Brane wrapping, AKSZ sigma models, and QP manifolds

Abstract

We introduce a technique to realise brane wrapping and double dimensional reduction in the context of AKSZ topological sigma models and also in their target spaces, which are symplectic $L_n$-algebroids (i.e. QP-manifolds). Our procedure involves a novel coisotropic reduction combined with an AKSZ transgression that realises degree-shifting; the reduced QP-manifold depends on topological data of the `wrapped' cycle. We check our procedure against the known rules for fluxes under wrapping in the context of M-theory/type IIA duality, and we also find a new relation between Courant algebroids and Poisson manifolds.

39 pages, 1 figure. v2: added references & acknowledgements