. This Poisson structure arises in the combinatorial description of the phase space of Chern-Simons theory with gauge group $G\ltimes\mathfrak{g}^*$ on $\mathbb{R}\times S_{g,n}$, where $S_{g,n}$ is a surface of genus $g$ with $n$ punctures. The quantisation of this Poisson structure is a key step in the quantisation of Chern-Simons theory with gauge group $G\ltimes\mathfrak{g}^*$. We construct the quantum algebra and its irreducible representations and show that the quantum double $D(G)$ of the group $G$ arises naturally as a symmetry of the quantum algebra.

We compute glueball superpotentials for four-dimensional, ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theories, with arbitrary gauge groups and massive matter representations. This is done by perturbatively integrating out massive charged fields. The Feynman diagram computations simplify, and are related to the corresponding matrix model. This leads to a natural notion of ``projection to planar diagrams'' for arbitrary gauge groups and representations. We discuss a general ambiguity in the glueball superpotential $W(S)$ for terms, $S^n$, whose order, $n$ is greater than the dual Coxeter number. This ambiguity can be resolved for all classical gauge groups $(A,B,C,D)$, via a natural embedding in an infinite rank supergroup. We use this to resolve some recently raised puzzles. For exceptional groups, we compute the superpotential terms for low powers of the glueball field and propose an all-order completion for some examples including ${\cal N}=1^*$ for all simply-laced groups. We also comment on compactification of these theories to lower dimensions.

Let $Y$ be the zero loci of a regular section of a convex vector bundle $E$ over $X$. We provide a proof of a conjecture of Cox, Katz and Lee for the virtual class of the genus zero moduli of stable maps to $Y$. This in turn yields the expected relationship between Gromov-Witten theories of $Y$ and $X$ which together with Mirror Theorems allows for the calculation of enumerative invariants of $Y$ inside of $X$.

In this paper we consider a somewhat unconventional approach for deriving worldvolume theories for D3 branes probing Calabi-Yau singularities. The strategy consists of extrapolating the calculation of F-terms to the large volume limit. This method circumvents the inherent limitations of more traditional approaches used for orbifold and toric singularities. We illustrate its usefulness by deriving quiver theories for D3 branes probing singularities where a Del Pezzo surface containing four, five or six exceptional curves collapses to zero size. In the latter two cases the superpotential depends explicitly on complex structure parameters. These are examples of probe theories for singularities which can currently not be computed by other means.

We provide evidence of the relation between supersymmetric gauge theories and matrix models beyond the planar limit. We compute gravitational $R^2$ couplings in gauge theories perturbatively, by summing genus one matrix model diagrams. These diagrams give the leading $1/N^2$ corrections in the large $N$ limit of the matrix model and can be related to twist field correlators in a collective conformal field theory. In the case of softly broken $SU(N)\ \cN=2$ super Yang-Mills theories, we find that these exact solutions of the matrix models agree with results obtained by topological field theory methods.