Reflexive polyhedra and their applications in string and F-theory

Abstract

This is an informal introduction to the concept of reflexive polyhedra and some of their most important applications in perturbative and non-perturbative string physics. Following the historical development, topics like mirror symmetry, gauged linear sigma models, and the geometrical structures relevant to string and F-theory dualities are discussed. Finally some recent developments concerning the classification of reflexive polyhedra are mentioned.