Shifts of prepotentials (with an appendix by Michele Vergne)

Abstract

We study the dynamics of supersymmetric theories in five dimensions obtained by compactifications of M-theory on a Calabi-Yau threefold X. For a compact X, this is determined by the geometry of X, in particular the Kahler class dependence of the volume of X determines the effective couplings of vector multiplets. Rigid supersymmetry emerges in the limit of divergent volume, prompting the study of the structure of Duistermaat-Heckman formula and its generalizations for non-compact toric Kahler manifolds. Our main tool is the set of finite-difference equations obeyed by equivariant volumes and their quantum versions. We also discuss a physical application of these equations in the context of seven-dimensional gauge theories, extending and clarifying our previous results. The appendix by M. Vergne provides an alternative local proof of the shift equation.