Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Ralph Blumenhagen

Publications and source records attributed to Ralph Blumenhagen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2014

A Note on the CFT Origin of the Strong Constraint of DFT

In double field theory, motivated by its field theoretic consistency, the level matching condition is generalized to the so-called strong constraint. In this note, it is investigated what the two-dimensional conformal field theory origin of this constraint is. Initially treating the left- and right-movers as independent, we compute the torus partition function as well as a generalized Virasoro-Shapiro amplitude. In non-compact directions the strong constraint arises from the factorization of the Virasoro-Shapiro amplitude over physical states as determined by the modular invariant partition function. From the same argument, along internal toroidal directions, no analogous constraint arises.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

Non-associative Deformations of Geometry in Double Field Theory

Non-geometric string backgrounds were proposed to be related to a non-associative deformation of the space-time geometry. In the flux formulation of double field theory (DFT), the structure of mathematically possible non-associative deformations is analyzed in detail. It is argued that on-shell there should not be any violation of associativity in the effective DFT action. For imposing either the strong or the weaker closure constraint we discuss two possible non-associative deformations of DFT featuring two different ways how on-shell associativity can still be kept.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

Dimensional Oxidation of Non-geometric Fluxes in Type II Orientifolds

Some aspects of string compactifications with non-geometric fluxes are revisited in the light of recent progress in double field theory. After rederiving the general form of these fluxes, we consider the proposed flux induced four-dimensional effective superpotential and oxidize its induced scalar potential to terms in a ten-dimensional action. This analysis is performed independently for an explicit toroidal type IIA and its T-dual type IIB orientifold. We show in detail that the result of this bottom-up approach is compatible with the gauged supergravity motivated flux formulation of the double field theory action in both the NS-NS and the R-R sector.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

The Intriguing Structure of Non-geometric Frames in String Theory

Non-geometric frames in string theory are related to the geometric ones by certain local O(D,D) transformations, the so-called $β$-transforms. For each such transformation, we show that there exists both a natural field redefinition of the metric and the Kalb-Ramond two-form as well as an associated Lie algebroid. We furthermore prove that the all-order low-energy effective action of the superstring, written in terms of the redefined fields, can be expressed through differential-geometric objects of the corresponding Lie algebroid. Thus, the latter provides a natural framework for effective superstring actions in non-geometric frames. Relations of this new formalism to double field theory and to the description of non-geometric backgrounds such as T-folds are discussed as well.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

Non-geometric strings, symplectic gravity and differential geometry of Lie algebroids

Based on the structure of a Lie algebroid for non-geometric fluxes in string theory, a differential-geometry calculus is developed which combines usual diffeomorphisms with so-called β-diffeomorphisms emanating from gauge symmetries of the Kalb-Ramond field. This allows to construct a bi-invariant action of Einstein-Hilbert type comprising a metric, a (quasi-)symplectic structure βand a dilaton. As a salient feature, this symplectic gravity action and the resulting equations of motion take a form which is similar to the standard action and field equations. Furthermore, the two actions turn out to be related via a field redefinition reminiscent of the Seiberg-Witten limit. Remarkably, this redefinition admits a direct generalization to higher-order α'-corrections and to the additional fields and couplings appearing in the effective action of the superstring. Simple solutions to the equations of motion of the symplectic gravity action, including Calabi-Yau geometries, are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

A bi-invariant Einstein-Hilbert action for the non-geometric string

Inspired by recent studies on string theory with non-geometric fluxes, we develop a differential geometry calculus combining usual diffeomorphisms with what we call beta-diffeomorphisms. This allows us to construct a manifestly bi-invariant Einstein-Hilbert type action for the graviton, the dilaton and a dynamical (quasi-)symplectic structure. The equations of motion of this symplectic gravity theory, further generalizations and the relation to the usual form of the string effective action are discussed. The Seiberg-Witten limit, known for open strings to relate commutative with non-commutative theories, makes an interesting appearance.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

A Note on Poly-Instanton Effects in Type IIB Orientifolds on Calabi-Yau Threefolds

The zero mode structure for the generation of poly-instanton corrections for Euclidian D3-branes wrapping complex surfaces in Type IIB orientifolds with O7- and O3-planes is analyzed. Working examples of such surfaces and explicit embeddings into compact Calabi-Yau threefolds are presented, with special emphasis on geometries capable of realizing the LARGE volume scenario.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

Moduli Stabilization and Inflationary Cosmology with Poly-Instantons in Type IIB Orientifolds

Equipped with concrete examples of Type IIB orientifolds featuring poly-instanton corrections to the superpotential, the effects on moduli stabilization and inflationary cosmology are analyzed. Working in the framework of the LARGE volume scenario, the Kaehler modulus related to the size of the four-cycle supporting the poly-instanton contributes sub-dominantly to the scalar potential. It is shown that this Kaehler modulus gets stabilized and, by displacing it from its minimum, can play the role of an inflaton. Subsequent cosmological implications are discussed and compared to experimental data.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Palatini-Lovelock-Cartan Gravity - Bianchi Identities for Stringy Fluxes

A Palatini-type action for Einstein and Gauss-Bonnet gravity with non-trivial torsion is proposed. Three-form flux is incorporated via a deformation of the Riemann tensor, and consistency of the Palatini variational principle requires the flux to be covariantly constant and to satisfy a Jacobi identity. Studying gravity actions of third order in the curvature leads to a conjecture about general Palatini-Lovelock-Cartan gravity. We point out potential relations to string-theoretic Bianchi identities and, using the Schouten-Nijenhuis bracket, derive a set of Bianchi identities for the non-geometric Q- and R-fluxes which include derivative and curvature terms. Finally, the problem of relating torsional gravity to higher-order corrections of the bosonic string-effective action is revisited.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Nonassociativity in String Theory

I summarize some of the ideas and motivations behind a recently performed conformal field theory analysis of closed strings in both geometric and nongeometric three-form flux backgrounds. This suggests an underlying nonassociative structure for the coordinates.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Landscape Study of Target Space Duality of (0,2) Heterotic String Models

In the framework of (0,2) gauged linear sigma models, we systematically generate sets of perturbatively dual heterotic string compactifications. This target space duality is first derived in non-geometric phases and then translated to the level of GLSMs and its geometric phases. In a landscape analysis, we compare the massless chiral spectra and the dimensions of the moduli spaces. Our study includes geometries given by complete intersections of hypersurfaces in toric varieties equipped with SU(n) vector bundles defined via the monad construction.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Non-geometric Fluxes, Asymmetric Strings and Nonassociative Geometry

We study closed bosonic strings propagating both in a flat background with constant H-flux and in its T-dual configurations. We define a conformal field theory capturing linear effects in the flux and compute scattering amplitudes of tachyons, where the Rogers dilogarithm plays a prominent role. For the scattering of four tachyons, a fluxed version of the Virasoro-Shapiro amplitude is derived and its pole structure is analyzed. In the case of an R-flux background obtained after three T-dualities, we find indications for a nonassociative target-space structure which can be described in terms of a deformed tri-product. Remarkably, this product is compatible with crossing symmetry of conformal correlation functions. We finally argue that the R-flux background flows to an asymmetric CFT.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Computational Tools for Cohomology of Toric Varieties

In this review, novel non-standard techniques for the computation of cohomology classes on toric varieties are summarized. After an introduction of the basic definitions and properties of toric geometry, we discuss a specific computational algorithm for the determination of the dimension of line-bundle valued cohomology groups on toric varieties. Applications to the computation of chiral massless matter spectra in string compactifications are discussed and, using the software package cohomCalg, its utility is highlighted on a new target space dual pair of (0,2) heterotic string models.

hep-th↗
arXiv2010

Nonassociative Gravity in String Theory?

In an on-shell conformal field theory approach, we find indications of a three-bracket structure for target space coordinates in general closed string backgrounds. This generalizes the appearance of noncommutative gauge theories for open strings in two-form backgrounds to a putative noncommutative/nonassociative gravity theory for closed strings probing curved backgrounds with non-vanishing three-form flux. Several aspects and consequences of the three-bracket structure are discussed and a new type of generalized uncertainty principle is proposed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2010

Cohomology of Line Bundles: A Computational Algorithm

We present an algorithm for computing line bundle valued cohomology classes over toric varieties. This is the basic starting point for computing massless modes in both heterotic and Type IIB/F-theory compactifications, where the manifolds of interest are complete intersections of hypersurfaces in toric varieties supporting additional vector bundles.

hep-th↗
arXiv2010

FCNC Processes from D-brane Instantons

Low string scale models might be tested at the LHC directly by their Regge resonances. For such models it is important to investigate the constraints of Standard Model precision measurements on the string scale. It is shown that highly suppressed FCNC processes like K0- bar K^0 oscillations or leptonic decays of the D0-meson provide non-negligible lower bounds on both the perturbatively and surprisingly also non-perturbatively induced string theory couplings. We present both the D-brane instanton formalism to compute such amplitudes and discuss various possible scenarios and their constraints on the string scale for (softly broken) supersymmetric intersecting D-brane models.

hep-th↗
arXiv2010

Cohomology of Line Bundles: Applications

Massless modes of both heterotic and Type II string compactifications on compact manifolds are determined by vector bundle valued cohomology classes. Various applications of our recent algorithm for the computation of line bundle valued cohomology classes over toric varieties are presented. For the heterotic string, the prime examples are so-called monad constructions on Calabi-Yau manifolds. In the context of Type II orientifolds, one often needs to compute equivariant cohomology for line bundles, necessitating us to generalize our algorithm to this case. Moreover, we exemplify that the different terms in Batyrev's formula and its generalizations can be given a one-to-one cohomological interpretation. This paper is considered the third in the row of arXiv:1003.5217 and arXiv:1006.2392.

hep-th↗