arXiv subjects

Falk Hassler

Publications and source records attributed to Falk Hassler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Tensor hierarchy from deformation quantisation

We show that a formal deformation quantisation of degree-2 differential graded symplectic (QP) manifolds gives rise to the complete classical kinematics and dynamics of NS-NS supergravity, or, equivalently, its duality-covariant formulation as double field theory (DFT). Our construction extends the standard tensor hierarchy, encoding gauge parameters and their redundancies, to a complex encoding the physical fields, field strengths, and Bianchi identities. We present two realisations of such a complex: 1) a differential graded Lie algebra built from the algebra of functions on the QP-manifold; 2) a cochain complex that reproduces the tensor hierarchy representations conjectured in the literature and can be interpreted as a classical BV complex of the linearised theory. The deformation that gives rise to the dilaton comes from a normal-ordered graded Moyal--Weyl star product. This naturally extends the duality structure group from $\mathrm{O}(D,D)$ to $\mathrm{O}(D,D)\times\mathbb{R}^+$. Finally, our framework provides a direct route to constructing the DFT action via local double Lorentz invariance, and offers a transparent algebraic foundation for curvature tensors in generalised Cartan geometry.

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arXiv2026

$\alpha'$-Bootstrap

Due to the exponential growth in the number of terms, computing $\alpha'$-corrections to string theory's low-energy effective actions is a challenging matter. In order to fix all the couplings, one has usually to deal with a large number of string scattering amplitudes. This difficulty can be overcome by exploiting T-duality, which severely constrains the allowed structure of the effective action. It is then convenient to work in a formulation where T-duality is a manifest symmetry. Building on a series of previous works by some of the authors, we present a refined version of an elegant and effective procedure that allows to obtain all the higher-derivative corrections of the NS-NS sector of sting theories at order $\alpha'$ and $\alpha'^2$, up to an overall coefficient. We dub this approach $\alpha'$-bootstrap, since it is based only on consistency conditions and avoids the direct computation of scattering amplitudes. The procedure relies on an infinite dimensional algebraic structure that we present in full detail, and it is conjectured to work at all orders. Although, at the moment, it still misses the $\zeta$-like corrections starting at order $\alpha'^3$, the ease with which it can be generalized is promising for future developments in this direction.

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arXiv2025

All-order generalized Green-Schwarz transformations

Compatibility with T-duality severely constrains higher-derivative corrections to the low-energy supergravity limits of string theory. For example, it suggests that Lorentz transformations for heterotic strings are modified in precisely the way required for the Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation mechanism. A systematic procedure to construct the resulting generalized Green-Schwarz transformations is the generalized Bergshoeff-de Roo identification (gBdRi). Although it in principle allows computing $\alpha'$-corrections to higher and higher orders, technically it becomes unfeasible beyond $\alpha'^2$. We revisit this problem with an alternative approach to the gBdRi, which we have recently developed. It gives rise to a very simple all-order transformation law whose closure we verify by explicitly computing the resulting gauge algebra.

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arXiv2025

Consistent truncation and generalized duality based on exceptional generalized cosets

We present a systematic framework for constructing consistent truncations of supergravity based on exceptional generalized cosets of the form $\GS \backslash G/H$. This approach generalizes the well-established generalized Scherk-Schwarz reductions on generalized parallelizable spaces $G/H$, which preserve maximal supersymmetry, to scenarios with reduced supersymmetry by introducing a non-trivial generalized structure group $\GS$. The double coset structure plays two distinct roles: for a given $G$, the choice of subgroup $\GS$ determines the (constant) generalized torsion/curvature and the pattern of supersymmetry breaking, while $H$ parameterizes inequivalent supergravity backgrounds that share the same truncated theory. The entire construction proceeds algebraically, systematically building $\GS$-invariant tensors from generalized frame fields, with the intrinsic torsion automatically constant and a $\GS$-singlet. Different choices of $H$ lead to distinct higher-dimensional backgrounds that truncate to the same lower-dimensional theory, thereby realizing U-duality. We illustrate the framework through explicit examples in double field theory and exceptional field theory.

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arXiv2025

Gauged Extended Field Theory and Generalised Cartan Geometry

Cartan geometry provides a unifying algebraic construction of curvature and torsion, based on an underlying model Lie algebra -- a viewpoint that can be extended naturally to the higher algebraic structures underlying supergravity. We present a Cartan-geometric framework for generalised geometries governed by a differential graded Lie algebra, extending previous results. The extended tangent bundle admits the action of both a global duality group $\mathcal{G}$ and a local gauge group $H$. This algebraic structure is implemented via a brane current algebra -- the phase space Poisson structure of $p$-branes. Within this Cartan-inspired framework, we define a hierarchy of generalised connections and compute their linearised torsion and curvature tensors, including the higher curvatures required by the tensor hierarchy. This provides a systematic construction of curvature and torsion tensors in generic generalised geometries.

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arXiv2024

Duality covariant curvatures for the heterotic string

Duality covariant curvature and torsion tensors in double field theory/generalized geometry are central in analyzing consistent truncations, generalized dualities, and related integrable $\sigma$-models. They are constructed systematically with the help of a larger, auxiliary space in a procedure inspired by Cartan geometry originally proposed by Pol\'a\v{c}ek and Siegel for bosonic strings. It pivots around a maximally isotropic group that captures the generalized structure group of the physical space. We show how dropping the isotropy condition on this group allows us to describe heterotic/type I strings. As an immediate application, we construct a new family of heterotic backgrounds that interpolates between the two-dimensional cigar and trumpet backgrounds.

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arXiv2024

Unraveling the generalized Bergshoeff-de Roo identification

We revisit duality-covariant higher-derivative corrections which arise from the generalized Bergshoeff-de Roo (gBdR) identification, a prescription that gives rise to a two parameter family of $\alpha'$-corrections to the low-energy effective action of the bosonic and the heterotic string. Although it is able to reproduce all corrections at the leading and sub-leading ($\alpha'^2$) order purely from symmetry considerations, a geometric interpretation, like for the two-derivative action and its gauge transformation is lacking. To address this issue and to pave the way for the future exploration of higher-derivative (=higher-loop for the $\beta$-functions of the underlying $\sigma$-model) corrections to generalized dualities, consistent truncations and integrable $\sigma$-models, we recover the gBdR identification's results from the \PS{} construction that provides a natural notion of torsion and curvature in generalized geometry.

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arXiv2024

Current Algebra and Generalised Cartan Geometry

This article shows that the approach to generalised curvature and torsion pioneered by Polacek and Siegel [1] is a generalisation of Cartan Geometry -- rendering latter natural from the point of view of O(d,d)-generalised geometry. We present this approach in the generalised metric formalism and show that almost all parts of the additional higher generalised tensors appearing in this approach correspond to covariant derivatives of the generalised Riemann tensor. As an application, we use this framework to phrase sigma model dynamics in an explicitly covariant way -- both under generalised diffeomorphisms and local gauge transformations.

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arXiv2023

Generalized Dualities for Heterotic and Type I Strings

We define generalized dualities for heterotic and type I strings based on consistent truncations to half-maximal gauged supergravities in more than three dimensions. The latter are constructed from a generalized Scherk-Schwarz ansatz in heterotic double field theory that satisfies the strong constraint. Necessary and sufficient conditions on the resulting embedding tensor are discussed, showing that only certain gaugings, called geometric, can arise from this procedure. For all of them, we explicitly construct the internal geometry and gauge potentials. In general, this construction is not unique and permits different uplifts which are used to define generalized T-duality. Two examples are worked out underlying the utility of our approach to explore new dualities and uplifts of half-maximal gauged supergravities.

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arXiv2023

The Hierarchy of Curvatures in Exceptional Geometry

Despite remarkable success in describing supergravity reductions and backgrounds, generalized geometry and the closely related exceptional field theory are still lacking a fundamental object of differential geometry, the Riemann tensor. We explain that to construct such a tensor, an as of yet overlooked hierarchy of connections is required. They complement the spin connection with higher representations known from the tensor hierarchy of gauged supergravities. In addition to solving an important conceptual problem, this idea allows to define and explicitly construct generalized homogeneous spaces. They are the underlying structures of generalized U-duality, admit consistent truncations and provide a huge class of new backgrounds for flux compactifications with non-trivial generalized structure groups.

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arXiv2023

The Magic Renormalisability of Affine Gaudin Models

We study the renormalisation of a large class of integrable $\sigma$-models obtained in the framework of affine Gaudin models. They are characterised by a simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and a rational twist function $\varphi(z)$ with simple zeros, a double pole at infinity but otherwise no further restrictions on the pole structure. The crucial tool used in our analysis is the interpretation of these integrable theories as $\mathcal{E}$-models, which are $\sigma$-models studied in the context of Poisson-Lie T-duality and which are known to be at least one- and two-loop renormalisable. The moduli space of $\mathcal{E}$-models still contains many non-integrable theories. We identify the submanifold formed by affine Gaudin models and relate its tangent space to curious matrices and semi-magic squares. In particular, these results provide a criteria for the stability of these integrable models under the RG-flow. At one loop, we show that this criteria is satisfied and derive a very simple expression for the RG-flow of the twist function, proving a conjecture made earlier in the literature.

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arXiv2023

Generalized Dualities and Supergroups

Using a recently developed formulation of double field theory in superspace, the graviton, $B$-field, gravitini, dilatini, and Ramond-Ramond bispinor are encoded in a single generalized supervielbein. Duality transformations are encoded as orthosymplectic transformations, extending the bosonic $O(D,D)$ duality group, and these act on all constituents of the supervielbein in an easily computable way. We first review conventional non-abelian T-duality in the Green-Schwarz superstring and describe the dual geometries in the language of double superspace. Since dualities are related to super-Killing vectors, this includes as special cases both abelian and non-abelian fermionic T-duality. We then extend this approach to include Poisson-Lie T-duality and its generalizations, including the generalized coset construction recently discussed in arXiv:1912.11036. As an application, we construct the supergeometries associated with the integrable $\lambda$ and $\eta$ deformations of the $AdS_5 \times S^5$ superstring. The deformation parameters $\lambda$ and $\eta$ are identified with the possible one-parameter embeddings of the supergravity frame within the doubled supergeometry. In this framework, the Ramond-Ramond bispinors are directly computable purely from the algebraic data of the supergroup.

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arXiv2022

All maximal gauged supergravities with uplift

Generalised parallelisable spaces permit to uplift many maximal gauged supergravities to ten or eleven dimensions. While some of the former are explicitly known, the literature is still lacking a systematic construction and a complete classification. We resolve this issue and present an explicit construction, and with it a full classification, of generalised parallelisable spaces for maximal gauged supergravities in four or more dimensions. All embedding tensors that can be realised without breaking the section condition of exceptional field theory are identified and the corresponding generalised frame fields are constructed. This finally resolved the old question: "Which maximal gauged supergravities have uplifts to 10/11d?". Furthermore, it provides the basis to explore solution generating techniques based on generalised dualities.

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arXiv2022

Consistent Truncations and Dualities

Recent progress in generalised geometry and extended field theories suggests a deep connection between consistent truncations and dualities, which is not immediately obvious. A prime example is generalised Scherk-Schwarz reductions in double field theory, which have been shown to be in one-to-one correspondence with Poisson-Lie T-duality. Here we demonstrate that this relation is only the tip of the iceberg. Currently, the most general known classes of T-dualities (excluding mirror symmetry) are based on dressing cosets. But as we discuss, they can be further extended to the even larger class of generalised cosets. We prove that the latter give rise to consistent truncations for which the ansatz can be constructed systematically. Hence, we pave the way for many new examples of T-dualities and consistent truncations. The arising structures result in covariant tensors with more than two derivatives and we argue how they might be key to understand generalised T-dualities and consistent truncations beyond the leading two derivative level.

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arXiv2021

An Algebraic Classification of Solution Generating Techniques

We consider a two-fold problem: on the one hand, the classification of a family of solution-generating techniques in (modified) supergravity and, on the other hand, the classification of a family of canonical transformations of 2-dimensional $σ$-models giving rise to integrable-preserving transformations. Assuming a generalised Scherk-Schwarz ansatz, in fact, the two problems admit essentially the same algebraic formulation, emerging from an underlying double Lie algebra $\mathfrak d$. After presenting our derivation of the classification, we discuss in detail the relation to modified supergravity and the additional conditions to recover the standard (unmodified) supergravity. Starting from our master equation - that encodes all the possible continuous deformations allowed in the family of solution-generating techniques - we show that these are classified by the Lie algebra cohomologies $H^2(\mathfrak h,\mathbb R)$ and $H^3(\mathfrak h,\mathbb R)$ of the maximally isotropic subalgebra $\mathfrak h$ of the double Lie algebra $\mathfrak d$. {We illustrate our results with a non-trivial example, the bi-Yang-Baxter-Wess-Zumino model.

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arXiv2020

Double Field Theory and Pseudo-Supersymmetry

Supersymmetric bosonic backgrounds governed by first-order BPS equations, can be realised in a much broader setting by relaxing the requirement of closure of the superalgebra beyond the level of quadratic fermion terms. The resulting pseudo-supersymmetric theories can be defined in arbitrary spacetime dimensions. We focus here on the ${\cal N}=1$ pseudo-supersymmetric extensions of the arbitrary-dimensional bosonic string action, which were constructed a few years ago. In this paper, we recast these in the language of generalised geometry. More precisely, we construct the action and the corresponding supersymmetry transformation rules in terms of O($D$)$\times$O($D$) covariant derivatives, and we discuss consistent truncations on manifolds with generalised $G$-structure. As explicit examples, we discuss Minkowski$\times G$ vacuum solutions and their corresponding pseudo-supersymmetry. We also briefly discuss squashed group manifold solutions, including an example with a Lorentzian signature metric on the group manifold $G$.

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arXiv2020

RG flow of integrable $\mathcal{E}$-models

We compute the one- and two-loop RG flow of integrable $σ$-models with Poisson-Lie symmetry. They are characterised by a twist function with $2N$ simple poles/zeros and a double pole at infinity. Hence, they capture many of the known integrable deformations in a unified framework, which has a geometric interpretation in terms of surface defects in a 4D Chern-Simons theory. We find that these models are one-loop renormalisable and present a very simple expression for the flow of the twist function. At two loops only models with $N$=1 are renormalisable. Applied to the $λ$-deformation on a semisimple group manifold, our results reproduce the $β$-functions in the literature.

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arXiv2020

O($D$,$D$)-covariant two-loop $β$-functions and Poisson-Lie T-duality

We show that the one- and two-loop $β$-functions of the closed, bosonic string can be written in a manifestly O($D$,$D$)-covariant form. Based on this result, we prove that 1) Poisson-Lie symmetric $σ$-models are two-loop renormalisable and 2) their $β$-functions are invariant under Poisson-Lie T-duality. Moreover, we identify a distinguished scheme in which Poisson-Lie symmetry is manifest. It simplifies the calculation of two-loop $β$-functions significantly and thereby provides a powerful new tool to advance into the quantum regime of integrable $σ$-models and generalised T-dualities. As an illustrating example, we present the two-loop $β$-functions of the integrable $λ$- and $η$-deformation.

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