On tadpole relations via Verdier specialization

Abstract

Using the construct of "Verdier specialization", we provide a purely mathematical derivation of Chern class identities which upon integration yield the D3-brane tadpole relations coming from the equivalence between F-theory and associated weakly coupled type IIB orientifold limits. In particular, we find that all Chern class identities associated with weak coupling limits appearing in the physics literature are manifestations of a relative version of Verdier's specialization formula.