The Geometry of F$_4$-Models

Abstract

We study the geometry of elliptic fibrations satisfying the conditions of Step 8 of Tate's algorithm. We call such geometries F$_4$-models, as the dual graph of their special fiber is the twisted affine Dynkin diagram $\widetilde{\text{F}}_4^t$. These geometries are used in string theory to model gauge theories with the exceptional Lie group F$_4$ on a smooth divisor $S$ of the base. Starting with a singular Weierstrass model of an F$_4$-model, we present a crepant resolution of its singularities. We study the fiber structure of this smooth elliptic fibration and identify the fibral divisors up to isomorphism as schemes over $S$. These are $\mathbb{P}^1$-bundles over $S$ or double covers of $\mathbb{P}^1$-bundles over $S$. We compute basic topological invariants such as the double and triple intersection numbers of the fibral divisors and the Euler characteristic of the F$_4$-model. In the case of Calabi-Yau threefolds, we compute the linear form induced by the second Chern class and the Hodge numbers. We also explore the meaning of these geometries for the physics of gauge theories in five and six-dimensional minimal supergravity theories with eight supercharges. We also introduce the notion of "frozen representations" and explore the role of the Stein factorization in the study of fibral divisors of elliptic fibrations.