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arXiv · hep-th/9510182

Algebras, BPS States, and Strings

J. A. Harvey·G. Moore
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Abstract

We clarify the role played by BPS states in the calculation of threshold corrections of D=4, N=2 heterotic string compactifications. We evaluate these corrections for some classes of compactifications and show that they are sums of logarithmic functions over the positive roots of generalized Kac-Moody algebras. Moreover, a certain limit of the formulae suggests a reformulation of heterotic string in terms of a gauge theory based on hyperbolic algebras such as $E_{10}$. We define a generalized Kac-Moody Lie superalgebra associated to the BPS states. Finally we discuss the relation of our results with string duality.

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J. A. Harvey, G. Moore. 1996-01-09. Algebras, BPS States, and Strings. https://doi.org/10.1016/0550-3213(95)00605-2

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