591 research outputs found
Closed String Tachyon Condensation: An Overview
These notes are an expanded version of a review lecture on closed string
tachyon condensation at the RTN workshop in Copenhagen in September 2003. We
begin with a lightning review of open string tachyon condensation, and then
proceed to review recent results on localized closed string tachyon
condensation, focusing on two simple systems, C/Z_n orbifolds and twisted
circle compactifications.Comment: harvmac, 59 pages; references adde
Automorphic Instanton Partition Functions on Calabi-Yau Threefolds
We survey recent results on quantum corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli
space M in type IIA/B string theory on a compact Calabi-Yau threefold X, or,
equivalently, the vector multiplet moduli space in type IIB/A on X x S^1. Our
main focus lies on the problem of resumming the infinite series of D-brane and
NS5-brane instantons, using the mathematical machinery of automorphic forms. We
review the proposal that whenever the low-energy theory in D=3 exhibits an
arithmetic "U-duality" symmetry G(Z) the total instanton partition function
arises from a certain unitary automorphic representation of G, whose Fourier
coefficients reproduce the BPS-degeneracies. For D=4, N=2 theories on R^3 x S^1
we argue that the relevant automorphic representation falls in the quaternionic
discrete series of G, and that the partition function can be realized as a
holomorphic section on the twistor space Z over M. We also offer some comments
on the close relation with N=2 wall crossing formulae.Comment: 25 pages, contribution to the proceedings of the workshop "Algebra,
Geometry and Mathematical Physics", Tjarno, Sweden, 25-30 October, 201
Scaling Cosmologies from Duality Twisted Compactifications
Oscillating moduli fields can support a cosmological scaling solution in the
presence of a perfect fluid when the scalar field potential satisfies
appropriate conditions. We examine when such conditions arise in
higher-dimensional, non-linear sigma-models that are reduced to four dimensions
under a generalized Scherk-Schwarz compactification. We show explicitly that
scaling behaviour is possible when the higher-dimensional action exhibits a
global SL(n,R) or O(2,2) symmetry. These underlying symmetries can be exploited
to generate non-trivial scaling solutions when the moduli fields have
non-canonical kinetic energy. We also consider the compactification of
eleven-dimensional vacuum Einstein gravity on an elliptic twisted torus.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figure
Extremal single-charge small black holes: Entropy function analysis
We study stretched horizons of the type AdS_2 x S^8 for certain spherically
symmetric extremal small black holes in type IIA carrying only D0-brane charge
making use of Sen's entropy function formalism for higher derivative gravity. A
scaling argument is given to show that the entropy of this class of black holes
for large charge behaves as \sqrt{|q|} where q is the electric charge. The
leading order result arises from IIA string loop corrections. We find that for
solutions to exist the force on a probe D0-brane has to vanish and we prove
that this feature persists to all higher derivative orders. We comment on the
nature of the extremum of these solutions and on the sub-leading corrections to
the entropy. The entropy of other small black holes related by dualities to our
case is also discussed.Comment: 19 pages, v2:typos corrected and references adde
Scherk-Schwarz Reduction of D=5 Special and Quaternionic Geometry
We give the N=2 gauged supergravity interpretation of a generic D=4, N=2
theory as it comes from generalized Scherk-Schwarz reduction of D=5, N=2
(ungauged) supergravity. We focus on the geometric aspects of the D=4 data such
as the general form of the scalar potential and masses in terms of the gauging
of a ``flat group''. Higgs and super-Higgs mechanism are discussed in some
detail.Comment: final version to be published on Class.Quant.Gra
Observations on Integral and Continuous U-duality Orbits in N=8 Supergravity
One would often like to know when two a priori distinct extremal black
p-brane solutions are in fact U-duality related. In the classical supergravity
limit the answer for a large class of theories has been known for some time.
However, in the full quantum theory the U-duality group is broken to a discrete
subgroup and the question of U-duality orbits in this case is a nuanced matter.
In the present work we address this issue in the context of N=8 supergravity in
four, five and six dimensions. The purpose of this note is to present and
clarify what is currently known about these discrete orbits while at the same
time filling in some of the details not yet appearing in the literature. To
this end we exploit the mathematical framework of integral Jordan algebras and
Freudenthal triple systems. The charge vector of the dyonic black string in D=6
is SO(5,5;Z) related to a two-charge reduced canonical form uniquely specified
by a set of two arithmetic U-duality invariants. Similarly, the black hole
(string) charge vectors in D=5 are E_{6(6)}(Z) equivalent to a three-charge
canonical form, again uniquely fixed by a set of three arithmetic U-duality
invariants. The situation in four dimensions is less clear: while black holes
preserving more than 1/8 of the supersymmetries may be fully classified by
known arithmetic E_{7(7)}(Z) invariants, 1/8-BPS and non-BPS black holes yield
increasingly subtle orbit structures, which remain to be properly understood.
However, for the very special subclass of projective black holes a complete
classification is known. All projective black holes are E_{7(7)}(Z) related to
a four or five charge canonical form determined uniquely by the set of known
arithmetic U-duality invariants. Moreover, E_{7(7)}(Z) acts transitively on the
charge vectors of black holes with a given leading-order entropy.Comment: 43 pages, 8 tables; minor corrections, references added; version to
appear in Class. Quantum Gra
A pp-Wave With 26 Supercharges
A pp-wave solution to 11-dimensional supergravity is given with precisely 26
supercharges. Its uniqueness and the absence of 11-dimensional pp-waves which
preserve (precisely) 28 or 30 supercharges is discussed. Compactification on a
spacelike circle gives a IIA configuration with all 26 of the supercharges. For
this compactification, D0 brane charge does not appear in the supersymmetry
algebra. Indeed, the 26 supercharge IIA background does not admit any
supersymmetric D-branes. In an appendix, a 28 supercharge IIB pp-wave is
presented along with its supersymmetry algebra.Comment: 18 pages REVTeX 4 and AMSLaTeX. v3: Equations (III.17) and (III.18)
corrected. Reference added. v4: more typos corrected and references adde
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