Arguments for F-theory

After a brief review of string and $M$-Theory we point out some deficiencies. Partly to cure them, we present several arguments for ``$F$-Theory'', enlarging spacetime to $(2, 10)$ signature, following the original suggestion of C. Vafa. We introduce a suggestive Supersymmetric 27-plet of particles, associated to the exceptional symmetric hermitian space $E_{6}/Spin^{c}(10)$. Several possible future directions, including using projective rather than metric geometry, are mentioned. We should emphasize that $F$-Theory is yet just a very provisional attempt, lacking clear dynamical principles.Comment: To appear in early 2006 in Mod. Phys. Lett. A as Brief Revie

Aspects of F-Theory GUTs

The basic tools for model building in F-theory are reviewed and applied to the construction of SU(5) models. The flux mechanism for gauge symmetry breaking and doublet triplet splitting is analysed. A short account for the gauge coupling unification and the role of flux and Kaluza-Klein thresholds is also given.Comment: 37 pages. Based on Talk presented at Corfu 2011 Workshop "Fields and Strings: Theory - Cosmology - Phenomenology. September 14 - 18, 2011". (Prepared for the proceedings

Axion Inflation in F-theory

We study the dynamics of axion-like fields in F-theory and suggest that they can serve as inflatons in models of natural inflation. The axions arise from harmonic three-forms on the F-theory compactification space and parameterize a complex torus that varies over the geometric moduli space. In particular, this implies that the axion decay constants depend on the complex structure moduli that can be fixed by background fluxes. This might allow tuning them to be super-Planckian in a controlled way and allow for interesting single field inflationary models. We argue that this requires a localization of the three-forms near regions of strong string coupling, analogously to the reasoning that GUT physics requires the use of F-theory. These models can admit a tensor to scalar ratio r>0.1.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure; v2: added clarifying remarks and reference

Phenomenological Aspects of F-theory

Stabilizing a heterotic string vacuum with a large expectation value of the dilaton and simultaneously breaking low-energy supersymmetry is a long-standing problem of string phenomenology. We reconsider these issues in light of the recent developments in F-theory.Comment: 11 pages, phyzzx macro