arXiv subjects

Burt A. Ovrut

Publications and source records attributed to Burt A. Ovrut.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Moduli Axions, Stabilizing Moduli and the Large Field Swampland Conjecture in Heterotic M-Theory

We compute the potential energy for the dilaton, complex structure and Kahler moduli and search of realistic vacua of heterotic M-theory compactified on Calabi-Yau threefolds. We present a protocol for deriving the potential that combines the non-perturbative complex structure, gaugino condensate and worldsheet instanton superpotentials in theories in which the hidden sector contains an anomalous $U(1)$ structure group. The Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation induces inhomogeneous axion transformations for the imaginary components of the dilaton and Kahler modulus. Using this protocol we obtain explicit examples in which potential has a global minimum at negative or zero vacuum density or a metastable minimum with positive vacuum density. In all three cases, the dilaton, Kahler modulus and associated axion moduli are completely stabilized. Finally, we show that, for any of these vacua, the potential energy satisfies the large scalar field Swampland conjecture.

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arXiv2024

Stable Vacua with Realistic Phenomenology and Cosmology in Heterotic M-theory Satisfying Swampland Conjectures

We recently described a protocol for computing the potential energy in heterotic M-theory for the dilaton, complex structure and Kähler moduli. This included the leading order non-perturbative contributions to the complex structure, gaugino condensation and worldsheet instantons assuming a hidden sector that contains an anomalous U(1) structure group embedded in $E_8$. In this paper, we elucidate, in detail, the mathematical and computational methods required to utilize this protocol. These methods are then applied to a realistic heterotic M-theory model, the $B-L$ MSSM, whose observable sector is consistent with all particle physics requirements. Within this context, it is shown that the dilaton and universal moduli can be completely stabilized at values compatible with every phenomenological and mathematical constraint -- as well as with $Λ$CDM cosmology. We also show that the heterotic M-theory vacua are consistent with all well-supported Swampland conjectures based on considerations of string theory and quantum gravity, and we discuss the implications of dark energy theorems for compactified theories.

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arXiv2023

Numerical spectra of the Laplacian for line bundles on Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces

We give the first numerical calculation of the spectrum of the Laplacian acting on bundle-valued forms on a Calabi-Yau three-fold. Specifically, we show how to compute the approximate eigenvalues and eigenmodes of the Dolbeault Laplacian acting on bundle-valued $(p,q)$-forms on Kähler manifolds. We restrict our attention to line bundles over complex projective space and Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces therein. We give three examples. For two of these, $\mathbb{P}^3$ and a Calabi-Yau one-fold (a torus), we compare our numerics with exact results available in the literature and find complete agreement. For the third example, the Fermat quintic three-fold, there are no known analytic results, so our numerical calculations are the first of their kind. The resulting spectra pass a number of non-trivial checks that arise from Serre duality and the Hodge decomposition. The outputs of our algorithm include all the ingredients one needs to compute physical Yukawa couplings in string compactifications.

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arXiv2022

FIMP Dark Matter in Heterotic M-Theory

Within the context of $N=1$ supersymmetric heterotic $M$-theory, we present a "freeze-in" mechanism for producing dark matter via a "moduli portal" between the observable and hidden sectors. It is assumed that the observable sector consists of the MSSM or some physically acceptable extension of it, while the hidden sector is chosen so as to satisfy all physical and mathematical constraints. Dark matter production processes are examined for two fundamental types of hidden sectors; those whose gauge bundle structure group contains an anomalous $U(1)$ and those whose structure group is non-Abelian and anomaly free. The couplings of the dilaton and the "universal" modulus to all fields of the observable and hidden sectors are presented and analyzed. These interactions are then combined to produce a moduli portal from a thermal bath of observable sector particles to the hidden sector. These processes are then analyzed for both the anomalous and non-anomalous cases. It is shown that only the uncharged hidden sector matter scalars can play the role of dark matter, and that these are predominantly produced during the "reheating" epoch on the observable sector. Within the context of both an anomalous and non-anomalous hidden sector, we calculated the dark matter "relic density". We show that in both case, for a wide choice of moduli vacua, one can correctly predict the observabled relic density. For the anomalous $U(1)$ case, we choose a specific physically acceptable vacuum within the context of the $B-L$ MSSM and show that one precisely obtains the measured dark matter relic abundance.

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arXiv2022

Moduli and Hidden Matter in Heterotic M-Theory with an Anomalous $U(1)$ Hidden Sector

This paper discusses the dilaton, Kähler moduli and hidden sector matter chiral superfields of heterotic $M$-theory vacua in which the hidden sector gauge bundle is chosen to be a line bundle with an anomalous U(1) structure group. For simplicity of notation, the theory is compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold with $h^{1,1}=1$, although all methods and results apply to more general heterotic compactifications. After introducing a non-perturbative $F$-term potential and coupling to supergravity, the canonically normalized scalar and fermion mass eigenstates, evaluated around a fixed supersymmetry breaking vacuum, are computed and the explicit expressions for their masses presented. In addition, the relevant couplings of these eigenstates to themselves and to chiral matter in the observable sector are evaluated. The decay rates of generic observable sector scalars into both moduli and hidden sector matter scalars and fermions are then presented. This opens the door to explicit calculations of the decay of an observable sector cosmological inflaton into moduli and hidden sector dark matter candidates. Finally, an explicit flux and gaugino condensate induced non-perturbative superpotential is introduced which is shown to stabilize three of the four real components of the moduli fields.

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arXiv2021

Calabi-Yau Metrics, Energy Functionals and Machine-Learning

We apply machine learning to the problem of finding numerical Calabi-Yau metrics. We extend previous work on learning approximate Ricci-flat metrics calculated using Donaldson's algorithm to the much more accurate "optimal" metrics of Headrick and Nassar. We show that machine learning is able to predict the Kähler potential of a Calabi-Yau metric having seen only a small sample of training data.

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arXiv2021

Machine Learning Line Bundle Connections

We study the use of machine learning for finding numerical hermitian Yang-Mills connections on line bundles over Calabi-Yau manifolds. Defining an appropriate loss function and focusing on the examples of an elliptic curve, a K3 surface and a quintic threefold, we show that neural networks can be trained to give a close approximation to hermitian Yang-Mills connections.

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arXiv2021

Heterotic $M$-Theory Hidden Sectors with an Anomalous $U(1)$ Gauge Symmetry

The hidden sector of heterotic $M$-theory vacua whose gauge bundle contains an anomalous $U(1)$ factor is discussed in detail. The mathematical formalism for computing the inhomogeneous transformation of the dilaton and Kähler moduli axions under an anomalous $U(1)$ transformation is presented. Along with matter multiplets, which transform homogeneously under $U(1)$, the relevant part of the $U(1)$ invariant low energy hidden sector Lagrangian is presented and analyzed. A detailed mathematical formalism is given for rotating these field to a new basis of chiral superfields with normalized kinetic energy and a diagonal mass matrix. It is shown that the scalar and fermionic components of one such chiral superfield give rise to a massive $U(1)$ vector superfield, whose mass is composed of both anomalous and Higgs contributions associated with the inhomogeneous and homogeneous transformations respectively. Two explicit examples are presented, with vanishing and non-zero Fayet-Iliopoulos term respectively. The canonically normalized hidden sector Lagrangian given here is restricted to gauge interactions only. A study of higher order interactions of the moduli and matter multiplets, as well as the coupling to supergravity, will be presented elsewhere.

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arXiv2021

Hidden Sectors from Multiple Line Bundles for the $B-L$ MSSM

We give a formalism for constructing hidden sector bundles as extensions of sums of line bundles in heterotic $M$-theory. Although this construction is generic, we present it within the context of the specific Schoen threefold that leads to the physically realistic $B-L$ MSSM model. We discuss the embedding of the line bundles, the existence of the extension bundle, and a number of necessary conditions for the resulting bundle to be slope-stable and thus $N=1$ supersymmetric. An explicit example is presented, where two line bundles are embedded into the $SU(3)$ factor of the $E_{6} \times SU(3)$ maximal subgroup of the hidden sector $E_{8}$ gauge group, and then enhanced to a non-Abelian $SU(3)$ bundle by extension. For this example, there are in fact six inequivalent extension branches, significantly generalizing that space of solutions compared with hidden sectors constructed from a single line bundle.

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arXiv2021

Explicit Soft Supersymmetry Breaking in the Heterotic M-Theory $B-L$ MSSM

The strongly coupled heterotic M-theory vacuum for both the observable and hidden sectors of the $B-L$ MSSM theory is reviewed, including a discussion of the "bundle" constraints that both the observable sector $SU(4)$ vector bundle and the a hidden sector bundle induced from a line bundle must satisfy. Gaugino condensation is then introduced within this context, and the hidden sector bundles that exhibit gaugino condensation are presented. The condensation scale is computed, singling out one line bundle whose associated condensation scale is low enough to be compatible with the energy scales available at the LHC. The corresponding region of Kähler moduli space where all bundle constraints are satisfied is presented. The generic form of the moduli dependent $F$-terms due to a gaugino superpotential - which spontaneously break $N=1$ supersymmetry in this sector - is presented and then given explicitly for the unique line bundle associated with the low condensation scale. The moduli dependent coefficients for each of the gaugino and scalar field soft supersymmetry breaking terms are computed leading to a low-energy effective Lagrangian for the observable sector matter fields. We then show that at a large number of points in Kähler moduli space that satisfy all "bundle" constraints, these coefficients are initial conditions for the renormalization group equations which, at low energy, lead to completely realistic physics satisfying all phenomenological constraints. Finally, we show that a substantial number of these initial points also satisfy a final constraint arising from the quadratic Higgs-Higgs conjugate soft supersymmetry breaking term.

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arXiv2021

Line Bundle Hidden Sectors for Strongly Coupled Heterotic Standard Models

The compactification from the eleven-dimensional Hořava-Witten orbifold to five-dimensional heterotic M-theory on a Schoen Calabi-Yau threefold is reviewed, as is the specific $SU(4)$ vector bundle leading to the "heterotic standard model" in the observable sector. Within the context of strongly coupled heterotic M-theory, a formalism for consistent hidden-sector bundles associated with a single line bundle is presented, and a specific line bundle is introduced as a concrete example. Anomaly cancellation and the associated bulk space five-branes are discussed in this context, as is the constraint that the hidden sector bundle be compatible with the slope-stability requirements of the observable sector $SU(4)$ gauge bundle. The further compactification to a four-dimensional effective theory on a linearized BPS double domain wall is then presented to order $κ_{11}^{4/3}$. Specifically, the generic constraints required for anomaly cancellation and the restrictions imposed by positive squared gauge couplings to order $κ_{11}^{4/3}$ are presented in detail. Three additional constraints are imposed, one guaranteeing that the $S^{1}/{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ orbifold length is sufficiently larger than the average Calabi-Yau radius, and two enforcing that the hidden sector be compatible with both the unification mass scale and unified gauge coupling of the $SO(10)$ group in the observable sector. Finally, the expression for the Fayet-Iliopoulos term associated with an anomalous $U(1)$ symmetry is presented and its role in $N=1$ supersymmetry in the low-energy effective theory is discussed. It is shown that $N=1$ supersymmetry can be preserved by cancelling the tree-level and genus-one contributions against each another.

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arXiv2020

Vacuum Constraints for Realistic Strongly Coupled Heterotic M-Theories

The compactification from the 11-dimensional Horava-Witten orbifold to 5-dimensional heterotic M-theory on a Schoen Calabi-Yau threefold is reviewed, as is the specific $SU(4)$ vector bundle leading to the "heterotic standard model" in the observable sector. A generic formalism for a consistent hidden sector gauge bundle, within the context of strongly coupled heterotic M-theory, is presented. Anomaly cancellation and the associated bulk space 5-branes are discussed in this context. The further compactification to a 4-dimensional effective field theory on a linearized BPS double domain wall is then presented to order $κ_{11}^{4/3}$. Specifically, the generic constraints required for anomaly cancellation and by the linearized domain wall solution, the constraints imposed by the necessity for positive, perturbative squared gauge couplings to this order and the restrictions on the $D$-terms for preserving or spontaneously breaking $N=1$ supersymmetry are presented.

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arXiv2019

Instantons and Hilbert Functions

We study superpotentials from worldsheet instantons in heterotic Calabi-Yau compactifications for vector bundles constructed from line bundle sums, monads and extensions. Within a certain class of manifolds and for certain second homology classes, we derive simple necessary conditions for a non-vanishing instanton superpotential. These show that non-vanishing instanton superpotentials are rare and require a specific pattern for the bundle construction. For the class of monad and extension bundles with this pattern, we derive a sufficient criterion for non-vanishing instanton superpotentials based on an affine Hilbert function. This criterion shows that a non-zero instanton superpotential is common within this class. The criterion can be checked using commutative algebra methods only and depends on the topological data defining the Calabi-Yau X and the vector bundle V.

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arXiv2019

Heterotic Instantons for Monad and Extension Bundles

We consider non-perturbative superpotentials from world-sheet instantons wrapped on holomorphic genus zero curves in heterotic string theory. These superpotential contributions feature prominently in moduli stabilization and large field axion inflation, which makes their presence or absence, as well as their functional dependence on moduli, an important issue. We develop geometric methods to compute the instanton superpotentials for heterotic string theory with monad and extension bundles. Using our methods, we find a variety of examples with a non-vanishing superpotential. In view of standard vanishing theorems, we speculate that these results are likely to be attributed to the non-compactness of the instanton moduli space. We test this proposal, for the case of monad bundles, by considering gauged linear sigma models where compactness of the instanton moduli space can be explicitly checked. In all such cases, we find that the geometric results are consistent with the vanishing theorems. Surprisingly, linearly dependent Pfaffians even arise for cases with a non-compact instanton moduli space. This suggests some gauged linear sigma models with a non-compact instanton moduli space may still have a vanishing instanton superpotential.

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arXiv2019

$R$-parity Violating Decays of Bino Neutralino LSPs at the LHC

The $R$-parity violating decays of Bino neutralino LSPs are analyzed within the context of the $B-L$ MSSM "heterotic standard model". These LSPs correspond to statistically determined initial soft supersymmetry breaking parameters which, when evolved using the renormalization group equations, lead to an effective theory satisfying all phenomenological requirements; including the observed electroweak vector boson masses and the Higgs mass. The explicit RPV decay channels of these LSPs into standard model particles, the analytic and numerical decay rates and the associated branching ratios are presented. The analysis of these quantities breaks into two separate calculations; first, for Bino neutralino LSPs with mass larger than $M_{W^{\pm}}$ and, second, when the Bino neutralino mass is smaller than the electroweak scale. The RPV decay processes in both of these regions is analyzed in detail. The decay lengths of these RPV interactions are discussed. It is shown that for heavy Bino neutralino LSPs the vast majority of these decays are "prompt", although a small, but calculable, number correspond to "displaced" decays of various lengths. The situation is reversed for light Bino LSPs, only a small number of which can RPV decay promptly. The relation of these results to the neutrino hierarchy--either normal or inverted--is discussed in detail.

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arXiv2019

$R$-parity Violating Decays of Wino Chargino and Wino Neutralino LSPs and NLSPs at the LHC

The $R$-parity violating decays of both Wino chargino and Wino neutralino LSPs are analyzed within the context of the $B-L$ MSSM "heterotic standard model". These LSPs correspond to statistically determined initial soft supersymmetry breaking parameters which, when evolved using the renormalization group equations, lead to an effective theory satisfying all phenomenological requirements; including the observed electroweak vector boson and Higgs masses. The explicit decay channels of these LSPs into standard model particles, the analytic and numerical decay rates and the associated branching ratios are presented. The decay lengths of these RPV interactions are discussed. It is shown that the vast majority of these decays are "prompt", although a small, but calculable, number correspond to "displaced vertices" of various lengths. It is demonstrated that for a Wino chargino LSP, the NLSP is the Wino neutralino with a mass only slightly higher than the LSP-- and vice-versa. As a consequence, we show that both the Wino chargino and Wino neutralino LSP/NLSP $R$-parity violating decays should be simultaneously observable at the CERN LHC.

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arXiv2019

The $R$-parity Violating Decays of Charginos and Neutralinos in the B-L MSSM

The $B-L$ MSSM is the MSSM with three right-handed neutrino chiral multiplets and gauged $B-L$ symmetry. The $B-L$ symmetry is broken by the third family right-handed sneutrino acquiring a VEV, thus spontaneously breaking $R$-parity. Within a natural range of soft supersymmetry breaking parameters, it is shown that a large and uncorrelated number of initial values satisfy all present phenomenological constraints; including the correct masses for the $W^{\pm}$, $Z^0$ bosons, having all sparticles exceeding their present lower bounds and giving the experimentally measured value for the Higgs boson. For this "valid" set of initial values, there are a number of different LSPs, each occurring a calculable number of times. We plot this statistically and determine that among the most prevalent LSPs are chargino and neutralino mass eigenstates. In this paper, the $R$-parity violating decay channels of charginos and neutralinos to standard model particles are determined, and the interaction vertices and decay rates computed analytically. These results are valid for any chargino and neutralino, regardless of whether or not they are the LSP. For chargino and neutralino LSPs, we will-- in a subsequent series of papers --present a numerical study of their RPV decays evaluated statistically over the range of associated valid initial points.

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arXiv2018

Perturbative Reheating in Sneutrino-Higgs Cosmology

The theory of perturbative reheating in the Sneutrino-Higgs cosmology of the $B-L$ MSSM is presented. It is shown that following an epoch of inflation consistent with all Planck2015 data, the inflaton begins to oscillate around its minimum at zero and to reheat to various species of standard model and supersymmetric matter. The perturbative decay rates to this matter are computed, both analytically and numerically. Using these results, the Hubble parameter and the relative energy densities for each matter species, including that of the inflaton, are calculated numerically. The inflaton energy density is demonstrated to vanish at an energy scale of ${\cal{O}}(10^{13})~{\rm GeV}$, signaling the end of the period of reheating. The newly created matter background is shown to be in thermal equilibrium, with a reheating temperature of $\simeq 1.13 \times 10^{13}~{\rm GeV}$. To allow for a $B-L$ breaking scale sufficiently smaller than the reheating scale, we extend the statistical method of determining the soft supersymmetry breaking parameters developed in previous work. The result is that one can determine a large number of phenomenologically realistic initial conditions for which the $B-L$ breaking scale is an order of magnitude or more smaller than the reheating scale.

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