Supersymmetric string vacua on AdS_3 x N

String backgrounds of the form AdS_3 x N that give rise to two dimensional spacetime superconformal symmetry are constructed.Comment: harvmac, 9 pages (minor changes for submission to journal

Semichiral Sigma Models with 4D Hyperkaehler Geometry

Semichiral sigma models with a four-dimensional target space do not support extended N=(4,4) supersymmetries off-shell arXiv:0903.2376, arXiv:0912.4724. We contribute towards the understanding of the non-manifest on-shell transformations in (2,2) superspace by analyzing the extended on-shell supersymmetry of such models and find that a rather general ansatz for the additional supersymmetry (not involving central charge transformations) leads to hyperk\"ahler geometry. We give non-trivial examples of these models.Comment: 19 page

Linearizing Generalized Kahler Geometry

The geometry of the target space of an N=(2,2) supersymmetry sigma-model carries a generalized Kahler structure. There always exists a real function, the generalized Kahler potential K, that encodes all the relevant local differential geometry data: the metric, the B-field, etc. Generically this data is given by nonlinear functions of the second derivatives of K. We show that, at least locally, the nonlinearity on any generalized Kahler manifold can be explained as arising from a quotient of a space without this nonlinearity.Comment: 31 pages, some geometrical aspects clarified, typos correcte

Quaternion-Kahler spaces, hyperkahler cones, and the c-map

Under the action of the c-map, special Kahler manifolds are mapped into a class of quaternion-Kahler spaces. We explicitly construct the corresponding Swann bundle or hyperkahler cone, and determine the hyperkahler potential in terms of the prepotential of the special Kahler geometry.Comment: 12 pages, Submitted to the "Handbook of pseudo-Riemannian geometry and supersymmetry", IRMA Lectures in Mathematical Physics; references and typos corrected; published versio

Hyperkahler quotients and algebraic curves

We develop a graphical representation of polynomial invariants of unitary gauge groups, and use it to find the algebraic curve corresponding to a hyperkahler quotient of a linear space. We apply this method to four dimensional ALE spaces, and for the A_k, D_k, and E_6 cases, derive the explicit relation between the deformations of the curves away from the orbifold limit and the Fayet-Iliopoulos parameters in the corresponding quotient construction. We work out the orbifold limit of E_7, E_8, and some higher dimensional examples.Comment: Two typos corrected--Journal version; 23 pages, 13 figures, harvma