One-loop and D-instanton corrections to the effective action of open string models

One-loop corrections to the gauge coupling and the gauge kinetic function in certain classes of four-dimensional D-brane models are computed. It is described how to determine D-instanton corrections to the superpotential and the gauge kinetic function in such models. The Affleck-Dine-Seiberg superpotential is rederived in string theory. The existence of a new class of multi-instantons, dubbed poly-instantons, is conjectured.Comment: This article is essentially the main part of the author's PhD thesi

Power Towers of String Instantons for N=1 Vacua

We provide arguments for the existence of novel hereinafter called poly-instanton corrections to holomorphic couplings in four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric string compactifications. After refining quantitatively the D-brane instanton calculus for corrections to the gauge kinetic function, we explicitly apply it to the Type I toroidal orbifold defined in arXiv:0710.3080 and compare the results to the proposed heterotic S-dual model. This leads us to the intriguing conclusion that N=1 string vacua feature a power tower like proliferation of instanton corrections.Comment: 34 pages, 8 figure

Instantons and Holomorphic Couplings in Intersecting D-brane Models

We clarify certain aspects and discuss extensions of the recently introduced string D-instanton calculus (hep-th/0609191). The one-loop determinants are related to one-loop open string threshold corrections in intersecting D6-brane models. Utilising a non-renormalisation theorem for the holomorphic Wilsonian gauge kinetic functions, we derive a number of constraints for the moduli dependence of the matter field Kaehler potentials of intersecting D6-brane models on the torus. Moreover, we compute string one-loop corrections to the Fayet-Iliopoulos terms on the D6-branes finding that they are proportional to the gauge threshold corrections. Employing these results, we discuss the issue of holomorphy for E2-instanton corrections to the superpotential. Eventually, we discuss E2-instanton corrections to the gauge kinetic functions and the FI-terms.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figure

Thresholds for Intersecting D-branes Revisited

Gauge threshold corrections for intersecting D6-brane string models on toroidal orbifold backgrounds are reconsidered. Both by dimensionally regularising the appearing open string one-loop diagrams in tree-channel as well as by zeta-function regularisation of the corresponding loop-channel one-loop diagrams, we arrive at a result which takes into account the infrared divergence from the contribution of the massless states in the running of the gauge coupling constant as well as the contribution of states, which become light in certain regions of the moduli space.Comment: 14 page

Gauge Thresholds and Kaehler Metrics for Rigid Intersecting D-brane Models

The gauge threshold corrections for globally consistent Z2 x Z2' orientifolds with rigid intersecting D6-branes are computed. The one-loop corrections to the holomorphic gauge kinetic function are extracted and the Kaehler metrics for the charged chiral multiplets are determined up to two constants.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figure; v2: minor modifications, version to appear in JHE

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements