arXiv subjects

Luca Martucci

Publications and source records attributed to Luca Martucci.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Non-perturbative selection rules in F-theory

We discuss the structure of charged matter couplings in 4-dimensional F-theory compactifications. Charged matter is known to arise from M2-branes wrapping fibral curves on an elliptic or genus-one fibration Y. If a set of fibral curves satisfies a homological relation in the fibre homology, a coupling involving the states can arise without exponential volume suppression due to a splitting and joining of the M2-branes. If the fibral curves only sum to zero in the integral homology of the full fibration, no such coupling is possible. In this case an M2-instanton wrapping a 3-chain bounded by the fibral matter curves can induce a D-term which is volume suppressed. We elucidate the consequences of this pattern for the appearance of massive U(1) symmetries in F-theory and analyse the structure of discrete selection rules in the coupling sector. The weakly coupled analogue of said M2-instantons is worked out to be given by D1-F1 instantons. The generation of an exponentially suppressed F-term requires the formation of half-BPS bound states of M2 and M5-instantons. This effect and its description in terms of fluxed M5-instantons is discussed in a companion paper.

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arXiv2015

Hidden Selection Rules, M5-instantons and Fluxes in F-theory

We introduce a new approach to investigate the selection rules governing the contributions of fluxed M5-instantons to the F-theory four-dimensional effective action, with emphasis on the generation of charged matter F-terms. The structure of such couplings is unraveled by exploiting the perturbative and non-perturbative homological relations, introduced in our companion paper arXiv:1506.06764, which encode the interplay between the self-dual 3-form flux on the M5-brane, the background 4-form flux and certain fibral curves. The latter are wrapped by time-like M2-branes representing matter insertions in the instanton path integral. In particular, we clarify how fluxed M5-instantons detect the presence of geometrically massive $U(1)$s which are responsible for `hidden' selection rules. We discuss how for non-generic embeddings the M5-instanton can probe `locally massless' $U(1)$ symmetries if the rank of its Mordell-Weil group is enhanced compared to that of the bulk. As a phenomenological off-spring we propose a new type of non-perturbative corrections to Yukawa couplings which may change the rank of the Yukawa matrix. Along the way, we also gain new insights into the structure of massive $U(1)$ gauge fluxes in the stable degeneration limit.

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arXiv2015

6D microstate geometries from 10D structures

We use the formalism of Generalised Geometry to characterise in general the supersymmetric backgrounds in type II supergravity that have a null Killing vector. We then specify this analysis to configurations that preserve the same supersymmetries as the D1-D5-P system compactified on a four-manifold. We give a set of equations on the forms defining the supergravity background that are equivalent to the supersymmetry constraints and the equations of motion. This study is motivated by the search of new microstate geometries for the D1-D5-P black hole. As an example, we rewrite the linearised three-charge solution of arXiv:hep-th/0311092 in our formalism and show how to extend it to a non-linear, regular and asymptotically flat configuration.

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arXiv2015

Warping the Kähler potential of F-theory/IIB flux compactifications

We identify the low-energy Kähler potential of warped F-theory/IIB flux compactifications whose light spectrum includes universal, Kähler, axionic and mobile D3-brane moduli. The derivation is based on four-dimensional local superconformal symmetry and holomorphy of brane instanton contributions and it reproduces and generalises previous partial results. We compute the resulting kinetic terms, which show their explicit dependence on the warping. The Kähler potential satisfies the no-scale condition and produces, at leading order in the large volume expansion, a specific correction to the unwarped Kähler potential.

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arXiv2014

Symmetries, Sum Rules and Constraints on Effective Field Theories

Using unitarity, analyticity and crossing symmetry, we derive universal sum rules for scattering amplitudes in theories invariant under an arbitrary symmetry group. The sum rules relate the coefficients of the energy expansion of the scattering amplitudes in the IR to total cross sections integrated all the way up to the UV. Exploiting the group structure of the symmetry, we systematically determine all the independent sum rules and positivity conditions on the expansion coefficients. For effective field theories the amplitudes in the IR are calculable and hence the sum rules set constraints on the parameters of the effective Lagrangian. We clarify the impact of gauging on the sum rules for Goldstone bosons in spontaneously broken gauge theories. We discuss explicit examples that are relevant for WW-scattering, composite Higgs models, and chiral perturbation theory. Certain sum rules based on custodial symmetry and its extensions provide constraints on the Higgs boson coupling to the electroweak gauge bosons.

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arXiv2014

Topological duality twist and brane instantons in F-theory

A variant of the topological twist, involving SL(2,Z) dualities and hence named topological duality twist, is introduced and explicitly applied to describe a U(1) N=4 super Yang-Mills theory on a Kaehler space with holomorphically space-dependent coupling. Three-dimensional duality walls and two-dimensional chiral theories naturally enter the formulation of the duality twisted theory. Appropriately generalized, this theory is relevant for the study of Euclidean D3-brane instantons in F-theory compactifications. Some of its properties and implications are discussed.

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arXiv2013

Brane instantons and fluxes in F-theory

We study the combined effect of world-volume and background fluxes on Euclidean D3-brane instantons in F-theory compactifications. We derive an appropriate form of the fermionic effective action, in which the fermions are topologically twisted and the dynamical effect of fluxes, non-trivial axio-dilaton and warping is taken into account. We study the structure of fermionic zero modes, which determines the form of possible non-perturbative superpotential and F-terms in the four-dimensional effective action. Invariance under SL(2,Z) is discussed in detail, which allows for an interpretation of the results in terms of the dual M5-brane instanton in the M-theory picture. We also provide the perturbative IIB description in the orientifold limit, when available. Furthermore, we consider the possible inclusion of supersymmetry breaking bulk fluxes and discuss its implications.

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arXiv2012

Branes, U-folds and hyperelliptic fibrations

We construct a class of supersymmetric vacua of type IIB string theory describing systems of three- and seven-branes non-perturbatively completed by brane instantons. The vacua are specified by a set of holomorphic functions defined over a complex plane up to non-trivial U-duality monodromies around the brane locations. In the simplest setting, the solutions can be seen as a generalization of F-theory elliptic fibrations, where the torus fiber is replaced by a genus two Riemann surface with periods encoding the information on the axio-dilaton, the warp factor and the NS-NS and R-R fluxes.

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arXiv2012

Introducing the Slotheon: a slow Galileon scalar field in curved space-time

In this paper we define covariant Galilean transformations in curved spacetime and find all scalar field theories invariant under this symmetry. The Slotheon is a Galilean invariant scalar field with a modified propagator such that, whenever gravity is turned on and energy conditions are not violated, it moves "slower" than in the canonical set-up. This property is achieved by a non-minimal derivative coupling of the Slotheon to the Einstein tensor. We prove that spherically symmetric black holes cannot have Slotheonic hairs. We then notice that in small derivative regimes the theory has an asymptotic local shift symmetry whenever the non-canonical coupling dominates over the canonical one.

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arXiv2012

Freezing E3-brane instantons with fluxes

E3-instantons that generate non-perturbative superpotentials in IIB N=1 compactifications are more frequent than currently believed. Worldvolume fluxes will typically lift the E3-brane geometric moduli and their fermionic superpartners, leaving only the two required universal fermionic zero-modes. We consistently incorporate SL(2, Z) monodromies and world-volume fluxes in the effective theory of the E3-brane fermions and study the resulting zero-mode spectrum, highlighting the relation between F-theory and perturbative IIB results. This leads us to a IIB derivation of the index for generation of superpotential terms, which reproduces and generalizes available results. Furthermore, we show how worldvolume fluxes can be explicitly constructed in a one-modulus compactification, such that an E3-instanton has exactly two fermonic zero-modes. This construction is readily applicable to numerous scenarios.

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arXiv2012

Magnetized E3-brane instantons in F-theory

We discuss E3-brane instantons in N=1 F-theory compactifications to four dimensions and clarify the structure of E3-E3 zero modes for general world-volume fluxes. We consistently incorporate SL(2,Z) monodromies and highlight the relation between F-theory and perturbative IIB results. We explicitly show that world-volume fluxes can lift certain fermionic zero-modes, whose presence would prevent the generation of non-perturbative superpotential terms, and we discuss in detail the geometric interpretation of the zero-mode lifting mechanism. We provide a IIB derivation of the index for generation of superpotential terms and of its modification to include world-volume fluxes, which reproduces and generalizes available results. We apply our general analysis to the explicit, though very simple, example of compactification on P^3 and its orientifold weak-coupling limit. In particular, we provide an example in which a non-rigid divisor with fluxes contributes to the superpotential.

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arXiv2011

Electrified branes

A geometrical form of the supersymmetry conditions for D-branes on arbitrary type II supersymmetric backgrounds is derived, as well as the associated BPS bounds. The treatment is general and allows to consider, for instance, non-static configurations or D-branes supporting a non-vanishing electric flux, hence completing previous partial results. In particular, our discussion clarifies how the notion of calibration can be extended in order to be applicable to the most general supersymmetric configurations. As an exemplifying preliminary step, the procedure followed is first applied to fundamental strings.

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arXiv2011

D-brane non-perturbative effects and geometric deformations

We study how non-perturbative dynamics on D-branes affects the ten-dimensional geometry. We show that a gaugino condensate changes the complex and the symplectic structures of the original manifold by deforming the supersymmetry conditions. The cases of D5, D6 and D7-branes are discussed in detail. In the latter case we find the explicit form of the resulting back-reacted background at linear order in the gaugino condensate.

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arXiv2010

Non-perturbative effects on seven-brane Yukawa couplings

We analyze non-perturbative corrections to the superpotential of seven-brane gauge theories on type IIB and F-theory warped Calabi-Yau compactifications. We show in particular that such corrections modify the holomorphic Yukawa couplings by an exponentially suppressed contribution, generically solving the Yukawa rank-one problem present in F-theory local models. We provide explicit expressions for the non-perturbative correction to the seven-brane superpotential, and check that it is related to a non-commutative deformation to the tree-level superpotential via the Seiberg-Witten map.

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arXiv2010

DWSB in heterotic flux compactifications

We address the construction of non-supersymmetric vacua in heterotic compactifications with intrinsic torsion and background fluxes. In particular, we implement the approach of domain-wall supersymmetry breaking (DWSB) previously developed in the context of type II flux compactifications. This approach is based on considering backgrounds where probe NS5-branes wrapping internal three-cycles and showing up as four-dimensional domain-walls do not develop a BPS bound, while all the other BPS bounds characterizing the N=1 supersymmetric compactifications are preserved at tree-level. Via a scalar potential analysis we provide the conditions for these backgrounds to solve the ten-dimensional equations of motion including order α' corrections. We also consider backgrounds where some of the NS5-domain-walls develop a BPS bound, show their relation to no-scale SUSY-breaking vacua and construct explicit examples via elliptic fibrations. Finally, we consider backgrounds with a non-trivial gaugino condensate and discuss their relation to supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric vacua in the present context.

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arXiv2009

On moduli and effective theory of N=1 warped flux compactifications

The moduli space of N=1 type II warped compactions to flat space with generic internal fluxes is studied. Using the underlying integrable generalized complex structure that characterizes these vacua, the different deformations are classified by H-twisted generalized cohomologies and identified with chiral and linear multiplets of the effective four-dimensional theory. The Kaehler potential for chiral fields corresponding to classically flat moduli is discussed. As an application of the general results, type IIB warped Calabi-Yau compactifications and other SU(3)-structure subcases are considered in more detail.

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arXiv2009

Domain walls from ten dimensions

We write down the general conditions for N=1 supersymmetric four-dimensional domain walls, deriving them from a ten-dimensional point of view using generalized complex geometry. In cases where the compactification allows for a truncation to a finite number of fields, we make contact with a four-dimensional effective description. In the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, the equations can be applied to renormalization-group flows of three-dimensional field theories. We allow for the presence of explicit brane sources and show how supersymmetry restricts their location in a natural way.

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arXiv2008

Generalized non-supersymmetric flux vacua

We discuss a novel strategy to construct 4D N=0 stable flux vacua of type II string theory, based on the existence of BPS bounds for probe D-branes in some of these backgrounds. In particular, we consider compactifications where D-branes filling the 4D space-time obey the same BPS bound as they would in an N=1 compactification, while other D-branes, like those appearing as domain walls from the 4D perspective, can no longer be BPS. We construct a subfamily of such backgrounds giving rise to 4D N=0 Minkowski no-scale vacua, generalizing the well-known case of type IIB on a warped Calabi-Yau. We provide several explicit examples of these constructions, and compute quantities of phenomenological interest like flux-induced soft terms on D-branes. Our results have a natural, simple description in the language of Generalized Complex Geometry, and in particular in terms of D-brane generalized calibrations. Finally, we extend the integrability theorems for 10D supersymmetric type II backgrounds to the N=0 case and use the results to construct a new class of N=0 AdS4 compactifications.

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