Calabi-Yau geometry and electrons on 2d lattices

Abstract

The B-model approach of topological string theory leads to difference equations by quantizing algebraic mirror curves. It is known that these quantum mechanical systems are solved by the refined topological strings. Recently, it was pointed out that the quantum eigenvalue problem for a particular Calabi--Yau manifold, known as local $\mathbb{F}_0$, is closely related to the Hofstadter problem for electrons on a two-dimensional square lattice. In this paper, we generalize this idea to a more complicated Calabi--Yau manifold. We find that the local $\mathcal{B}_3$ geometry, which is a three-point blow-up of local $\mathbb{P}^2$, is associated with electrons on a triangular lattice. This correspondence allows us to use known results in condensed matter physics to investigate the quantum geometry of the toric Calabi--Yau manifold.