According to the KKLT scenario, metastable dS vacua are formed as a result of uplifting of supersymmetric AdS vacua by $\overline {D3}$ branes. I describe an extended version of this scenario where metastable dS vacua appear after an uplift from a state where the potential of the volume modulus in the absence of $\overline {D3}$ branes would be unbounded below. This mechanism may considerably strengthen vacuum stabilization in the early universe.
The KKLT scenario, one of the few ideas to realize dS vacua in string theory, consists of two steps: the first involves the construction of a supersymmetric AdS vacuum with a small negative cosmological constant, and the second involves breaking supersymmetry and uplifting the energy to achieve dS. In this paper we use conventional holography to argue why it is not possible to complete the first step. We obtain this by putting a bound on the central charge of the dual theory which involves branes wrapping special Lagrangian cycles in CY 4-folds. We find that $l_{\rm AdS}^2 \lesssim χ(CY_4)$. S…
The KKLT scenario in a warped throat, if consistent, provides a concrete counterexample to both the AdS scale separation and the dS swampland conjectures. First, we define and analyze the relevant effective field theory for the conifold modulus and the overall Kaehler modulus that both have exponentially small masses. The scalar potential still admits KKLT-like AdS and dS minima. Second, we critically analyze the reliability of the employed Wilsonian effective action by evaluating the masses of light modes localized in the warped throat. The resulting mass spectrum is discussed with respect to…
It has recently been conjectured that string theory does not admit de Sitter critical points. This note points out that in several cases, including KKLT or racetrack models, this statement is equivalent to the absence of supersymmetric Minkowski or AdS solutions. This equivalence arises from establishing the positivity of the potential in a large-radius limit, requiring a turnover of the potential before reaching an AdS vacuum. For example, this conjecture is incompatible with the simplest 1-modulus KKLT AdS supersymmetric solution.
We present a general discussion of the properties of three dimensional CFT duals to the AdS string theory vacua coming from type IIB Calabi-Yau flux compactifications. Both KKLT and Large Volume Scenario (LVS) minima are considered. In both cases we identify the large `central charge', find a separation of scales between the radius of AdS and the size of the extra dimensions and show that the dual CFT has only a limited number of operators with small conformal dimension. Differences between the two sets of duals are identified. Besides a different amount of supersymmetry ($\mathcal{N}=1$ for K…
Gaugino condensation on D-branes wrapping internal cycles gives a mechanism to stabilize the associated moduli. According to the effective field theory, this gives rise, when combined with fluxes, to supersymmetric AdS$_4$ solutions. In this paper we provide a ten-dimensional description of these vacua. We first find the supersymmetry equations for type II AdS$_4$ vacua with gaugino condensates on D-branes, in the framework of generalized complex geometry. We then solve them for type IIB compactifications with gaugino condensates on smeared D7-branes. We show that supersymmetry requires a (con…
An anti-D3-brane plays a crucial role in the construction of semi-realistic cosmological models in string theory. Part of its action provides an uplift term that has been used to lift AdS solutions to phenomenologically viable dS vacua in the KKLT and LVS setups. In the last few years it has been shown that this uplift breaks supersymmetry spontaneously and can be described in the 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ supergravity language by using constrained supermultiplets. Here we derive the complete 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ supergravity action for an anti-D3-brane coupled to all closed string background fields. I…
We propose a new mechanism for obtaining de Sitter vacua in type IIB string theory compactified on (orientifolded) Calabi-Yau manifolds similar to those recently studied by Kachru, Kallosh, Linde and Trivedi (KKLT). dS vacuum appears in KKLT model after uplifting an AdS vacuum by adding an anti-D3-brane, which explicitly breaks supersymmetry. We accomplish the same goal by adding fluxes of gauge fields within the D7-branes, which induce a D-term potential in the effective 4D action. In this way we obtain dS space as a spontaneously broken vacuum from a purely supersymmetric 4D action. We argue…
We discuss the problem of metastable SUSY breaking in the landscape. While this is clearly crucial for the various de Sitter proposals, it is also interesting to consider the SUSY breaking challenge in the AdS context. For example, it could be that a stronger form of the non-SUSY AdS conjecture holds: It would forbid even metastable non-SUSY AdS in cases where the SUSY-breaking scale is parametrically above/below the AdS scale. At the technical level, the present paper proposes to break SUSY using the multi-cosine-shaped axion potentials which arise if a long winding trajectory of a `complex-s…
Using a 10D lift of non-perturbative volume stabilization in type IIB string theory we study the limitations for obtaining de Sitter vacua. Based on this we find that the simplest KKLT vacua with a single Kahler modulus stabilized by a gaugino condensate cannot be uplifted to de Sitter. Rather, the uplift flattens out due to stronger backreaction on the volume modulus than has previously been anticipated, resulting in vacua which are meta-stable and SUSY breaking, but that are always AdS. However, we also show that setups such as racetrack stabilization can avoid this issue. In these models it…
We obtain finite-temperature M2 black branes in 11-dimensional supergravity, in a $G_4$-flux background whose self-dual part approaches a solution of Cvetič, Gibbons, Lü, and Pope, based upon Stenzel's family of Ricci-flat Kähler deformed cones. Our solutions are asymptotically $AdS_4$ times a 7-dimensional Stiefel manifold $V_{5,2}$, and the branes are ``smeared'' to retain $SO(5)$ symmetry in the internal space. The solutions represent a mass deformation of the corresponding dual $CFT_3$, whose full description is at this time only partially-understood. We investigate the possibility of a co…
We apply a new self-tuning mechanism to the well-known Kachru-Kallosh-Linde-Trivedi (KKLT) model to address the cosmological constant problem. In this mechanism the cosmological constant $λ$ contains a supersymmetry breaking term ${\mathcal E}_{\rm SB}$ besides the usual scalar potential ${\mathcal V}_{\rm scalar}$ of the $N=1$ supergravity, which is distinguished from the usual theories where $λ$ is directly identified with ${\mathcal V}_{\rm scalar}$ alone. Also in this mechanism, whether $λ$ vanishes or not is basically determined by the tensor structure of the scalar potential density, not…
We describe the back-reaction of gaugino condensates in supersymmetric AdS$_4$ Type II String Theory compactifications with fluxes. We use generalized complex geometry to capture the modification of the ten-dimensional supersymmetry equations and show that the cosmological constant prevents the cycle wrapped by the branes with gaugino condensation from shrinking to zero size. Thus, unlike in ordinary geometric transitions in flat space, the volume of this cycle remains finite. For D7 branes with gaugino condensation, this gives a ten-dimensional account of Kähler moduli stabilization. Furtherm…
We discuss general properties of moduli stablization in KKLT scenarios in type IIB orientifold compactifications. In particular, we find conditions for the Kaehler potential to allow a KKLT scenario for a manifold X_6 without complex structure moduli, i.e. h_(2,1)(X_6)=0. This way, a whole class of type IIB orientifolds with h_(2,1)(X_6)=0 is ruled out. This excludes in particular all Z_N- and Z_N x Z_M-orientifolds X_6 with h_(2,1)(X_6)=0 for a KKLT scenario. This concerns Z_3, Z_7, Z_3 x Z_3, Z_4 x Z_4, Z_6 x Z_6 and Z_2 x Z_6' -both at the orbifold point and away from it. Furthermore, we pr…
We study the non-perturbative stability of the Large Volume Scenario (LVS) of IIB string compactifications, by analysing transitions mediated by the Brown-Teitelboim (BT) brane nucleations and by Coleman De Luccia tunneling (CDL). We find that, as long as the effective field theory description holds, the LVS AdS minima are stable despite being non-supersymmetric. This opens the possibility of having a CFT dual. Metastable de Sitter vacua behave differently depending on the uplifting mechanism. We find explicit expressions for the different decay rates in terms of exponentials of the volume. Am…
Based on recent discussions on the so-called unconventional supersymmetry, we propose a 5D Chern-Simons AdS-$\mathcal{N}$-SUGRA formulation without gravitino fields and show that a residual local SUSY is preserved. We explore the properties of CS theories to find a solution to the field equations in a 5D manifold. With a Randall-Sundrum-type ansatz, we show that this particular dimensional reduction is compatible with SUSY, and some classes of 4D solutions are then analyzed.
We propose a new non-holographic formulation of AdS/CFT correspondence, according to which quantum gravity on AdS and its dual non-gravitational field theory both live in the same number D of dimensions. The field theory, however, appears (D-1)-dimensional because the interactions do not propagate in one of the dimensions. The D-dimensional action for the field theory can be identified with the sum over (D-1)-dimensional actions with all possible values $Λ$ of the UV cutoff, so that the extra hidden dimension can be identified with $Λ$. Since there are no interactions in the extra dimension, m…
The equations of motion and boundary conditions for the fluctuations around a classical open string, in a curved space-time with torsion, are considered in compact and world-sheet covariant form. The rigidly rotating open strings in Anti de Sitter space with and without torsion are investigated in detail. By carefully analyzing the tangential fluctuations at the boundary, we show explicitly that the physical fluctuations (which at the boundary are combinations of normal and tangential fluctuations) are finite, even though the world-sheet is singular there. The divergent 2-curvature thus seems …
We elaborate on the recent work of Moritz et. al. where it is argued that anti-brane uplifting in KKLT models never leads to dS vacua. This is due to flattening effects in the effective potential found when treating the gaugino condensate energy momentum in ten-dimensional supergravity. We point out that the Silverstein-Saltman uplift, which effectively dissolves the anti-brane in 3-form fluxes, is a conceptually simpler setting in which flattening effects can be present, without requiring assumptions about UV/IR mixings. Along the way we revise and improve on the arguments of Moritz et. al. a…
Fields and Strings Laboratory, Institute of Physics, École Polytechnique Fédéral de Lausanne (EPFL)（洛桑联邦理工学院物理研究所弦与场实验室）；Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Torino, and Department of Physics, University of Turin（意大利国家核物理都灵分部及都灵大学物理系）；Laboratory for Theoretical Fundamental Physics, Institute of Physics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)（洛桑联邦理工学院物理研究所基础物理实验室）；Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (WPI), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo（东京大学前沿研究综合中心宇宙物理与数学 Kavli 研究所）；Institut de Physique Théorique, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS（巴黎萨克雷大学理论物理研究所）
Anti-de Sitter (AdS) vacua, being theoretically important, might have an unexpected impact on the observable universe. We find that in early dark energy (EDE) scenarios the existence of AdS vacua around recombination can effectively lift the CMB-inferred $H_0$ value. As an example, we study a phenomenological EDE model with an AdS phase starting at the redshift $z\sim2000$ and ending shortly after recombination (hereafter the universe will settle down in a $Λ>0$ phase until now), and obtain a best-fit $H_0=72.74$ km/s/Mpc without degrading the CMB fit compared with the standard $Λ$CDM model.
We study the confinement/deconfinement phase transition of holographic AdS/QCD models by using Ricci flat $AdS_5$ black holes up to ${\cal O}(α'^3)$, which corresponds to the $λ$ expansion correction in the dual field theory to $λ^{-3/2}$, where $λ$ is the 't Hooft coupling constant. We consider two cases: one is the hard-wall AdS/QCD model where a small radius region of the $AdS_5$ is removed; the other is the case where one of spatial coordinates for the $AdS_5$ space is compactified, resulting in Witten's QCD model in 2+1 dimensions. We find that in the hard-wall AdS/QCD model, the deconfin…
We reformulate the Randall-Sundrum (RS) model on the compactified AdS by adding a term proportional to the area of the boundary to the usual gravity action with a negative cosmological constant and show that gravity can still be localized on the boundary without introducing singular brane sources. The boundary conditions now follow from the field equations, which are obtained by letting the induced metric vary on the boundary. This approach gives similar modes that are obtained in [1] and clarifies the complementarity of the RS and the AdS/CFT pictures. Normalizability of these modes is checke…
A new method is discussed which vastly simplifies one of the two integrals over AdS(d+1) required to compute exchange graphs for 4-point functions of scalars in the AdS/CFT correspondence. The explicit form of the bulk-to-bulk propagator is not required. Previous results for scalar, gauge boson and graviton exchange are reproduced, and new results are given for massive vectors. It is found that precisely for the cases that occur in the AdS(5) X S(5) compactification of Type IIB supergravity, the exchange diagrams reduce to a finite sum of graphs with quartic scalar vertices. The analogous inte…
We point out that it is possible to define CFT duals to AdS theories with massive gravitons only. This is achieved by considering the product of two or more CFTs on the boundary, each possessing a large-N expansion and a corresponding bulk dual. It is possible to couple the CFTs through a marginal perturbation that makes all but one of the bulk gravitons massive. In the infinite-N limit for one of the CFTs the massless graviton decouples.
We analyse the most general bosonic supersymmetric solutions of type IIB supergravity whose metrics are warped products of five-dimensional anti-de Sitter space (AdS$_5$) with a five-dimensional Riemannian manifold $M_{5}$, where the five-form flux vanishes, while all remaining fluxes are allowed to be non-vanishing consistent with SO(4,2) symmetry. This completes the program of classifying all supersymmetric solutions of ten and eleven-dimensional supergravity with an AdS$_5$ factor. We investigate the supersymmetry conditions in some special cases, and demonstrate how these are satisfied by …
We show by means of the AdS/CFT correspondence in the context of quantum gravity how inter-representational relations - loosely speaking relations among different equivalent representations of one and the same physics - can play out as a tool for intra-theoretical developments and thus boost theory development in the context of discovery. More precisely, we first show that, as a duality, the AdS/CFT correspondence cannot in itself testify to the quantum origin of gravity (though it may be utilized for this purpose). We then establish through two case studies from emergent gravity (Jacobson (20…
We present a formula for the holographic 4-point correlators in AdS$_3 \times S^3$ involving four single-trace operators of dimension $k, k, l, l$. As an input we use the supergravity results for the Heavy-Heavy-Light-Light correlators that can be derived by studying the linear fluctuations around known asymptotically AdS$_3 \times S^3$ geometries. When the operators of dimension $k$ and $l$ are in the same multiplet there are contributions due to the exchange of single-trace operators in the $t$ and $u$ channels, which are not captured by the approach mentioned above. However by rewriting the…
We study the stability of Freund-Rubin compactifications, AdS_p x M_q, of p+q-dimensional gravity theories with a q-form field strength and no cosmological term. We show that the general AdS_p x S^q vacuum is classically stable against small fluctuations, in the sense that all modes satisfy the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound. In particular, the compactifications used in the recent discussion of the proposed bosonic M-theory are perturbatively stable. Our analysis treats all modes arising from the graviton and the q-form, and is completely independent of supersymmetry. From the masses of the line…
Based on recent discussions on the so-called unconventional supersymmetry, we analyze a class of solutions of a 5D Chern-Simons AdS-$\mathcal{N}$-SUGRA formulation without gravitino fields. With a Randall-Sundrum-type ansatz, we exploit the properties of Chern-Simons theories to find solutions to the fermionic field equations in a particular dimensional reduction context. We show that this specific dimensional reduction yields a non-trivial equation of motion for the fermionic field. We actually get a non-linear equation of motion for the fermionic fields, typical of models where torsion is pr…
This companion paper to arXiv:2109.00065 explores the interpretation of $AdS_3/CFT_2$ duality for $k=(R_{AdS}/\lstr)^2<1$ in terms of "non-critical little string theory". We review the underlying fivebrane structure of 1/2-BPS backgrounds for string theory in both the critical dimension and for non-critical models. D-branes bound to the fivebranes in these backgrounds are associated to nonabelian little strings, and flesh out a picture of the correspondence transition at $k=1$ wherein the nonabelian little string excitations lose their Hagedorn entropy, allowing the Hagedorn entropy of fundame…
We revisit the 1/2-BPS D-branes on the AdS$_5\times$S$^5$ background. Based only on the classification of 1/2-BPS D-branes obtained by the covariant open string description, we consider various purely static configurations of D-branes without any worldvolume flux on the AdS$_5\times$S$^5$ background. Under the covariant $κ$ symmetry fixing condition, we investigate which part the spacetime supersymmetries is preserved on the D-brane worldvolume and obtain the associated worldvolume supersymmetry transformation rules to leading order in the worldvolume fluctuating fields. It is shown that, for …
We consider gauge/gravity correspondence between maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in ($p+1$) dimensions and superstring theory on the near-horizon limit of the D$p$-brane solution. The string-frame metric is AdS$_{p+1}\times S^{8-p}$ times a Weyl factor, and there is no conformal symmetry except for $p=3$. In a previous paper by one of the present authors, the free-field result of gauge theory has been reproduced from string theory for a particular operator which has angular momentum along $S^{8-p}$. In this paper, we extend this result to operators which have angular momenta along A…
It is observed that the (intersecting) branes of M/string theory, which are known to give AdS geometry (directly or upto a conformal transformation) in the near horizon limit, do also lead to Schr\" odinger/Lifshitz dual space-times (without or with hyperscaling violation) upon using appropriate solution generating transformation and dimensional reduction. We show that the dynamical exponents of the Schr\" odinger and the Lifshitz space-times obtained in this way always add upto 2. We illustrate this by several examples, including M2-, M5-branes of M-theory and D$(p+1)$-branes ($p\neq 4$, sinc…
We consider flux vacua attractor equations in type IIA string theory compactified on generalized geometries with orientifold projections. The four-dimensional N=1 superpotential in this compactification can be written as the sum of the Ramond-Ramond superpotential and a term described by (non)geometric flux charges. We exhibit a simple model in which supersymmetric AdS and Minkowski solutions are classified by means of discriminants of the two superpotentials. We further study various configurations without Ramond-Ramond flux charges. In this case we find supersymmetric AdS vacua both in the c…
We study the localization of various bulk fields on an $AdS_4$ brane in $AdS_5$. In this case, for a small brane cosmological constant, all the bulk fields ranging from scalar to graviton are naturally confined to the brane only through the gravitational interaction. In particular, for the vector field we can find an interesting zero mode solution which satisfies the box boundary condition. In the cases of spin 1/2 spinor and 3/2 gravitino fields, the form of zero modes is very similar to as in a flat Minkowski brane, but they are trapped on the $AdS_4$ brane even without introducing a mass te…
In this paper we show that one can have asymptotically de Sitter (dS), anti-de Sitter (AdS) and flat solutions in Gauss-Bonnet gravity without any need to a cosmological constant term in field equations. First, we introduce static solutions whose 3-surfaces at fixed $r$ and $t$ have constant positive ($k=1$), negative ($k=-1$), or zero ($k=0$) curvature. We show that for $k=\pm1$, one can have asymptotically dS, AdS and flat spacetimes, while for the case of $k=0$, one has only asymptotically AdS solutions. Some of these solutions present naked singularities, while some others are black hole o…
We present some generalities of unfolded on-shell dynamics that are useful in analysing the BMV conjecture for mixed-symmetry fields in constantly curved backgrounds. In particular we classify the Lorentz-covariant Harish-Chandra modules generated from primary Weyl tensors of arbitrary mass and shape, and in backgrounds with general values of the cosmological constant. We also discuss the unfolded notion of local degrees of freedom in theories with and without gravity and with and without massive deformation parameters, using the language of Weyl zero-form modules and their duals.
We compute the thermodynamic properties of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) models of fermions with a conserved fermion number, $\mathcal{Q}$. We extend a previously proposed Schwarzian effective action to include a phase field, and this describes the low temperature energy and $\mathcal{Q}$ fluctuations. We obtain higher-dimensional generalizations of the SYK models which display disordered metallic states without quasiparticle excitations, and we deduce their thermoelectric transport coefficients. We also examine the corresponding properties of Einstein-Maxwell-scalar theories on black brane geom…
We study supersymmetric AdS$_7$ vacua of massive type IIA string theory, which were argued to describe the near-horizon limit of NS5/D6/D8-brane intersections and to be holographically dual to 6D $(1,0)$ theories. We show, for the case without D8-brane charges, that such vacua do not admit any supersymmetry-breaking deformations. Our result implies that the dual $(1,0)$ theories do not have a conformal manifold, thus extending previously known results for supersymmetric deformations. It is also in line with the recent conjecture that non-supersymmetric AdS vacua are in the swampland.
How to gauge fix $\k$-symmetry for the super 0-brane action on $AdS_2 \times S^2$ in Killing gauge properly is discussed in order to find the superconformal mechanics which describes super 0-brane probes moving on $AdS_2 \times S^2$. The dependence on the coordinate frame for the proper Killing gauge is considered and the subtleties of gauge-fixing $\k$-symmetry in Killing gauge are analysed explicitly. It is found that the Killing gauge works indeed without the imcompatibility if the magnetic charge of the super 0-brane is nonzero.
Higher derivative bulk gravity (without Riemann tensor square term) admits AdS-Schwarzschild black hole as exact solution. It is shown that induced brane geometry on such background is open, flat or closed FRW radiation dominated Universe. Higher derivative terms contributions appear in the Hawking temperature, entropy and Hubble parameter via the redefinition of 5-dimensional gravitational constant and AdS scale parameter. These higher derivative terms do not destroy the AdS-dual description of radiation represented by strongly-coupled CFT. Cardy-Verlinde formula which expresses cosmological …
We develop a new hybrid WKB technique to compute boundary-to-boundary scalar Green functions in asymptotically-AdS backgrounds in which the scalar wave equation is separable and is explicitly solvable in the asymptotic region. We apply this technique to a family of six-dimensional $\frac{1}{8}$-BPS asymptotically AdS$_3\,\times\,$S$^3$ horizonless geometries that have the same charges and angular momenta as a D1-D5-P black hole with a large horizon area. At large and intermediate distances, these geometries very closely approximate the extremal-BTZ$\,\times\,$S$^3$ geometry of the black hole, …
We consider the open superstring action in the AdS$_4 \times \mathbf{CP}^3$ background and investigate the suitable boundary conditions for the open superstring describing the 1/2-BPS D-branes by imposing the $κ$-symmetry of the action. This results in the classification of 1/2-BPS D-branes from covariant open superstring. It is shown that the 1/2-BPS D-brane configurations are restricted considerably by the Kähler structure on $\mathbf{CP}^3$. We just consider D-branes without worldvolume fluxes.
We study AdS duals of four-dimensional (4D) $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) on $\mathbb{Z}_k$ S-folds with T-branes that flow to 4D $\mathcal{N}=3$ theories. In a previous study, it was discussed how considering T-brane structure breaks the $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry in 4D SCFTs on $\mathbb{Z}_k$ S-folds down to $\mathcal{N}=1$. In this study, we analyze this effect from the AdS perspective. We also discuss the constructions of 4D $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFTs on S-folds with T-branes starting from global K3 hypersurfaces whose fibers involve complex multiplications. We choose…
We classify the non-supersymmetric, and perturbatively stable within $D=4$, AdS vacua of maximal $D=4$ supergravity with a dyonic ISO(7) gauging in a large sector of the supergravity. Seven such vacua are established within this sector, all of them giving rise to non-supersymmetric $\textrm{AdS}_{4} \times \textrm{S}^{6}$ type IIA backgrounds with and without non-trivial warpings and with internal fluxes. Then, we analyse the dynamics of various probe D$p$-branes in these backgrounds searching for potential brane-jet instabilities. In all these cases, such instabilities are absent. Finally, an…
