arXiv subjects

Eric D'Hoker

Publications and source records attributed to Eric D'Hoker.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Half-BPS supergravity solutions and superalgebras

We establish a correspondence between certain Lie superalgebras with 16 fermionic generators, and half-BPS solutions to supergravities with 32 supersymmetries. Three cases are discussed. For Type IIB supergravity, we relate semi-simple Lie superalgebras H with 16 fermionic generators which are subalgebras of PSU(2,2|4), to families of half-BPS solutions which are invariant under H, and locally asymptotic to AdS_5 x S^5. Similarly, for M-theory, we relate semi-simple Lie superalgebras H with 16 fermionic generators which are subalgebras of OSp(8^*|4) or OSp(8|4,R) to families of half-BPS solutions which are invariant under H, and locally asymptotic to AdS_7 x S^4 or AdS_4 x S^7 respectively. Possible enhancements to more than 16 supersymmetries, such as 24, are also analyzed. The classification of semi-simple subalgebras of PSU(2,2|4), OSp(8^*|4), and OSp(8|4,R) derived in this paper, leads us to conjecture the existence of various new families of half-BPS solutions to Type IIB supergravity and M-theory.

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arXiv2008

Exact Half-BPS Flux Solutions in M-theory I, Local Solutions

The complete eleven-dimensional supergravity solutions with 16 supersymmetries on manifolds of the form $AdS_3 \times S^3 \times S^3 \times Σ$, with isometry $SO(2,2) \times SO(4) \times SO(4)$, and with either $AdS_4 \times S^7$ or $AdS_7 \times S^4$ boundary behavior, are obtained in exact form. The two-dimensional parameter space $Σ$ is a Riemann surface with boundary, over which the product space $AdS_3 \times S^3 \times S^3$ is warped. By mapping the reduced BPS equations to an integrable system of the sine-Gordon/Liouville type, and then mapping this integrable system onto a linear equation, the general local solutions are constructed explicitly in terms of one harmonic function on $Σ$, and an integral transform of two further harmonic functions on $Σ$. The solutions to the BPS equations are shown to automatically solve the Bianchi identities and field equations for the 4-form field, as well as Einstein's equations. The solutions we obtain have non-vanishing 4-form field strength on each of the three factors of $AdS_3 \times S^3 \times S^3$, and include fully back-reacted M2-branes in $AdS_7 \times S^4$ and M5-branes in $AdS_4 \times S^7$. No interpolating solutions exist with mixed $AdS_4 \times S^7$ and $AdS_7 \times S^4$ boundary behavior. Global regularity of these local solutions, as well as the existence of further solutions with neither $AdS_4 \times S^7$ nor $AdS_7 \times S^4$ boundary behavior will be studied elsewhere.

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arXiv2008

Integrable systems from supergravity BPS equations

Integrable systems of the sine-Gordon/Liouville type, which arise from reducing the BPS equations for solutions invariant under 16 supersymmetries in Type IIB supergravity and M-theory, are shown to be special cases of an infinite family of integrable systems, parametrized by an arbitrary real function $f$ of a real variable. It is shown that, for each function $f$, this generalized integrable system may be mapped onto a system of linear equations, which in turn may be integrated in terms of the two linearly independent solutions of an ordinary linear second order differential equation which depends only on the function $f$.

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arXiv2007

Two-Loop Superstrings VII, Cohomology of Chiral Amplitudes

The relation between superholomorphicity and holomorphicity of chiral superstring N-point amplitudes for NS bosons on a genus 2 Riemann surface is shown to be encoded in a hybrid cohomology theory, incorporating elements of both de Rham and Dolbeault cohomologies. A constructive algorithm is provided which shows that, for arbitrary N and for each fixed even spin structure, the hybrid cohomology classes of the chiral amplitudes of the N-point function on a surface of genus 2 always admit a holomorphic representative. Three key ingredients in the derivation are a classification of all kinematic invariants for the N-point function, a new type of 3-point Green's function, and a recursive construction by monodromies of certain sections of vector bundles over the moduli space of Riemann surfaces, holomorphic in all but exactly one or two insertion points.

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arXiv2007

Ten-dimensional supersymmetric Janus solutions

The reduced field equations and BPS conditions are derived in Type IIB supergravity for configurations of the Janus type, characterized by an $AdS_4$-slicing of $AdS_5$, and various degrees of internal symmetry and supersymmetry. A generalization of the Janus solution, which includes a varying axion along with a varying dilaton, and has SO(6) internal symmetry, but completely broken supersymmetry, is obtained analytically in terms of elliptic functions. A supersymmetric solution with 4 conformal supersymmetries, SU(3) internal symmetry, a varying axion along with a varying dilaton, and non-trivial $B_{(2)}$ field, is derived analytically in terms of genus 3 hyper-elliptic integrals. This supersymmetric solution is the 10-dimensional Type IIB dual to the $\N=1$ interface super-Yang-Mills theory with SU(3) internal symmetry previously found in the literature.

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arXiv2007

Gravity duals of half-BPS Wilson loops

We explicitly construct the fully back-reacted half-BPS solutions in Type IIB supergravity which are dual to Wilson loops with 16 supersymmetries in $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills. In a first part, we use the methods of a companion paper to derive the exact general solution of the half-BPS equations on the space $AdS_2 \times S^2 \times S^4 \times Σ$, with isometry group $SO(2,1)\times SO(3) \times SO(5)$ in terms of two locally harmonic functions on a Riemann surface $Σ$ with boundary. These solutions, generally, have varying dilaton and axion, and non-vanishing 3-form fluxes. In a second part, we impose regularity and topology conditions. These non-singular solutions may be parametrized by a genus $g \geq 0$ hyperelliptic surface $Σ$, all of whose branch points lie on the real line. Each genus $g$ solution has only a single asymptotic $AdS_5 \times S^5$ region, but exhibits $g$ homology 3-spheres, and an extra $g$ homology 5-spheres, carrying respectively RR 3-form and RR 5-form charges. For genus 0, we recover $AdS_5 \times S^5$ with 3 free parameters, while for genus $g \geq 1$, the solution has $2g+5$ free parameters. The genus 1 case is studied in detail. Numerical analysis is used to show that the solutions are regular throughout the $g=1$ parameter space. Collapse of a branch cut on $Σ$ subtending either a homology 3-sphere or a homology 5-sphere is non-singular and yields the genus $g-1$ solution. This behavior is precisely expected of a proper dual to a Wilson loop in gauge theory.

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arXiv2007

Exact half-BPS Type IIB interface solutions I: Local solution and supersymmetric Janus

The complete Type IIB supergravity solutions with 16 supersymmetries are obtained on the manifold $AdS_4 \times S^2 \times S^2 \times Σ$ with $SO(2,3) \times SO(3) \times SO(3)$ symmetry in terms of two holomorphic functions on a Riemann surface $Σ$, which generally has a boundary. This is achieved by reducing the BPS equations using the above symmetry requirements, proving that all solutions of the BPS equations solve the full Type IIB supergravity field equations, mapping the BPS equations onto a new integrable system akin to the Liouville and Sine-Gordon theories, and mapping this integrable system to a linear equation which can be solved exactly. Amongst the infinite class of solutions, a non-singular Janus solution is identified which provides the AdS/CFT dual of the maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills interface theory discovered recently. The construction of general classes of globally non-singular solutions, including fully back-reacted $AdS_5 \times S^5$ and supersymmetric Janus doped with D5 and/or NS5 branes, is deferred to a companion paper.

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arXiv2007

Exact half-BPS Type IIB interface solutions II: Flux solutions and multi-Janus

Regularity and topology conditions are imposed on the exact Type IIB solutions on $AdS_4 \times S^2 \times S^2 \times Σ$ with 16 supersymmetries, which were derived in a companion paper. We construct an infinite class of regular solutions with varying dilaton, and non-zero 3-form fluxes. Our solutions may be viewed as the fully back-reacted geometries of $AdS_5 \times S^5$ (or more generally, Janus) doped with D5 and/or NS5 branes. The solutions are parametrized by the choice of an arbitrary genus $g$ hyper-elliptic Riemann surface $Σ$ with boundary, all of whose branch points are restricted to lie on a line. For genus 0, the Janus solution with 16 supersymmetries and 6 real parameters is recovered; its topology coincides with that of $AdS_5 \times S^5$. The genus $g\geq 1$ solutions are parametrized by a total of $4g+6$ real numbers, $2g-1$ of which are the real moduli of $Σ$. The solutions have $2g+2$ asymptotic $AdS_5 \times S^5$ regions, $g$ three-spheres with RR 3-form charge, and another $g$ with NSNS 3-form charge. Collapse of consecutive branch points of $Σ$ yields singularities which correspond to D5 and NS5 branes in the probe limit. It is argued that the AdS/CFT dual gauge theory to each of our solutions consists of a 2+1-dimensional planar interface on which terminate $2g+2$ half-Minkowski 3+1-dimensional space-time $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills theories. Generally, the $\\mathcal{N}=4$ theory in each Minkowski half-space-time may have an independent value of the gauge coupling, and the interface may support various operators, whose interface couplings are further free parameters of the dual gauge theory.

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arXiv2006

Interface Yang-Mills, Supersymmetry, and Janus

We consider theories consisting of a planar interface with $\N=4$ super-Yang-Mills on either side and varying gauge coupling across the interface. The interface does not carry any independent degrees of freedom, but is allowed to support local gauge invariant operators, included with independent interface couplings. In general, both conformal symmetry and supersymmetry will be broken, but for special arrangements of the interface couplings, these symmetries may be restored. We provide a systematic classification of all allowed interface supersymmetries. We find new theories preserving eight and four Poincaré supersymmetries, which get extended to sixteen and eight supersymmetries in the conformal limit, respectively with $SU(2) \times SU(2)$, $SO(2) \times SU(2)$ internal symmetry. The Lagrangians for these theories are explicitly constructe d. We also recover the theory with two Poincaré supersymmetries and SU(3) internal symmetry proposed earlier as a candidate CFT dual to super Janus. Since our new interface theories have only operators from the supergravity multiplet turned on, dual supergravity solutions are expected to exist. We speculate on the possible relation between the interface theory with maximal supersymmetry and the near-horizon limit of the D3-D5 system.

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arXiv2005

Complex Geometry and Supergeometry

Complex geometry and supergeometry are closely entertwined in superstring perturbation theory, since perturbative superstring amplitudes are formulated in terms of supergeometry, and yet should reduce to integrals of holomorphic forms on the moduli space of punctured Riemann surfaces. The presence of supermoduli has been a major obstacle for a long time in carrying out this program. Recently, this obstacle has been overcome at genus 2, which is the first loop order where it appears in all amplitudes. An important ingredient is a better understanding of the relation between geometry and supergeometry, and between holomorphicity and superholomorphicity. This talk provides a survey of these developments and a brief discussion of the directions for further investigation.

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arXiv2005

Two-loop superstrings and S-duality

The two-loop contribution to the Type IIB low energy effective action term $D^4 R^4$, predicted by SL(2,Z) duality, is compared with that of the two-loop 4-point function derived recently in superstring perturbation theory through the method of projection onto super period matrices. For this, the precise overall normalization of the 4-point function is determined through factorization. The resulting contributions to $D^4 R^4$ match exactly, thus providing an indirect check of SL(2,Z) duality. The two-loop Heterotic low energy term $D^2F^4$ is evaluated in string perturbation theory; its form is closely related to the $D^4 R^4$ term in Type II, although its significance to duality is an open issue.

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arXiv2005

Two-Loop Superstrings V: Gauge Slice Independence of the N-Point Function

A systematic construction of superstring scattering amplitudes for $N$ massless NS bosons to two loop order is given, based on the projection of supermoduli space onto super period matrices used earlier for the superstring measure in the first four papers of this series. The one important new difficulty arising for the $N$-point amplitudes is the fact that the projection onto super period matrices introduces corrections to the chiral vertex operators for massless NS bosons which are not pure (1,0) differential forms. However, it is proved that the chiral amplitudes are closed differential forms, and transform by exact differentials on the worldsheet under changes of gauge slices. Holomorphic amplitudes and independence of left from right movers are recaptured after the extraction of terms which are Dolbeault exact in one insertion point, and de Rham closed in the remaining points. This allows a construction of GSO projected, integrated superstring scattering amplitudes which are independent of the choice of gauge slices and have only physical kinematical singularities.

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arXiv2005

Two-Loop Superstrings VI: Non-Renormalization Theorems and the 4-Point Function

The N-point amplitudes for the Type II and Heterotic superstrings at two-loop order and for $N \leq 4$ massless NS bosons are evaluated explicitly from first principles, using the method of projection onto super period matrices introduced and developed in the first five papers of this series. The gauge-dependent corrections to the vertex operators, identified in paper V, are carefully taken into account, and the crucial counterterms which are Dolbeault exact in one insertion point and de Rham closed in the remaining points are constructed explicitly. This procedure maintains gauge slice independence at every stage of the evaluation. Analysis of the resulting amplitudes demonstrates, from first principles, that for $N\leq 3$, no two-loop corrections occur, while for N=4, no two-loop corrections to the low energy effective action occur for $R^4$ terms in the Type II superstrings, and for $F^4$, $F^2F^2$, $F^2R^2$, and $R^4$ terms in the Heterotic strings.

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arXiv2004

Asyzygies, modular forms, and the superstring measure II

Precise factorization constraints are formulated for the three-loop superstring chiral measure, in the separating degeneration limit. Several natural Ansätze in terms of polynomials in theta constants for the density of the measure are examined. None of these Ansätze turns out to satisfy the dual criteria of modular covariance of weight 6, and of tending to the desired degeneration limit. However, an Ansatz is found which does satisfy these criteria for the square of the density of the measure, raising the possibility that it is not the density of the measure, but its square which is a polynomial in theta constants. A key notion is that of totally asyzygous sextets of spin structures. It is argued that the Ansatz produces a vanishing cosmological constant.

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arXiv2004

Asyzygies, modular forms, and the superstring measure I

The goal of this paper and of a subsequent continuation is to find some viable ansatze for the three-loop superstring chiral measure. For this, two alternative formulas are derived for the two-loop superstring chiral measure. Unlike the original formula, both alternates admit modular covariant generalizations to higher genus. One of these two generalizations is analyzed in detail in the present paper, with the analysis of the other left to the next paper of the series.

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arXiv2004

On the Construction of Asymmetric Orbifold Models

Various asymmetric orbifold models based on chiral shifts and chiral reflections are investigated. Special attention is devoted to the consistency of the models with two fundamental principles for asymmetric orbifolds : modular invariance and the existence of a proper Hilbert space formulation for states and operators. The interplay between these two principles is non-trivial. It is shown, for example, that their simultaneous requirement forces the order of a chiral reflection to be 4, instead of the naive 2. A careful explicit construction is given of the associated one-loop partition functions. At higher loops, the partition functions of asymmetric orbifolds are built from the chiral blocks of associated symmetric orbifolds, whose pairings are determined by degenerations to one-loop.

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arXiv2004

Two-Loop Superstrings on Orbifold Compactifications

The two-loop chiral measure for superstring theories compactified on $\bZ_2$ reflection orbifolds is constructed from first principles for even spin structures. This is achieved by a careful implementation of the chiral splitting procedure in the twisted sectors and the identification of a subtle worldsheet supersymmetric and supermoduli dependent shift in the Prym period. The construction is generalized to compactifications which involve more general NS backgrounds preserving worldsheet supersymmetry. The measures are unambiguous and independent of the gauge slice. Two applications are presented, both to superstring compactifications where 4 dimensions are $\bZ_2$-twisted and where the GSO projection involves a chiral summation over spin structures. The first is an orbifold by a single $\bZ_2$-twist; here, orbifolding reproduces a supersymmetric theory and it is shown that its cosmological constant indeed vanishes. The second model is of the type proposed by Kachru-Kumar-Silverstein and additionally imposes a $\bZ_2$-twist by the parity of worldsheet fermion number; it is shown here that the corresponding cosmological constant does not vanish pointwise on moduli space.

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arXiv2002

Seiberg-Witten Theory, Symplectic Forms, and Hamiltonian Theory of Solitons

This is an expanded version of lectures given in Hangzhou and Beijing, on the symplectic forms common to Seiberg-Witten theory and the theory of solitons. Methods for evaluating the prepotential are discussed. The construction of new integrable models arising from supersymmetric gauge theories are reviewed, including twisted Calogero-Moser systems and spin chain models with twisted monodromy conditions. A practical framework is presented for evaluating the universal symplectic form in terms of Lax pairs. A subtle distinction between a Lie algebra and a Lie group version of this symplectic form is clarified, which is necessary in chain models.

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