On the curvature of vortex moduli spaces

We use algebraic topology to investigate local curvature properties of the moduli spaces of gauged vortices on a closed Riemann surface. After computing the homotopy type of the universal cover of the moduli spaces (which are symmetric powers of the surface), we prove that, for genus g>1, the holomorphic bisectional curvature of the vortex metrics cannot always be nonnegative in the multivortex case, and this property extends to all Kaehler metrics on certain symmetric powers. Our result rules out an established and natural conjecture on the geometry of the moduli spaces.Comment: 25 pages; final version, to appear in Math.

Moduli space dynamics of noncommutative U(2) instantons

We consider the low energy dynamics of charge two instantons on noncommutative ℝ NC 2  × ℝ NC 2 in U(2) 5-dimensional super-Yang-Mills, using the Manton approximation for slow-moving instantons to calculate the moduli space metric. By employing the ADHM construction, we are able to understand some aspects of the geometry and topology of the system. We also consider the effect of adding a potential to the moduli space, giving scattering results for noncommutative dyonic instantons