arXiv subjects

Dieter Lust

Publications and source records attributed to Dieter Lust.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

$H_0$ tension and the String Swampland

[Abridged] We realize the Agrawal-Obied-Vafa (AOV) swampland proposal of fading dark matter by the model of Salam-Sezgin and its string realization of Cvetic-Gibbons-Pope. The model describes a compactification of 6-dimensional supergravity with a monopole background on a 2-sphere. In 4 dimensions, there are 2 scalar fields, $X$ and $Y $, and the effective potential in the Einstein frame is an exponential with respect to $Y$ times a quadratic polynomial in the field $e^{-X}$. When making the volume of the 2-sphere large, namely for large values of $Y$, there appears a tower of states, which according to the infinite distance swampland conjecture becomes exponentially massless. If the standard model fields are confined on Neveu-Schwarz 5-branes the 6-dimensional gauge couplings are independent of the string dilaton in the string frame, and upon compactification to 4 dimensions the 4-dimensional gauge couplings depend on $X$ (rather than the dilaton $Y$) which is fixed at the minimum of the potential. This avoids direct couplings of the dilaton to matter suppressing extra forces competing with gravity. We show that this set up has the salient features of the AOV models, and ergo can potentially ameliorate the tension between local distance ladder and cosmic microwave background estimates of the Hubble constant $H_0$. Although the AOV proposal does not fully resolve the tension in $H_0$ measurements, it provides a dynamical dark energy model of cosmology that satisfies the de Sitter swampland conjecture. We comment on a viable solution to overcome the tension between low- and high-redshift observations within the AOV background and discuss the implications for the swampland program.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Infinite Black Hole Entropies at Infinite Distances and Tower of States

The aim of this paper is to elucidate a close connection between the black hole area law and the infinite distance conjecture in the context of the swampland. We consider families of black hole geometries, parametrized by their event horizon areas or by the values of their entropies, and show that the infinite entropy limit is always at infinite distance in the space of black hole geometries. It then follows from the infinite distance conjecture that there must be a tower of states in the infinite entropy limit, and that ignoring these towers on the horizon of the black hole would invalidate the effective theory when the entropy becomes large. We call this the black hole entropy distance conjecture. We then study two candidates for the tower of states. The first are the Kaluza-Klein modes of the internal geometry of extremal ${\cal N}=2$ black holes in string theory, whose masses on the horizon are fixed by the ${\cal N}=2$ attractor formalism, and given in terms of the black hole charges similarly to the entropy. However, we observe that it is possible to decouple their masses from the entropy, so that they cannot generically play the role of the tower. We thus consider a second kind of states: inspired by N-portrait quantum models of non-extremal black holes, we argue that the Goldstone-like modes that interpolate among the black hole microstates behave like the expected light tower of states.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Aspects of Conformal Supergravity

In these lectures we discuss N-extended conformal supergravity and its spectrum in four dimensions. These theories can be considered as the massless limit of Einstein-Weyl supergravity and by taking into account their enhanced gauge symmetries, we derive their massless spectrum, which in general contains a dipole-ghost graviton multiplet and an N-fold tripole-ghost gravitino multiplet.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

AdS and the Swampland

We study aspects of anti-de Sitter space in the context of the Swampland. In particular, we conjecture that the near-flat limit of pure AdS belongs to the Swampland, as it is necessarily accompanied by an infinite tower of light states. The mass of the tower is power-law in the cosmological constant, with a power of $\frac{1}{2}$ for the supersymmetric case. We discuss relations between this behaviour and other Swampland conjectures such as the censorship of an unbounded number of massless fields, and the refined de Sitter conjecture. Moreover, we propose that changes to the AdS radius have an interpretation in terms of a generalised distance conjecture which associates a distance to variations of all fields. In this framework, we argue that the distance to the $Λ\rightarrow 0$ limit of AdS is infinite, leading to the light tower of states. We also discuss implications of the conjecture for de Sitter space.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

A Note on String Excitations and the Higuchi Bound

In this brief note we consider the interaction between high spin excitations in string theory along the Regge trajectory and the Higuchi bound in de Sitter space. There is always a point along the Regge trajectory where the Higuchi bound is violated. However, this point precisely coincides with a string whose length is of order the de Sitter Hubble scale. String theory therefore manifests no immediate inconsistency as long as the string scale $M_s$ is above the Hubble scale $H$. However, an implication is that the Regge trajectory must be significantly modified at some ultraviolet scale. Insisting that this modification should occur no earlier than the Planck scale would lead to a bound on the string scale of $M_s > \sqrt{H M_p}$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

Para-Hermitian Geometries for Poisson-Lie Symmetric $σ$-models

The doubled target space of the fundamental closed string is identified with its phase space and described by an almost para-Hermitian geometry. We explore this setup in the context of group manifolds which admit a maximally isotropic subgroup. This leads to a formulation of the Poisson-Lie $σ$-model and Poisson-Lie T-duality in terms of para-Hermitian geometry. The emphasis is put on so called half-integrable setups where only one of the Lagrangian subspaces of the doubled space has to be integrable. Using the dressing coset construction in Poisson-Lie T-duality, we extend our construction to more general coset spaces. This allows to explicitly obtain a huge class of para-Hermitian geometries. Each of them is automatically equipped which a generalized frame field, required for consistent generalized Scherk-Schwarz reductions. As examples we present integrable $λ$- and $η$-deformations on the three- and two-sphere.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

Fluxes in Exceptional Field Theory and Threebrane Sigma-Models

Starting from a higher Courant bracket associated to exceptional generalized geometry, we provide a systematic derivation of all types of fluxes and their Bianchi identities for four-dimensional compactifications of M-theory. We show that these fluxes may be understood as generalized Wess-Zumino terms in certain topological threebrane sigma-models of AKSZ-type, which relates them to the higher structure of a Lie algebroid up to homotopy. This includes geometric compactifications of M-theory with G-flux and on twisted tori, and also its compactifications with non-geometric Q- and R-fluxes in specific representations of the U-duality group SL(5) in exceptional field theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

4D spin-2 fields from 5D Chern-Simons theory

We consider a 5-dimensional Chern-Simons gauge theory for the isometry group of Anti-de-Sitter spacetime, $\operatorname{AdS}_{4+1}\simeq\operatorname{SO}(4,2)$, and invoke different dimensional reduction schemes in order to relate it to 4-dimensional spin-2 theories. The AdS gauge algebra is isomorphic to a parametrized 4-dimensional conformal algebra, and the gauge fields corresponding to the generators of non-Abelian translations and special conformal transformations reduce to two vierbein fields in $D=4$. Besides these two vierbeine, our reduction schemes leave only the Lorentz spin connection as an additional dynamical field in the 4-dimensional theories. We identify the corresponding actions as particular generalizations of Einstein-Cartan theory, conformal gravity and ghost-free bimetric gravity in first-order form.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

A Spin-2 Conjecture on the Swampland

We consider effective theories with massive fields that have spins larger than or equal to two. We conjecture a universal cutoff scale on any such theory that depends on the lightest mass of such fields. This cutoff corresponds to the mass scale of an infinite tower of states, signalling the breakdown of the effective theory. The cutoff can be understood as the Weak Gravity Conjecture applied to the Stückelberg gauge field in the mass term of the high spin fields. A strong version of our conjecture applies even if the graviton itself is massive, so to massive gravity. We provide further evidence for the conjecture from string theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Black Hole Information and Thermodynamics

This SpringerBrief is based on a masters course on black hole thermodynamics and the black hole information problem taught by Dieter Lüst during the summer term 2017 at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich; it was written by Ward Vleeshouwers. It provides a short introduction to general relativity, which describes gravity in terms of the curvature of space-time, and examines the properties of black holes. These are central objects in general relativity which arise when sufficient energy is compressed into a finite volume, so that even light cannot escape its gravitational pull. We will see that black holes exhibit a profound connection with thermodynamic systems. Indeed, by quantizing a field theory on curved backgrounds, one can show that black holes emit thermal (Hawking) radiation, so that the connection with thermodynamics is more than a formal similarity. Hawking radiation gives rise to an apparent conflict between general relativity and quantum mechanics known as the black hole information problem. If a black hole formed from a pure quantum state evaporates to form thermal radiation, which is in a mixed state, then the unitarity postulate of quantum mechanics is violated. We will examine the black hole information problem, which has plagued the physics community for over four decades, and consider prominent examples of proposed solutions, in particular, the string theoretical construction of the Tangherlini black hole, and the infinite number of asymptotic symmetries given by BMS-transformations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Bimetric, Conformal Supergravity and its Superstring Embedding

We discuss the connection between Weyl$^2$ supergravity and superstrings and further discuss holography between 4-dimensional, ${\cal N}=4$ superconformal Weyl$^2$ supergravity and ${\cal N}=8$, higher spin-four theory on $AdS_5$. The Weyl$^2$ plus Einstein supergravity theory is a special kind of a bimetric gravity theory and consists of a massless graviton multiplet plus an additional massive spin-two supermultiplet. Here, we argue that the additional spin-two field and its superpartners originate from massive excitations in the open string sector; just like the ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills gauge fields, they are localized on the world volume of D3-branes. The ghost structure of the Weyl action should be considered as an artifact of the truncation of the infinitely many higher derivative terms underlying the massive spin 2 action. In field theory, ${\cal N}=4$ Weyl$^2$ supergravity exhibits superconformal invariance in the limit of vanishing Planck mass. In string theory the additional spin-two fields become massless in the tensionless limit. Therefore low string scale scenarios with large extra dimensions provide (almost) superconformal field theories with almost massless open string spin-two fields. The full ${\cal N}=4$ scalar potential including the Yang-Mills matter multiplets is presented and the supersymmetric vacua of Einstein Supergravity are shown, as expected, to be vacua of massive Weyl supergravity. Other vacua are expected to exist which are not vacua of Einstein supergravity. Finally, we identify certain spin-four operators on the 4-dimensional boundary theory that could be the holographic duals of spin-four fields in the bulk.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Constructions of L$_{\infty}$ algebras and their field theory realizations

We construct L$_{\infty}$ algebras for general `initial data' given by a vector space equipped with an antisymmetric bracket not necessarily satisfying the Jacobi identity. We prove that any such bracket can be extended to a 2-term L$_{\infty}$ algebra on a graded vector space of twice the dimension, with the 3-bracket being related to the Jacobiator. While these L$_{\infty}$ algebras always exist, they generally do not realize a non-trivial symmetry in a field theory. In order to define L$_{\infty}$ algebras with genuine field theory realizations, we prove the significantly more general theorem that if the Jacobiator takes values in the image of any linear map that defines an ideal there is a 3-term L$_{\infty}$ algebra with a generally non-trivial 4-bracket. We discuss special cases such as the commutator algebra of octonions, its contraction to the `R-flux algebra', and the Courant algebroid.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Aspects of Weyl Supergravity

In this paper we study the spectrum of all conformal, ${\cal N}$-extended supergravities (${\cal N}=1,2,3,4$) in four space-time dimensions. When these theories are obtained as massless limit of Einstein plus Weyl$^2$supergravity, the appropriate counting of the enhanced gauge symmetries allow us to derive the massless spectrum which consist of a dipole ghost graviton multiplet, a ${\cal N}$-fold tripole ghost gravitino, the third state belonging to a spin 3/2 multiplet and a residual vector multiplet present for non-maximal ${\cal N}<4$ theories. These theories are not expected to have a standard gravity holographic dual in five dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Spin-four N=7 W-Supergravity: S-fold and Double Copy Construction

In the present investigation we consider the possibility of having new massive, higher spin W-supergravity theories, which do not exist as four-dimensional perturbative models. These theories are based on a double copy construction of two supersymmetric field theories, where at least one factor is given by a N=3 field theory, which is a non-perturbative S-fold of N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. In this way, we can obtain as S-folds a new N=7 (corresponding to 28 supercharges) W-supergravity and its N=7 W-superstring counterpart, which both do not exist as four-dimensional perturbative models with an (effective) Langrangian description. The resulting field resp. string theory does not contain any massless states, but instead a massive higher spin-four supermultiplet of the N=7 supersymmetry algebra. Furthermore we also construct a four-dimensional heterotic S-fold with N=3 supersymmetry. It again does not exist as perturbative heterotic string model and can be considered as the heterotic counterpart of the N=3 superconformal field theories, which were previously constructed in the context of type I orientfold models.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Open-string T-duality and applications to non-geometric backgrounds

We revisit T-duality transformations for the open string via Buscher's procedure and work-out technical details which have been missing so far in the literature. We take into account non-trivial topologies of the world-sheet, we consider T-duality along directions with Neumann as well as Dirichlet boundary conditions, and we include collective T-duality along multiple directions. We illustrate this formalism with the example of the three-torus with H-flux and its T-dual backgrounds, and we discuss global properties of open-string boundary conditions on such spaces.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Generalised fluxes, Yang-Baxter deformations and the O(d,d) structure of non-abelian T-duality

Based on the construction of Poisson-Lie T-dual $σ$-models from a common parent action we study a candidate for the non-abelian respectively Poisson-Lie T-duality group. This group generalises the well-known abelian T-duality group O(d,d) and we explore some of its subgroups, namely factorised dualities, B- and $β$-shifts. The corresponding duality transformed $σ$-models are constructed and interpreted as generalised (non-geometric) flux backgrounds. We also comment on generalisations of results and techniques known from abelian T-duality. This includes the Lie algebra cohomology interpretation of the corresponding non-geometric flux backgrounds, remarks on a double field theory based on non-abelian T-duality and an application to the investigation of Yang-Baxter deformations. This will show that homogeneously Yang-Baxter deformed $σ$-models are exactly the non-abelian T-duality $β$-shifts when applied to principal chiral models.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Bootstrapping Non-commutative Gauge Theories from L$_\infty$ algebras

Non-commutative gauge theories with a non-constant NC-parameter are investigated. As a novel approach, we propose that such theories should admit an underlying L$_\infty$ algebra, that governs not only the action of the symmetries but also the dynamics of the theory. Our approach is well motivated from string theory. We recall that such field theories arise in the context of branes in WZW models and briefly comment on its appearance for integrable deformations of AdS$_5$ sigma models. For the SU(2) WZW model, we show that the earlier proposed matrix valued gauge theory on the fuzzy 2-sphere can be bootstrapped via an L$_\infty$ algebra. We then apply this approach to the construction of non-commutative Chern-Simons and Yang-Mills theories on flat and curved backgrounds with non-constant NC-structure. More concretely, up to the second order, we demonstrate how derivative and curvature corrections to the equations of motion can be bootstrapped in an algebraic way from the L$_\infty$ algebra. The appearance of a non-trivial A$_\infty$ algebra is discussed, as well.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

A note on T-folds and T3 fibrations

We study stringy modifications of $T^3$-fibered manifolds, where the fiber undergoes a monodromy in the T-duality group. We determine the fibration data defining such T-folds from a geometric model, by using a map between the duality group and the group of large diffeomorphisms of a four-torus. We describe the monodromies induced around duality defects where such fibrations degenerate and we argue that local solutions receive corrections from the winding sector, dual to the symmetry-breaking modes that correct semi-flat metrics.

hep-th↗