Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Fernando Quevedo

Publications and source records attributed to Fernando Quevedo.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv2006

Low-Energy Supersymmetry Breaking from String Flux Compactifications: Benchmark Scenarios

Soft supersymmetry breaking terms were recently derived for type IIB string flux compactifications with all moduli stabilised. Depending on the choice of the discrete input parameters of the compactification such as fluxes and ranks of hidden gauge groups, the string scale was found to have any value between the TeV and GUT scales. We study the phenomenological implications of these compactifications at low energy. Three realistic scenarios can be identified depending on whether the Standard Model lies on D3 or D7 branes and on the value of the string scale. For the MSSM on D7 branes and the string scale between 10^12 GeV and 10^17 GeV we find that the LSP is a neutralino, while for lower scales it is the stop. At the GUT scale the results of the fluxed MSSM are reproduced, but now with all moduli stabilised. For the MSSM on D3 branes we identify two realistic scenarios. The first one corresponds to an intermediate string scale version of split supersymmetry. The second is a stringy mSUGRA scenario. This requires tuning of the flux parameters to obtain the GUT scale. Phenomenological constraints from dark matter, (g-2)_mu and BR(b->s gamma) are considered for the three scenarios. We provide benchmark points with the MSSM spectrum, making the models suitable for a detailed phenomenological analysis.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2005

Warped Tachyonic Inflation in Type IIB Flux Compactifications and the Open-String Completeness Conjecture

We consider a cosmological scenario within the KKLT framework for moduli stabilization in string theory. The universal open string tachyon of decaying non-BPS D-brane configurations is proposed to drive eternal topological inflation. Flux-induced `warping' can provide the small slow-roll parameters needed for successful inflation. Constraints on the parameter space leading to sufficient number of e-folds, exit from inflation, density perturbations and stabilization of the Kahler modulus are investigated. The conditions are difficult to satisfy in Klebanov-Strassler throats but can be satisfied in T^3 fibrations and other generic Calabi-Yau manifolds. This requires large volume and magnetic fluxes on the D-brane. The end of inflation may or may not lead to cosmic strings depending on the original non-BPS configuration. A careful investigation of initial conditions leading to a phenomenologically viable model for inflation is carried out. The initial conditions are chosen on the basis of Sen's open string completeness conjecture. We find time symmetrical bounce solutions without initial singularities for k=1 FRW models which are correlated with an inflationary period. Singular big-bang/big-crunch solutions also exist but do not lead to inflation. There is an intriguing correlation between having an inflationary universe in 4 dimensions and 6 compact dimensions or a big-crunch singularity and decompactification.

hep-th↗
arXiv2005

Kahler Moduli Inflation

We show that under general conditions there is at least one natural inflationary direction for the Kahler moduli of type IIB flux compactifications. This requires a Calabi-Yau which has h^{2,1}>h^{1,1}>2 and for which the structure of the scalar potential is as in the recently found exponentially large volume compactifications. We also need - although these conditions may be relaxed - at least one Kahler modulus whose only non-vanishing triple-intersection is with itself and which appears by itself in the non-perturbative superpotential. Slow-roll inflation then occurs without a fine tuning of parameters, evading the eta problem of F-term inflation. In order to obtain COBE-normalised density perturbations, the stabilised volume of the Calabi-Yau must be O(10^5-10^7) in string units, and the inflationary scale M_{infl} ~ 10^{13} GeV. We find a robust model independent prediction for the spectral index of 1 - 2/N_e = 0.960 - 0.967, depending on the number of efoldings.

hep-th↗
arXiv2005

Large-Volume Flux Compactifications: Moduli Spectrum and D3/D7 Soft Supersymmetry Breaking

We present an explicit calculation of the spectrum of a general class of string models, corresponding to Calabi-Yau flux compactifications with h_{1,2}>h_{1,1}>1 with leading perturbative and non-perturbative corrections, in which all geometric moduli are stabilised as in hep-th/0502058. The volume is exponentially large, leading to a range of string scales from the Planck mass to the TeV scale, realising for the first time the large extra dimensions scenario in string theory. We provide a general analysis of the relevance of perturbative and non-perturbative effects and the regime of validity of the effective field theory. We compute the spectrum in the moduli sector finding a hierarchy of masses depending on inverse powers of the volume. We also compute soft supersymmetry breaking terms for particles living on D3 and D7 branes. We find a hierarchy of soft terms corresponding to `volume dominated' F-term supersymmetry breaking. F-terms for Kahler moduli dominate both those for dilaton and complex structure moduli and D-terms or other de Sitter lifting terms. This is the first class of string models in which soft supersymmetry breaking terms are computed after fixing all geometric moduli. We outline several possible applications of our results, both for cosmology and phenomenology and point out the differences with the less generic KKLT vacua.

hep-th↗
arXiv2005

Systematics of Moduli Stabilisation in Calabi-Yau Flux Compactifications

We study the large volume limit of the scalar potential in Calabi-Yau flux compactifications of type IIB string theory. Under general circumstances there exists a limit in which the potential approaches zero from below, with an associated non-supersymmetric AdS minimum at exponentially large volume. Both this and its de Sitter uplift are tachyon-free, thereby fixing all Kahler and complex structure moduli, which has been difficult to achieve in the KKLT scenario. Also, for the class of vacua described in this paper, the gravitino mass is independent of the flux discretuum, whereas the ratio of the string scale to the 4d Planck scale is hierarchically small but flux dependent. The inclusion of alpha' corrections plays a crucial role in the structure of the potential. We illustrate these ideas through explicit computations for a particular Calabi-Yau manifold.

hep-th↗
arXiv2004

On the Explicit Construction and Statistics of Calabi-Yau Flux Vacua

We explicitly construct and study the statistics of flux vacua for type IIB string theory on an orientifold of the Calabi-Yau hypersurface $P^4_{[1,1,2,2,6]}$, parametrised by two relevant complex structure moduli. We solve for these moduli and the dilaton field in terms of the set of integers defining the 3-form fluxes and examine the distribution of vacua. We compare our numerical results with the predictions of the Ashok-Douglas density $\det (-R - ω)$, finding good overall agreement in different regions of moduli space. The number of vacua are found to scale with the distance in flux space. Vacua cluster in the region close to the conifold singularity. Large supersymmetry breaking is more generic but supersymmetric and hierarchical supersymmetry breaking vacua can also be obtained. In particular, the small superpotentials and large dilaton VEVs needed to obtain de Sitter space in a controllable approximation are possible but not generic. We argue that in a general flux compactification, the rank of the gauge group coming from D3 branes could be statistically preferred to be very small.

hep-th↗
arXiv2001

The Dilaton Potential from N= 1*

Recent understanding of {\cal N}=1* supersymmetric theory (mass deformed {\cal N}=4) has made it possible to find an exact superpotential which encodes the properties of the different phases of the theory. We consider this superpotential as an illustrative example for the source of a nontrivial scalar potential for the string theory dilaton and study its properties. The superpotential is characterized by the rank of the corresponding gauge group (N) and integers p,q,k labelling the different massive phases of the theory. For generic values of these parameters, we find the expected runaway behaviour of the potential to vanishing string coupling. But there are also supersymmetric minima at weak coupling stabilizing the dilaton field. An interesting property of this potential is that there is a proliferation of supersymmetric vacua in the confining phases, with the number of vacua increasing with N and leading to a kind of staircase potential. For a range of parameters, it is possible to obtain realistic values for the gauge coupling.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Anomalous U(1)'s and Proton Stability in Brane Models

We consider the most general generation-independent U(1) gauge symmetry consistent with the presence of Yukawa couplings for all quarks and leptons in the SUSY version of the Standard Model. This U(1) has generically mixed anomalies with SM groups, which cannot be cancelled by the Green-Schwarz mechanism of heterotic D=4 strings. We argue that these anomalies can in principle be cancelled by the generalized Green-Schwarz mechanism present in field theories corresponding to D-branes at singularities. Moreover, unlike the heterotic case, once the U(1) symmetry is broken it may remain as an exact perturbative global symmetry in the low energy theory. Applying this scheme to the SUSY SM we find that gauging such a general U(1):1) B and L violating operators at least up to dim=3,4,5,6 are generically forbidden; 2)The $μ$-term is generically supressed. We also study the properties of a U(1) symmetry whose mixed anomalies with the different SM gauge groups are in the ratio of the beta function coefficients $β_a$. This relation has been shown to hold in certain orientifold models. In all cases the U(1) remains as a global symmetry at the orientifold singularity, the SM Higgs can break it at the electroweak scale, making possible to relate the blowing-up of the singularity with electroweak symmetry breaking.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1997

Duality and Global Symmetries

This is a general introduction to duality in field theories. The existence and breaking of global symmetries is used as a guideline to systematically prove duality between different field theories. Systems discussed include abelian and non-abelian T-duality in string theory, abelian and nonabelian bosonization, and duality for massless and massive antisymmetric tensor field theories in arbitrary number of dimensions. Open questions regarding these techniques are also discussed. (Lectures given at 33rd Karpacz Winter School `Duality: Strings and Fields' .)

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Condensation of p-branes and generalized Higgs/confinement duality

We review our recent work on the low-energy actions and the realizations of strong-weak coupling dualities in non-perturbative phases of compact antisymmetric tensor field theories due to p-brane condensation. As examples we derive and discuss the confining string and confining membrane actions obtained from compact vector and tensor theories in 4D. We also mention the relevance of our results for the description of the Hagedorn phase transition of finite temperature strings.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Phases of Antisymmetric Tensor Field Theories

We study the different phases of field theories of compact antisymmetric tensors of rank $h-1$ in arbitrary space-time dimensions $D=d+1$. Starting in a `Coulomb' phase, topological defects of dimension $d-h-1$ ($(d-h-1)$-branes) may condense leading to a generalized `confinement' phase. If the dual theory is also compact the model may also have a third, generalized `Higgs' phase, driven by the condensation of the dual $(h-2)$-branes. Developing on the work of Julia and Toulouse for ordered solid-state media, we obtain the low energy effective action for these phases. Each phase has two dual descriptions in terms of antisymmetric tensors of different ranks, which are massless for the Coulomb phase but massive for the Higgs and confinement phases. We illustrate our prescription in detail for compact QED in 4D. Compact QED and $O(2)$ models in 3D, as well as a periodic scalar field in 2D (strings on a circle), are also discussed. In this last case we show how $T$-duality is maintained if one considers both worldsheet instantons and their duals. We also unify various approaches to the problem of the axion mass in 4D string models. Finally we discuss possible implications of our results for non-perturbative issues in string theory.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Lectures on Superstring Phenomenology

The phenomenological aspects of string theory are briefly reviewed. Emphasis is given to the status of 4D string model building, effective Lagrangians, model independent results, supersymmetry breaking and duality symmetries.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Gaugino Condensation, Duality and Supersymmetry Breaking

The status of gaugino condensation in low-energy string theory is reviewed. Emphasis is given to the determination of the efective action below condensation scale in terms of the 2PI and Wilson actions. We illustrate how the different perturbative duality symmetries survive this simple nonperturbative phenomenon, providing evidence for the believe that these are exact nonperturbative symmetries of string theory. Consistency with T duality lifts the moduli degeneracy. The $B_{μν}-axion$ duality also survives in a nontrivial way in which the degree of freedom corresponding to $B_{μν}$ is replaced by a massive $H_{μνρ}$ field but duality is preserved. S duality may also be implemented in this process. Some general problems of this mechanism are mentioned and the possible nonperturbative scenarios for supersymmetry breaking in string theory are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Duality Beyond Global Symmetries: the Fate of the B_{μν} Field

Duality between the `axion' field $a$ and the antisymmetric tensor field $B_{μν}$ is traced after a nonperturbative effect, gaugino condensation, breaks the Peccei-Quinn symmetry $a \rightarrow a +c$. Even though the PQ symmetry was at its origin, duality is nevertheless {\it not} broken by this effect. Below condensation scale, the axion simply gets a mass, but in the `stringy' version, the $ B_{μν}$ field disappears from the propagating spectrum. Its place is taken by a massive 3-index antisymmetric field $H_{μνρ}$ which is the one dual to the massive axion. This is a particular case of a general duality in $D$-dimensions among {\it massive} $p$ and $D-p-1$-index antisymmetric tensor fields.

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Periods for Calabi--Yau and Landau--Ginzburg Vacua

The complete structure of the moduli space of \cys\ and the associated Landau-Ginzburg theories, and hence also of the corresponding low-energy effective theory that results from (2,2) superstring compactification, may be determined in terms of certain holomorphic functions called periods. These periods are shown to be readily calculable for a great many such models. We illustrate this by computing the periods explicitly for a number of classes of \cys. We also point out that it is possible to read off from the periods certain important information relating to the mirror manifolds.

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Abelian and Non-Abelian Dualities in String Bacgrounds

We present a brief discussion of recent work on duality symmetries in non-trivial string backgrounds. Duality is obtained from a gauged non-linear sigma-model with vanishing gauge field strength. Standard results are reproduced for abelian gauge groups, whereas a new type of duality is identified for non--abelian gauge groups. Examples of duals of WZW models and 4-d black holes are given. (Presented at `From Superstrings to Supergravity', Erice 1992)

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Duality Symmetries from Non--Abelian Isometries in String Theories

In string theory it is known that abelian isometries in the sigma model lead to target space duality. We generalize this duality to backgrounds with non--abelian isometries. The procedure we follow consists of gauging the isometries of the original action and constraining the field strength $F$ to vanish. This new action generates dual theories by integrating over either the Lagrange multipliers that set F=0 or the gauge fields. We find that this new duality transformation maps spaces with non--abelian isometries to spaces that may have no isometries at all. This suggests that duality symmetries in string theories need to be understood in a more general context without regard to the existence of continuous isometries on the target space (this is also indicated by the existence of duality in string compactifications on Calabi--Yau manifolds which have no continuous isometries). Physically interesting examples to which our formalism apply are the Schwarzschild metric and the 4D charged dilatonic black hole. For these spherically symmetric black holes in four dimensions, the dual backgrounds are presented and explicitly shown to be new solutions of the leading order string equations. Some of these new backgrounds are found to have no continuous isometries (except for time translations) and also have naked singularities.

hep-th↗