Understanding the strong coupling limit of massive type IIA string theory is a longstanding problem. We argue that perhaps this problem does not exist; namely, there may be no strongly coupled solutions of the massive theory. We show explicitly that massive type IIA string theory can never be strongly coupled in a weakly curved region of space-time. We illustrate our general claim with two classes of massive solutions in AdS4xCP3: one, previously known, with N = 1 supersymmetry, and a new one with N = 2 supersymmetry. Both solutions are dual to d = 3 Chern-Simons-matter theories. In both these massive examples, as the rank N of the gauge group is increased, the dilaton initially increases in the same way as in the corresponding massless case; before it can reach the M-theory regime, however, it enters a second regime, in which the dilaton decreases even as N increases. In the N = 2 case, we find supersymmetry-preserving gauge-invariant monopole operators whose mass is independent of N. This predicts the existence of branes which stay light even when the dilaton decreases. We show that, on the gravity side, these states originate from D2-D0 bound states wrapping the vanishing two-cycle of a conifold singularity that develops at large N.
In this work we study various aspects of six-dimensional ${\cal N}=(1,0)$ SCFTs. We consider the construction of their string duals in Massive IIA and discuss some observables in given examples. We study the dynamics of string solitons wrapping and rotating on the Massive IIA background and show that the associated Hamiltonian system is both non-integrable and chaotic, implying the non-integrability of the dual CFT. Our procedure is analytic, using well developed mathematical techniques, and numerical, by the explicit calculation of power spectra, Lyapunov coefficients and Poincaré sections.
We extend the analysis of arXiv:1009.2624, which constructed the non-linear realisation of the semi-direct product of E11 and the l1 representation at level zero, to level one. Thus we add to the previously considered NS-NS fields those of the R-R sector.
We obtain a new-type of ${\cal N}=3$ Yang-Mills Chern-Simons theory from the Mukhi-Papageorgakis Higgsing of the ${\cal N}=3$ Gaiotto-Tomasiello theory. This theory has ${\cal N}=1$ BPS fuzzy funnel solution which is expressed in terms of the seven generators of SU(3), excluding $T_8$. We propose that this is an effective theory of multiple D2-branes with D6- and D8-branes background in massive IIA string theory.
We investigate whether cosmological inflation is possible in a class of flux compactifications of type IIA strings on rigid Calabi-Yau manifolds, when all perturbative string corrections are taken into account. We confine ourselves to the universal hypermultiplet and an abelian vector multiplet, representing matter in four dimensions. Since all axions can be stabilized by D-instantons, we choose dilaton and a Kähler modulus as the only running scalars. Though positivity of their scalar potential can be achieved, we find that there is no slow roll ($\varepsilon > 2$ and $η>2$), and no Graceful …
We probe type IIA geometries with \emph{folded} semiclassical strings those encode the strong coupling dynamics associated with long operators in a class of SCFTs pertaining to spacetimes whose dimension vary from $6d$ down to $2d$. We particularly focus on folded string configurations those are extended through stack of flavor $ Dp $ ($ p=6,8 $) branes localized along the internal manifold. Considering some specific examples within the realm of $ \mathcal{N}=2 $ linear quivers, we show that the associated string spectrum exhibits a pole as the string approaches flavor D6 branes. We identify t…
Motivated by the M-theory compactification physics, we study a type IIA superstring quiver model with an open string axion field associated with the U(1)_{PQ} Peccei-Quinn global symmetry using D6-brane physics. This realization extends the symmetry of the SM-Like and contributes to the mediation of the electroweak symmetry breaking. The associated axion energy scales are approached in terms of D2 and D6-branes in type IIA compactifications on Calabi-Yau threeforlds. Using the fermion mass scales as well as string theory results, the allowed axion window is discussed in terms of intersecting D…
We study the duality between four-dimensional N=2 compactifications of heterotic and type IIA string theories. Via adiabatic fibration of the duality in six dimensions, type IIA string theory compactified on a K3-fibred Calabi-Yau threefold has a potential heterotic dual compactification. This adiabatic picture fails whenever the K3 fibre degenerates into multiple components over points in the base of the fibration. Guided by monodromy, we identify such degenerate K3 fibres as solitons generalizing the NS5-brane in heterotic string theory. The theory of degenerations of K3 surfaces can then be…
As advocated in hep-th/0307098 we construct the non-linear realisation of the semi-direct product of E11 and its first fundamental representation at lowest level from the IIA viewpoint. We find a theory that is SO(10,10)x GL(1) invariant and contains the fields of gravity, a two form and a dilaton but which depend on coordinates which belong to the vector representation of SO(10,10). The resulting Lagrangian agrees that of recent work on the so called doubled field theory. However, the construction given in this paper is straightforward and systematic. It also reveals the relevant underlying s…
We study the 2d N = 4 gauge theory descriptions of little strings on type II NS5- branes. The IIB strings on N NS5-branes are described by the N = (4,4) gauge theories, whose Higgs branch CFTs on U(N) instanton moduli spaces are relevant. The IIA strings are described by N = (4,4) circular A_{N-1} quiver theories, whose Coulomb branch CFTs are relevant. We study new N = (0,4) quiver gauge theories for the IIA strings, which make it easier to study some infrared observables. In particular, we show that the elliptic genera of the IIA / IIB strings precisely map to each other by T-duality.
Using D-brane configurations on the K3 surface, we give six dimensional type IIA stringy realizations of the Quantum Hall Effect (QHE) in 1+2 dimensions. Based on the vertical and horizontal lines of the K3 Hodge diamond, we engineer two different stringy realizations. The vertical line presents a realization in terms of D2 and D6-branes wrapping the K3 surface. The horizontal one is associated with hierarchical stringy descriptions obtained from a quiver gauge theory living on a stack of D4-branes wrapping intersecting 2-spheres embedded in the K3 surface with deformed singularities. These ge…
