An Introduction to Counting Orbifolds

Abstract

We review three methods of counting abelian orbifolds of the form C^3/Gamma which are toric Calabi-Yau (CY). The methods include the use of 3-tuples to define the action of Gamma on C^3, the counting of triangular toric diagrams and the construction of hexagonal brane tilings. A formula for the partition function that counts these orbifolds is given. Extensions to higher dimensional orbifolds are briefly discussed.

6 pages. Accepted for publication in the proceedings of the XVIth European Workshop on String Theory