$\Omega$ versus Graviphoton

Abstract

I study the deformation of the topological string by $\bar\Omega$, the complex conjugate of the $\Omega$-deformation. Namely, I identify $\bar\Omega$ in terms of a physical state in the string spectrum and verify that the deformed Yang-Mills and ADHM actions are reproduced. This completes the study initiated recently [1] where we show that $\bar\Omega$ decouples from the one-loop topological amplitudes in heterotic string theory. Similarly to the N=2* deformation, I show that the quadratic terms in the effective action play a crucial role in obtaining the correct realisation of the full $\Omega$-deformation. Finally, I comment on the differences between the graviphoton and the $\Omega$-deformation in general and discuss possible $\bar\Omega$ remnants at the boundary of the string moduli space.