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Elias Kiritsis

Publications and source records attributed to Elias Kiritsis.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
arXiv2009

Dissecting the string theory dual of QCD

Input from QCD and string theory is used in order to elucidate basic features of the string theory dual of QCD, It is argued that the relevant string theory is a five-dimensional version of the type-0 superstring. The vacuum solution is asymptotically AdS$_5$, and the geometry near the boundary is stringy. The structure of YM perturbation theory however emerges near the boundary. In the IR, the theory is argued to be well-approximated by a two-derivative truncation that takes into account strong coupling effects. This explains the success of previously proposed five-dimensional Eistein-dilaton gravity with an appropriate potential to describe salient features of the strong YM dynamics.

hep-th↗
arXiv2008

Free Fermion Orientifolds

We investigate a class of orientifold models based on tensor products of 18 Ising models. Using the same search criteria as for the comparable case of Gepner model orientifolds we find that there are no three-family standard model configurations with tadpole cancellation. Even if we do not impose the latter requirement, we only find one such configuration in the special case of complex free fermions. In order to allow a comparison with other approaches we enumerate the Hodge numbers of the type-IIB theories we obtain. We provide indications that there are fermionic IIB vacua that are not $Z_2\times Z_2$ orbifolds.

hep-th↗
arXiv2008

Discriminating MSSM families in (free-field) Gepner Orientifolds

A complete analysis of orientifold compactifications involving Gepner models that are free fields (k=1,2) is performed. A set of tadpole solutions is found that are variants of a single chiral spectrum. The vacua found have the property that different families have different U(1) charges so that one family cannot obtain masses in perturbation theory. Its masses must come from instantons, allowing for a hierarchy of masses. The phenomenological aspects of such vacua are analyzed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2008

(Multi)Matrix Models and Interacting Clones of Liouville Gravity

Large-N matrix models coupled via multitrace operators are used to define, via appropriate double-scaling limits, solvable models of interacting multi-string theories. It is shown that although such theories are non-local at the world-sheet level they have a simple description of the spacetime physics. Such theories share the main characteristics of similarly coupled higher-dimensional CFTs. An interpretation has been given in the past of similar continuum limits in terms of Liouville interactions that violate the Seiberg bound. We provide a novel interpretation of this relation which agrees with the current understanding of Liouville theory and analogous observations in the AdS/CFT correspondence.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

On massless 4D Gravitons from 5D Asymptotically AdS Space-times

We investigate the conditions for obtaining four-dimensional massless spin-2 states in the spectrum of fluctuations around an asymptotically $AdS_5$ solution of Einstein-Dilaton gravity. We find it is only possible to have normalizable massless spin-2 modes if the space-time terminates at some IR point in the extra dimension, far from the UV AdS boundary, and if suitable boundary conditions are imposed at the ``end of space.'' In some of these cases the 4D spectrum consists only of a massless spin-2 graviton, with no additional massless or light scalar or vector modes. These spin-2 modes have a profile wave-function peaked in the interior of the 5D bulk space-time. Under the holographic duality, they may be sometimes interpreted as arising purely from the IR dynamics of a strongly coupled QFT living on the AdS boundary.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

Non-perturbative and Flux superpotentials for Type I strings on the Z_3 orbifold

Non-perturbative effects are studied for Type I strings on the Z_3 orbifold with Chan-Paton symmetry broken by Wilson lines. Generalizing previous analyses that have focussed on (bi)fundamentals, it is argued that (anti)symmetric representations of the resulting gauge group play a decisive role in generating an ADS-like superpotential in this and related cases. Non perturbative corrections in the closed string moduli are only allowed if properly dressed with open string fields charged under the anomalous U(1) of the orbifold. A general discussion of instanton effects in SYM and string theories is given. Non-perturbative superpotentials induced by both $ED5$'s and ED1's are analyzed. The superpotential generated by closed string fluxes, viz. Scherk-Schwarz shifts (torsion), R-R 3-form flux as well as non-geometric fluxes is derived. Some preliminary comments on the compatibility of the two kinds of superpotentials and the issue of moduli stabilization are presented.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

Chiral symmetry breaking as open string tachyon condensation

We consider a general framework to study holographically the dynamics of fundamental quarks in a confining gauge theory. Flavors are introduced by placing a set of (coincident) branes and antibranes on a background dual to a confining color theory. The spectrum contains an open string tachyon and its condensation describes the U(N_f)_L x U(N_f)_R -> U(N_f)_V symmetry breaking. By studying worldvolume gauge transformations of the flavor brane action, we obtain the QCD global anomalies and an IR condition that allows to fix the quark condensate in terms of the quark mass. We find the expected N_f^2 Goldstone bosons (for m_q=0), the Gell-Mann-Oakes-Renner relation (for m_q small) and the η' mass. Remarkably, the linear confinement behavior for the masses of highly excited spin-1 mesons, m_n^2 ~ n is naturally reproduced.

hep-th↗
arXiv2006

Product CFTs, gravitational cloning, massive gravitons and the space of gravitational duals

The question of graviton cloning in the context of the bulk/boundary correspondence is considered. It is shown that multi-graviton theories can be obtained from products of large-N CFTs. No more than one interacting massless graviton is possible. There can be however, many interacting massive gravitons. This is achieved by coupling CFTs via multi-trace marginal or relevant perturbations. The geometrical structure of the gravitational duals of such theories is that of product manifolds with their boundaries identified. The calculational formalism is described and the interpretation of such theories is discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2005

On the Effective Theory of Low Scale Orientifold String Vacua

The effective field theory of the minimal Low Scale Orientifold Models is developed. It describes universal features of related orientifold vacua in string theory. It contains, beyond the Standard Model fields, an MSSM-like Higgs sector and three anomalous (massive) U(1) gauge bosons. All renormalizable couplings are included as well as some dimension-five couplings that are important for anomaly cancellation. The Higgs symmetry breaking induces mixing between the anomalous U(1) gauge bosons and the photon and $Z^0$. This mixing as well as the anomaly generated cubic vector boson couplings is potentially important for discriminating such models from other theories containing Z's. Some interesting tree-level processes are also evaluated.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Holography and Brane-bulk Energy Exchange

The five-dimensional description of generalized Randall-Sundrum cosmology is mapped via holography to a generalization of the Starobinsky model. This provides a holographic dual description of the cosmological brane-bulk energy exchange processes studied previously. Some simple solutions are presented in four dimensions.

hep-th↗
arXiv2004

D-branes in Standard Model building, Gravity and Cosmology

D-branes are by now an integral part of our toolbox towards understanding nature. In this review we will describe recent progress in their use to realize fundamental interactions. The realization of the Standard Model and relevant physics and problems will be detailed. New ideas on realizing 4-dimensional gravity use the brane idea in an important way. Such approaches will be reviewed and compared to the standard paradigm of compactification. Branes can play a pivotal role both in early- and late-universe cosmology mainly via the brane-universe paradigm. Brane realizations of various cosmological ideas (early inflation, sources for dark matter and dark energy, massive gravity etc) will be also reviewed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2003

String interactions in gravitational wave backgrounds

The non-compact CFT of a class of NS-supported pp-wave backgrounds is solved exactly. The associated tree-level covariant string scattering amplitudes are calculated. The S-matrix elements are well-defined, dual but not analytic as a function of $p^+$. They have poles corresponding to physical intermediate states with $p^+\not =0$ and logarithmic branch cuts due to on-shell exchange of spectral-flow images of $p^+=0$ states. When $μ\to 0$ a smooth flat space limit is obtained. The $μ\to\infty$ limit, unlike the case of RR-supported pp-waves, gives again a flat space theory.

hep-th↗
arXiv1997

Introduction to Non-perturbative String Theory

These are a set of lectures presented at the CERN-La Plata-Santiago de Compostella School of Physics, La Plata, May 1997. A brief introduction to the non-perturbative structure of string theory is presented. Various non-perturbative dualities in ten and six dimensions as well as D-branes are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Infrared behavior of Closed Superstrings in Strong Magnetic and Gravitational Fields

A large class of four-dimensional supersymmetric ground states of closed superstrings with a non-zero mass gap are constructed. For such ground states we turn on chromo-magnetic fields as well as curvature. The exact spectrum as function of the chromo-magnetic fields and curvature is derived. We examine the behavior of the spectrum, and find that there is a maximal value for the magnetic field $H_{\rm max}\sim M_{\rm planck}^2$. At this value all states that couple to the magnetic field become infinitely massive and decouple. We also find tachyonic instabilities for strong background fields of the order ${\cal O}(μM_{\rm planck})$ where $μ$ is the mass gap of the theory. Unlike the field theory case, we find that such ground states become stable again for magnetic fields of the order ${\cal O}(M^2_{\rm planck})$. The implications of these results are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

String Gravity and Cosmology: Some new ideas

String theory provides the only consistent framework so far that unifies all interactions including gravity. We discuss gravity and cosmology in string theory. Conventional notions from general relativity like geometry, topology etc. are well defined only as low energy approximations in string theory. At small distances physics deviates from the field theoretic intuition. We present several examples of purely stringy phenomena which imply that the physics at strong curvatures can be quite different from what one might expect from field theory. They indicate new possibilities in the context of quantum cosmology.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1995

Instabilities in Strong Magnetic Fields in String Theory

We construct groundstates of the string with non-zero mass gap and non-trivial chromo-magnetic fields as well as curvature. The exact spectrum as function of the chromo-magnetic fields and curvature is derived. We examine the behavior of the spectrum, and find that there is a maximal value for the magnetic field $H_{\rm max}\sim M_{\rm Plank}^2$. At this value all states that couple to the magnetic field become infinitely massive and decouple. We also find tachyonic instabilities for strong background fields of the order ${\cal O}(μM_{\rm Plank})$ where $μ$ is the mass gap of the theory. Unlike the field theory case, we find that such ground states become stable again for magnetic fields of the order ${\cal O}(M^2_{\rm Plank})$. The implications of these results are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

One Loop Corrections to Coupling Constants in IR-regulated String Theory

Exact Superstring solutions are constructed moving in 4-D space-time with positive curvature and non-trivial dilaton and antisymmetric tensor fields. The full spectrum of string excitations is derived as a function of moduli fields $T^{i}$ and the scale $μ^2=1/(k+2)$ which induced by the non-zero background fields. The spectrum of string excitations has a non-zero mass gap $μ^2$ and in the weak curvature limit ($μ$ small) $μ^2$ plays the role of a well defined infrared regulator, consistent with modular invariance, gauge invariance, supersymmetry and chirality. The effects of a covariantly constant chomo-magnetic field $B$ as well as additional curvature can be derived exactly up to one string-loop level. Thus, the one-loop corrections to all couplings (gravitational, gauge and Yukawas) are unambiguously computed and are finite both in the Ultra-Violet and the Infra-Red regime. These corrections are necessary for quantitative string superunification predictions at low energies. Similar calculations are done in the effective field theory. The one-loop corrections to the couplings are also found to satisfy Infrared Flow Equations.

hep-th↗