Towards machine learning in the classification of Z2xZ2 orbifold compactifications
Alon E. Faraggi, Glyn Harries, Benjamin Percival, John Rizos
备注：
8 pages. Standard LaTex. 3 figures. To appear in the proceedings of the DISCRETE 2018 international conference, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, 26-30 November 2018. Minor corrections
Systematic classification of Z2xZ2 orbifold compactifications of the heterotic-string was pursued by using its free fermion formulation. The method entails random generation of string vacua and analysis of their entire spectra, and led to discovery of spinor-vector duality and three generation exophobic string vacua. The classification was performed for string vacua with unbroken SO(10) GUT symmetry, and progressively extended to models in which the SO(10) symmetry is broken to the SO(6)xSO(4), SU(5)xU(1), SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1)^2 and SU(3)xU(1)xSU(2)^2 subgroups. Obtaining sizeable number of phenomenologically viable vacua in the last two cases requires identification of fertility conditions. Adaptation of machine learning tools to identify the fertility conditions will be useful when the frequency of viable models becomes exceedingly small in the total space of vacua.
I discuss the correspondence between realistic four dimensional free fermionic models and $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold compactification. %I illustrate this correspondence for one particular example. I discuss the properties of the $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold that are reflected in the realistic free fermionic models. I argue that the properties of the realistic free fermionic models arise due to the underlying $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold compactification with nontrivial background fields. I suggest that three generation is a natural outcome of $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold compactification with ``standard emb…
All the realistic free fermionic models utilize a set of basis vectors, the NAHE set, that correspond to $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold compactification with nontrivial background fields. I argue that the realistic features of free fermionic models, like the number of generations and the fermion mass spectrum are due to the underlying $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold compactification.
Analyzing the one-loop partition function, we discuss possible Kaluza-Klein (KK) states in the orbifold compactification of the heterotic string theory, toward the application to the threshold correction. The KK massive states associated with (relatively) large extra dimensions can arise only in non-prime orbifolds. The GSO projection condition by a shift vector $V^I$ is somewhat relaxed above the compactification scale 1/R. We also present the other condition on Wilson line $W$, $P\cdot W={\rm integer}$. With the knowledge of the partition function, we obtain the threshold corrections to gaug…
The picture of CP-violation in orbifold compactifications in which the $T$-modulus is at a complex fixed point of the modular group is studied. CP-violation in the neutral kaon system and in the neutron electric dipole moment are both discussed. The situation where the $T$-modulus takes complex values on the unit circle which are not at a fixed point is also discussed.
Known mechanisms for breaking of supersymmetry at the level of string theory imply that at least one of the internal dimensions has a very large size. Experimental detection of the associated light Kaluza-Klein (KK) excitations would be a strong hint for the existence of string like elementary objects, as no consistent field theory describing them is known. We restrict the discussion to the Scherk-Schwarz mechanism in orbifold compactifications. For this case we investigate the quantum number of the lightest predicted KK states.
We employ the covariant background formalism to derive generic expressions for the one-loop effective action in field theoretic orbifold compactifications. The contribution of each orbifold sector is given by the effective action of its fixed torus with a shifted mass matrix. We thus study in detail the computation of the heat kernel on tori. Our formalism manifestly separates UV sensitive (local) from UV-insensitive (nonlocal) renormalization. To exemplify our methods, we study the effective potential of 6d gauge theory as well as kinetic terms for gravitational moduli in 11d supergravity.
A new viewpoint for the gauge hierarchy problem is proposed: compactification at a large scale, 1/R, leads to a low energy effective theory with supersymmetry softly broken at a much lower scale, α/R. The hierarchy is induced by an extremely small angle αwhich appears in the orbifold compactification boundary conditions. The same orbifold boundary conditions break Peccei-Quinn symmetry, leading to a new solution to the μproblem. Explicit 5d theories are constructed with gauge groups SU(3) \times SU(2) \times U(1) and SU(5), with matter in the bulk or on the brane, which lead to the (next-to) m…
In 6D orbifold compactifications of N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories, the one-loop behaviour of the 4D {\it effective} gauge coupling and of its beta function are carefully investigated for momentum scales k^2 near the compactification scale(s). It is showed that as k^2 is crossing the compactification scale(s), there exists a smooth transition ("crossover") to a power-like behaviour of the 4D effective coupling, with a continuous one-loop beta function. Contrary to the naive expectation, the power-like behaviour sets in at momentum scales {\it smaller} than the compactification scale, to sug…
The possibility of spontaneous breaking of CP symmetry by the expectation values of orbifold moduli is investigated with particular reference to $CP$ violating phases in soft supersymmetry breaking terms. The effect of different mechanisms for stabilizing the dilaton and the form of the non-perturbative superpotential on the existence and size of these phases is studied. Non-perturbative superpotentials involving the absolute modular invariant $j(T)$, such as may arise from F-theory compactifications, are considered.
In a torus compactification with magnetic flux, the scalar field generated from the higher dimensional gauge field becomes the Nambu-Goldstone boson of the translational symmetry in extra spaces and the mass of the scalar field is not allowed. In this paper, we explicitly show that the one-loop quantum correction to the mass of the scalar field is generated at fixed points in a case of an orbifold compactification $T^2/Z_2$ with magnetic flux. This is because the scalar field is a pseudo Nambu-Goldstone boson as a result of explicit breaking of the translational symmetry by the fixed points. T…
As the effective field theory of the superstring theory, ten-dimensional ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is induced. We consider the ten-dimensional space-time ${\cal M}_{10}$ as direct products of our four-dimensional space-time ${\cal M}_{4}$ and three two-dimensional compact spaces $X_i\ (i=1,2,3)$, i.e. ${\cal M}_{10} = {\cal M}_4 \times X_2 \times X_2 \times X_3$. In particular, we consider $X_i$ as a torus, the torus orbifold, and also the blow-up manifold of the torus orbifold with background magnetic fluxes. We discuss the modular symmetry in the magnetized torus and its …
A Z_2 orbifold compactification of the heterotic string is considered. The resulting 6D GUT groups can be SO(16) or E_7 times SU(2) plus some hidden sector groups. The N=4 supersymmetry is reduced to N=2. In particular, the SO(16) 6D model with one spinor representation 128 can reduce to the previous 5D SO(16) or SO(14) family unification models after compactifying the sixth dimension. To obtain one spinor, we have to take into account the left-over center of SO(16). We also comment on the E_7 times SU(2) model.
Perturbative breaking of supersymmetry in four-dimensional string theories predict in general the existence of new large dimensions at the TeV scale. Such dimensions can be consistent with perturbative unification up to the Planck scale in a class of string models and open the exciting possibility of lowering a part of the massive string spectrum at energies accessible to future accelerators. The main signature is the production of Kaluza-Klein excitations which have a very particular structure, strongly correlated with the supersymmetry breaking mechanism. We present a model independent analy…
Following the recent exploration of smooth heterotic compactifications with unitary bundles, orbifold compactifications in six dimensions can be shown to correspond in the blow-up to compactifications with U(1) gauge backgrounds. A powerful tool is the comparison of anomaly polynomials. The presentation here focuses on heterotic SO(32) compactifications in six dimensions including five-branes. Four dimensional and E8 x E8 models are briefly commented on.
In string compactifications, frequently there appears the anomalous U(1) gauge symmetry which belonged to E8$\times$E8 of the heterotic string. This anomalous U(1) gauge boson obtains mass at the compactification scale, just below $10^{18\,}$GeV, by absorbing one pseudoscalar (corresponding to the model-independent axion) from the second rank anti-symmetric tensor field $B_{MN}$. Below the compactification scale, there results a global symmetry U(1)$_{\rm anom}$ whose charge $Q_{\rm anom}$ is the original gauge U(1) charge. This is the most natural global symmetry, realizing the "invisible" ax…
We suggest SU(5)$'$ in the hidden sector toward a possible gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking scenario for removing the SUSY flavor problem, with an example constructed in $\Z_{12-I}$ with three families. The example we present has the Pati-Salam type classification of particles in the observable sector and has no exotics at low energy. We point out that six or seven very light pairs of ${\bf 5}'$ and $\bar{\bf 5}'$ out of ten vectorlike $\five'$ and $\fiveb'$ pairs of SU(5)$'$ is achievable, leading to a possibility of an unstable supersymmetry breaking vacuum. The possibility of different…
Motivated by orbifold grand unified theories, we construct a class of three-family Pati-Salam models in a Z6 abelian symmetric orbifold with two discrete Wilson lines. These models have marked differences from previously-constructed three-family models in prime-order orbifolds. In the limit where one of the six compactified dimensions (which lies in a Z2 sub-orbifold) is large compared to the string length scale, our models reproduce the supersymmetry and gauge symmetry breaking pattern of 5d orbifold grand unified theories on an S1/Z2 orbicircle. We find a horizontal 2+1 splitting in the chir…
We identify the untwisted moduli of heterotic orbifold compactifications for the case, when the gauge twist is realized by a rotation. The Wilson lines are found to have both continuous and discrete parts. For the case of the standard Z(3) orbifold we classify all possibilities of breaking the gauge group E(6) times SU(3) by nine of the eighteen Wilson moduli and by additional discrete Wilson lines.
We consider solutions to the $μ$-problem originating in the effective low energy theories, of N=1 orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string, after supersymmetry breaking. They are consistent with the invariance of the one loop corrected effective action in the linear representation of the dilaton. The proposed $μ$-terms naturally generalize solutions proposed previously, in the literature, in the context of minimal low energy supergravity models. They emanate from the connection of the non-perturbative superpotential to the determinant of the mass matrix of the chiral compactification…
We discuss the appearance of modular functions at the one-loop gauge and gravitational couplings in (0,2) non-decomposable N=1 four dimensional orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string. We define the limits for the existence of states causing singularities in the moduli space in the perturbative regime for a generic vacuum of the heterotic string. The "proof" provides evidence for the explanation of the stringy Higgs effect.
There has been some confusion concerning the number of $(1,1)$-forms in orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string in numerous publications. In this note we point out the relevance of the underlying torus lattice on this number. We answer the question when different lattices mimic the same physics and when this is not the case. As a byproduct we classify all symmetric $Z_N$-orbifolds with $(2,2)$ world sheet supersymmetry obtaining also some new ones.
We study compactification of five dimensional ungauged N=2 supergravity coupled to vector- and hypermultiplets on orbifold $S^1/Z_2$. In the model the vector multiplets scalar manifold is arbitrary while the hypermultiplet scalars span a generalized self dual Einstein manifold constructed by Calderbank and Pedersen. The bosonic and the fermionic sector of the low energy effective N=1 supergravity in four dimensions are derived.
I consider the construction of heterotic orbifold models based on a toroidal orbifold with non Abelian point group. I construct an explicit model based on the point group $S_3$ and calculate the spectrum and remnant symmetries. This model provides a simple example of rank reduction of the Yang--Mills gauge group directly in the string theory rather than in the effective field theory.
We analyze the structure of heterotic M-theory on K3 orbifolds by presenting a comprehensive sequence of M-theoretic models constructed on the basis of local anomaly cancellation. This is facilitated by extending the technology developed in our previous papers to allow one to determine "twisted" sector states in non-prime orbifolds. These methods should naturally generalize to four-dimensional models, which are of potential phenomenological interest.
We consider several orbifold compactifications of M-theory and their corresponding type II duals in two space-time dimensions. In particular, we show that while the orbifold compactification of M-theory on $T^9/J_9$ is dual to the orbifold compactification of type IIB string theory on $T^8/I_8$, the same orbifold $T^8/I_8$ of type IIA string theory is dual to M-theory compactified on a smooth product manifold $K3 \times T^5$. Similarly, while the orbifold compactification of M-theory on $(K3 \times T^5)/σ... J_5$ is dual to the orbifold compactification of type IIB string theory on $(K3 \times…
The problem of families, "Why are there three families of fermions?", is a long awaited question to be answered within a reasonable framework. We propose anti-SU($N$) groups for the unification of families in grand unification (GUT) groups, where the separation of color and weak gauge groups in the GUT is achieved by antisymmetric tensor Brout-Englert-Higgs boson instead of an adjoint representation. Theories of anti-SU($N$)'s are proposed for the unification of families. The minimal model is found as \antiSD \, GUT with the fermion representation [3]+2[2]+8[\bar-1]. We present an example in a…
We discuss non-perturbative aspects of string effective field theories with N=1 supersymmetry in four dimensions. By the use of a scalar potential, which is on-shell invariant under the supersymmetric duality of the dilaton, we study gaugino condensation in (2,2) symmetric Z_{N} orbifold compactifications. The duality under consideration relates a two-form antisymmetric tensor to a pseudoscalar. We show, that our approach is independent of the superfield-representation of the dilaton and preserves the U(1)_{PQ} Peccei-Quinn symmetry exactly.
To obtain a unified framework for symmetric and asymmetric heterotic orbifold constructions we provide a systematic study of Narain compactifications orbifolded by finite order T-duality subgroups. We review the generalized vielbein that parametrizes the Narain moduli space (i.e. the metric, the B-field and the Wilson lines) and introduce a convenient basis of generators of the heterotic T-duality group. Using this we generalize the space group description of orbifolds to Narain orbifolds. This yields a unified, crystallographic description of the orbifold twists, shifts as well as Narain modu…
The duality symmetry group of the cosets ${\textstyle SU(n,1)\over \textstyle SU(n)\otimes U(1)}$, which describe the moduli space of a two-dimensional subspace of an orbifold model with $(n-1)$ complex Wilson lines moduli, is discussed. The full duality group and its explicit action on the moduli fields are derived.
We study orbifold compactifications of F-theory which lead to $N=1$ supersymmetry in 6 and 4 spacetime dimensions. These are dual to specific orientifolds of M-theory, and in many cases to orientifolds of type IIB string theory. The equivalences are demonstrated by mapping the orbifolding transformations in the F, M and string theories to each other using dualities. We observe that M and F-theory appear to possess a property similar to discrete torsion in string theory. This is related to an ambiguity recently noted by Polchinski in the orientifold projection for 6-dimensional models. The 4-di…
We develop a systematic method for classifying supersymmetric orbifold compactifications of M-theory. By restricting our attention to abelian orbifolds with low order, in the special cases where elements do not include coordinate shifts, we construct a "periodic table" of such compactifications, organized according to the orbifolding group (order up to 12) and dimension (up to 7). An intriguing connection between supersymmetric orbifolds and G2-structures is explored.
It was shown by A. Connes, M. Douglas and A. Schwarz that noncommutative tori arise naturally in consideration of toroidal compactifications of M(atrix) theory. A similar analysis of toroidal Z_{2} orbifolds leads to the algebra B_θ that can be defined as a crossed product of noncommutative torus and the group Z_{2}. Our paper is devoted to the study of projective modules over B_θ (Z_{2}-equivariant projective modules over a noncommutative torus). We analyze the Morita equivalence (duality) for B_θ algebras working out the two-dimensional case in detail.
We clarify the relation between six-dimensional Abelian orbifold compactifications of the heterotic string and smooth heterotic K3 compactifications with line bundles for both SO(32) and E_8 x E_8 gauge groups. The T^4/Z_N cases for N=2,3,4 are treated exhaustively, and for N=6 some examples are given. While all T^4/Z_2 and nearly all T^4/Z_3 models have a simple smooth match involving one line bundle only, this is only true for some T^4/Z_4 and T^4/Z_6 cases. We comment on possible matchings with more than one line bundle for the remaining cases. The matching is provided by comparisons of the…
It is well-known that heterotic string compactifications have, in spite of their conceptual simplicity and aesthetic appeal, a serious problem with precision gauge coupling unification in the perturbative regime of string theory. Using both a duality-based and a field-theoretic definition of the boundary of the perturbative regime, we reevaluate the situation in a quantitative manner. We conclude that the simplest and most promising situations are those where some of the compactification radii are exceptionally large, corresponding to highly anisotropic orbifold models. Thus, one is led to con…
A way to break supersymmetry in perturbative superstring theory is the string version of the Scherk-Schwarz mechanism. There, the fermions and bosons have mass splitting due to different compactification boundary conditions. We consider the implementation of this mechanism in abelian orbifold compactifications with Wilson line backgrounds. For $Z_N$ and $Z_N\times Z_M$ orbifolds, we give the possible $U(1)$ R-symmetries which determine the mass splitting, and thus, the supersymmetry breaking at the perturbative level. The phenomenlogical viability of this mechanism implies some dimension(s) to…
We study the modular symmetry in $T^2$ and orbifold comfactifications with magnetic fluxes. There are $|M|$ zero-modes on $T^2$ with the magnetic flux $M$. Their wavefunctions as well as massive modes behave as modular forms of weight $1/2$ and represent the double covering group of $Γ\equiv SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$, $\widetildeΓ \equiv \widetilde{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})$. Each wavefunction on $T^2$ with the magnetic flux $M$ transforms under $\widetildeΓ(2|M|)$, which is the normal subgroup of $\widetilde{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})$. Then, $|M|$ zero-modes are representations of the quotient group $\widetildeΓ'_{2…
We consider the torus compactifications with flux of a class of $6d$ $(1,0)$ SCFTs that can be engineered as the low-energy theories on M$5$-branes near an M$9$-plane on a $C^2/Z_2$ singularity. Specifically, we concentrate on the two SCFTs where the $Z_2$ orbifold action acts non-trivially on the $E_8$ global symmetry. We analyze this problem by compactifying to $5d$, where we can exploit the relation to $5d$ duality domain walls. By a suitable guess of the domain wall theories, the resulting $4d$ theories can be conjectured. These can then be tested by comparing their properties, notably ano…
The possibility of spontaneous breaking of CP symmetry by the expectation values of orbifold moduli is investigated with particular reference to $CP$ violating phases in soft supersymmetry breaking terms. The effect of different mechanisms for stabilizing the dilaton and the form of the non-perturbative superpotential on the existence and size of these phases is studied. Models with modular symmetries which are subgroups of $PSL(2,Z)$, as well as the single overall modulus $T$ case with the full $PSL(2,Z)$ modular symmetry, are discussed. Non-perturbative superpotentials involving the absolute…
It is pointed out that massive states in D=4, N=1 supergravity-matter theories can, in general, at the 1-loop level contribute non-holomorphic terms to quadratic gravitational couplings. It is then shown in the context of $(2,2)$-symmetric $Z_N$-orbifold theories that, for constant moduli backgrounds, the inclusion of such contributions can result in the cancellation of naked $C^2$-terms. ${\cal R}^2$-terms can also arise but, being ghost free, need not cancel.
In this paper I will further investigate the spectrum of quantum gravity or string theories at large number of dimensions. We will see that volumes of certain orbifolds shrink at large D. It follows that the mass spectra of the leading Kaluza-Klein towers and also of wrapped brane states on these orbifolds possess a non-trivial dependence on D: KK modes become heavy at large D, whereas wrapped branes become light. This observation can be used either to apply the Large Dimension Conjecture or, as we will do, to investigate the possibility of a D-duality symmetry, which relates in gravity compac…
We study the modular symmetry in magnetized D-brane models on $T^2$. Non-Abelian flavor symmetry $D_4$ in the model with magnetic flux $M=2$ (in a certain unit) is a subgroup of the modular symmetry. We also study the modular symmetry in heterotic orbifold models. The $T^2/Z_4$ orbifold model has the same modular symmetry as the magnetized brane model with $M=2$, and its flavor symmetry $D_4$ is a subgroup of the modular symmetry.
We derive the moduli dependent threshold corrections to gauge couplings in toroidal orbifold compactifications. The underlying six dimensional torus lattice of the heterotic string theory is not assumed ---as in previous calculations--- to decompose into a direct sum of a four--dimensional and a two--dimensional sublattice, with the latter lying in a plane left fixed by a set of orbifold twists. In this more general case the threshold corrections are no longer automorphic functions of the modular group, but of certain congruence subgroups of the modular group. These groups can also be obtained…
We construct a supersymmetric standard model in the context of the $Z_{12-I}$ orbifold compactification of the heterotic string theory. The gauge group is $SU(3)_c\times SU(2)_L\times U(1)_Y\times U(1)^4\times[SO(10)\times U(1)^3]'$. We obtain three chiral families, $3\times\{Q,d^c,u^c,L,e^c,ν^c\}$, and Higgs doublets. There are numerous neutral singlets many of which can have VEVs so that low energy phenomenology on Yukawa couplings can be satisfied. In one assignment (Model E) of the electroweak hypercharge, we obtain the string scale value of $sin^2θ_W^0={3/8}$ and another exactly massless …
We study the elliptic fibrations of some Calabi-Yau three-folds, including the $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifold with $(h_{1,1},h_{2,1})=(27,3)$, which is equivalent to the common framework of realistic free-fermion models, as well as related orbifold models with $(h_{1,1},h_{2,1})=(51,3)$ and (31,7). However, two related puzzles arise when one considers the $(h_{1,1},h_{2,1})=(27,3)$ model as an F-theory compactification to six dimensions. The condition for the vanishing of the gravitational anomaly is not satisfied, suggesting that the F-theory compactification does not make sense, and the elliptic f…
We study ${\cal N}=2$ compactifications of $E_8\times E_8$ heterotic string theory on orbifolds of $K3 \times T^2$ by $g'$ which acts as an $\mathbb{Z}_N$ automorphism of $K3$ together with a$1/N$ shift on a circle of $T^2$. The orbifold action $g'$ corresponds to the $26$ conjugacy classes of the Mathieu group $M_{24}$. We show that for the standard embedding the new supersymmetric index for these compactifications can always be decomposed into the elliptic genus of $K3$ twisted by $g'$. The difference in one-loop corrections to the gauge couplings are captured by automorphic forms obtained b…
We thoroughly analyze the number of independent zero modes and their zero points on the toroidal orbifold $T^2/\mathbb{Z}_N$ ($N = 2, 3, 4, 6$) with magnetic flux background, inspired by the Atiyah-Singer index theorem. We first show a complete list for the number $n_η$ of orbifold zero modes belonging to $\mathbb{Z}_{N}$ eigenvalue $η$. Since it turns out that $n_η$ quite complicatedly depends on the flux quanta $M$, the Scherk-Schwarz twist phase $(α_1, α_2)$, and the $\mathbb{Z}_{N}$ eigenvalue $η$, it seems hard that $n_η$ can be universally explained in a simple formula. We, however, succ…
We present a general setup for junctions of semi-infinite 4-branes in $AdS_6$ with the Gauss-Bonnet term. The 3-brane tension at the junction of 4-branes can be nonzero. Using the brane junctions as the origin of the $Z_N$ discrete rotation symmetry, we identify 3-brane tensions at three fixed points of the orbifold $T^2/Z_3$ in terms of the 4-brane tensions. As a result, the three 3-brane tensions can be simultaneously positive, which enables us to explain the mass hierarchy by taking one of two branes apart from the hidden brane as the visible brane, and hence does not introduce a severe cos…
We consider supersymmetric models in 5-dimensional space-time compactified on S**1/Z(2) orbifold where N=2 supersymmetry is explicitly broken down to N=1 by the orbifold projection. We find that the residual N=1 supersymmetry is broken spontaneously by a stable classical wall-like field configurations which can appear even in the simple models discussed. We also consider some simple models of bulk fields interacting with those localized on the 4-dimensional boundary wall where N=1 supersymmetry can survive in a rather non-trivial way.
The two-loop chiral measure for superstring theories compactified on $\bZ_2$ reflection orbifolds is constructed from first principles for even spin structures. This is achieved by a careful implementation of the chiral splitting procedure in the twisted sectors and the identification of a subtle worldsheet supersymmetric and supermoduli dependent shift in the Prym period. The construction is generalized to compactifications which involve more general NS backgrounds preserving worldsheet supersymmetry. The measures are unambiguous and independent of the gauge slice. Two applications are presen…
We propose a realistic flipped SU(5) model derived from a five-dimensional orbifold SO(10) model. The Standard Model (SM) fermion masses and mixings are explained by combining the traditional Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism with the five-dimensional wave function profiles of the SM fermions. Employing tree-level spontaneous R-symmetry breaking in the hidden sector and extra(ordinary) gauge mediation, we obtain realistic supersymmetry breaking soft mass terms with non-vanishing gaugino masses. Including the messenger fields at the intermediate scale and Kaluza-Klein states at the compactification sc…
We analyze solutions of string theory and supergravity which involve real hyperbolic spaces. Examples of string compactifications are given in terms of hyperbolic coset spaces of finite volume $Γ\backslash {\mathbb H}^N$, where $Γ$ is a discrete group of isometries of ${\mathbb H}^N$. We describe finite flux and the tensor kernel associated with hyperbolic spaces. The case of arithmetic geometry of $Γ= SL(2, {\mathbb Z}+i{\mathbb Z})/\{\pm Id\}$, where $Id$ is the identity matrix, is analyzed. We discuss supersymmetry surviving for supergravity solutions involving real hyperbolic space factors…
The data from collider experiments and cosmic observatories indicates the existence of three light matter generations. In some classes of string compactifications the number of generations is related to a topological quantity, the Euler characteristic. However, these do not explain the existence of three generations. In a class of free fermionic string models, related to the Z2 X Z2 orbifold compactification, the existence of three generations is correlated with the existence of three twisted sectors in this class of compactifications. However, the three generation models are constructed in th…
Discovering a selection principle and the origin of flavor symmetries from an ultraviolet completion of particle physics is an interesting open task. As a step in this direction, we classify all possible flavor symmetries of 4D massless spectra emerging from supersymmetric Abelian orbifold compactifications, including roto-translations and non-factorizable compact spaces, for generic moduli values. Although these symmetries are valid in all string theories, we focus on the E8 x E8 heterotic string. We perform the widest known search of E8 x E8 Abelian orbifold compactifications, yielding over …
We consider non-perturbative four dimensional N=1 space-time supersymmetric orientifolds corresponding to Type I compactifications on (generalized) Voisin-Borcea orbifolds. Some states in such compactifications arise in ``twisted'' open string sectors which lack world-sheet description in terms of D-branes. Using Type I-heterotic duality as well as the map between Type IIB orientifolds and F-theory we are able to obtain the massless spectra of such orientifolds. The four dimensional compactifications we discuss in this context are examples of chiral N=1 supersymmetric string vacua which are no…
We investigate compactifications with duality twists and their relation to orbifolds and compactifications with fluxes. Inequivalent compactifications are classified by conjugacy classes of the U-duality group and result in gauged supergravities in lower dimensions with nontrivial Scherk-Schwarz potentials on the moduli space. For certain twists, this mechanism is equivalent to introducing internal fluxes but is more general and can be used to stabilize some of the moduli. We show that the potential has stable minima with zero energy precisely at the fixed points of the twist group. In string …
We study the problem of moduli stabilisation in explicit heterotic orbifold compactifications, whose spectra contain the MSSM plus some vector-like exotics that can be decoupled. Considering all the bulk moduli, we obtain the 4D low energy effective action for the compactification, which has contributions from various, computable, perturbative and non-perturbative effects. Hidden sector gaugino condensation and string worldsheet instantons result in a combination of racetrack, KKLT and cusp-form contributions to the superpotential, which lift all the bulk moduli directions. We point out the pr…
We consider four dimensional N=1 supersymmetric Type I compactifications on toroidal orbifolds T^6/G. In particular, we focus on the Type I vacua which are perturbative from the orientifold viewpoint, that is, on the compactifications with well defined world-sheet expansion. The number of such models is rather constrained. This allows us to study all such vacua. This, in particular, involves considering compactifications with non-trivial NS-NS antisymmetric tensor backgrounds. We derive massless spectra for these models, and also compute superpotentials. We review the reasons responsible for s…
Heterotic orbifold compactifications yield a myriad of models that reproduce many properties of the supersymmetric extension of the standard model and provide potential solutions to persisting problems of high energy physics, such as the origin of the neutrino masses and the strong CP problem. However, the details of the phenomenology in these scenarios rely on the assumption of a stable vacuum, characterized by moduli fields. In this note, we drop this assumption and address the problem of moduli stabilization in realistic orbifold models. We study their qualities and their 4D effective actio…
Using a 5D N=1 supersymmetric toy-model compactified on S_1/(Z_2 x Z_2'), with a ``brane-localised'' superpotential, it is shown that higher (dimension) derivative operators are generated as one-loop counterterms to the (mass)^2 of the zero-mode scalar field, to ensure the quantum consistency of the model. Such operators are just a result of the compactification and integration of the bulk modes. They are relevant for the UV momentum scale dependence of the (mass)^2 of the zero-mode scalar field, regarded as a Higgs field in more realistic models. While suppressed for a small compactification …
