arXiv subjects

Ratul Mahanta

Publications and source records attributed to Ratul Mahanta.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Quadratic Axion Couplings in String Theory

Axions and axion-like particles are a compelling candidate for physics beyond the standard model. While many axion searches are focused on the linear coupling to photons $\theta F \tilde{F}$, the possibility of a quadratic coupling to the electromagnetic kinetic term, $\theta^2 F^2$, leads to novel phenomenology and new opportunities for testing axion-like particles. In this work we propose mechanisms for generating this coupling in string theory, which can be broadly classified as classical, perturbative, and non-perturbative. In benchmark examples, we find that both perturbative and non-perturbative quantum contributions such as instantons lead to couplings that are suppressed, $g \ll 1$ in units of $1/f^2$ where $f$ is axion decay constant, though easily larger than analogous coupling of the QCD axion that is generated through loops of charged pions. These analyses suggest that quadratic axion couplings to gauge fields are ubiquitous in string theory, and should be taken seriously as a probe of the string theory axiverse, both of string theory candidates for dynamical axions, such as dark matter or dark energy, and for spectroscopy of the string theory axiverse.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Time-dependent flux backgrounds in type IIB supergravity

We analytically construct families of type IIB supergravity backgrounds in ten dimensions in which the four-dimensional metric is time dependent, while the six-dimensional internal space is an arbitrary compact Calabi-Yau manifold (with no restriction on holonomy) up to an overall time-dependent scale factor. Our solutions include cases with all fluxes (three-form and self-dual five-form) switched on, as well as cases with subsets of these fluxes, together with a time-dependent axiodilaton in most cases. These constructions require no local sources. We show that the associated energy-momentum tensors (both 10D and the resulting 4D effective) satisfy the null, weak, strong, and dominant energy conditions. In our explicit constructions, the Ricci scalar of the four-dimensional Einstein frame metric is negative; such backgrounds may find applications to anisotropic or FLRW cosmologies in the early universe. We also revisit the Maldacena--Nu\~nez no-go analysis, incorporating new elements that appear in our constructions, namely an overall noncompact spacetime-dependent scale factor multiplying the internal metric, and field strengths with components partially covering the noncompact directions. We argue that, with these generalizations, a four-dimensional Einstein-frame metric with positive Ricci scalar cannot be ruled out by such an analysis.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Dimensional Reduction and K\"ahler Metric for Metric Moduli in Imaginary Self-Dual Flux

Understanding which effective field theories are consistent with an ultraviolet completion in quantum gravity is an important theoretical question. Therefore, it is important to know the structure of the 4D effective theory associated with a given compactification of string theory. We present a first-principles derivation of the low-energy 4D effective theory of geometric moduli in a warped Calabi-Yau compactification of type IIB string theory with imaginary self-dual 3-form flux. This completes the derivation of the metric on K\"ahler moduli space from the 10D equations of motion. We also give the first derivation of an effective action for flat directions in the complex structure moduli space of the Calabi-Yau (which generically mix with the axiodilaton) and work out explicit examples of complex structure flat directions in toroidal compactifications. Finally, we outline applications to a variety of settings, including precision string phenomenology and the tadpole conjecture.

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arXiv2024

Gravitational Waves from High Temperature Strings

We study finite temperature effects in string cosmology and their potential gravitational wave signature. Expanding on our recent work arXiv:2310.11494 , we consider a general configuration of highly excited open and closed strings at high enough temperature to be in the Hagedorn phase in 3+1 dimensions, in order to explore its cosmological implications. We find conditions, which can be satisfied in compactifications with moduli stabilization, that allow the long strings to remain in equilibrium in a controlled effective field theory, with equilibration driven by the joining and splitting of the dominant open string population. We calculate the emission rate of gravitons by long open strings, which we show is determined by ten dimensional flat space transition amplitudes available in the literature, and then find the total gravitational wave spectrum generated by the gas of long strings. The gravitational wave spectrum has robust characteristics. It peaks at frequencies of order 50-100 GHz, the same as for gravitational waves from the reheating epoch of the Standard Model. But the amplitude of the string signal is significantly larger than predicted by the Standard Model and its field theoretic extensions. The amplitude and other physical observables (such as the contribution to $\Delta N_{\text eff}$) are directly proportional to the string scale $M_s$; indicating that a potential signal may also determine the string scale. Our calculations provide one of the few examples of a signal of stringy origin that dominates over the field theory predictions. We give a physical explanation of our results and discuss further implications.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

String Thermodynamics In and Out of Equilibrium: Boltzmann Equations and Random Walks

We revisit the study of string theory close to the Hagedorn temperature with the aim towards cosmological applications. We consider interactions of open and closed strings in a gas of D$p-$branes, and/or one isolated D$p$-brane, in an arbitrary number $d$ of flat non-compact dimensions and general compact dimensions. Leading order string perturbation theory is used to obtain the basic interaction rates in a flat background, which are shown to be consistent with the random walk picture of highly excited strings that should apply in more general backgrounds. Using the random walk interpretation we infer the structure of more general semi-inclusive string scattering rates and then write down the corresponding Boltzmann equations describing ensembles of highly excited closed and open strings. We organise the interaction terms in Boltzmann equations so that detailed balance becomes manifest. We obtain the equilibrium solutions and show that they reduce to previously computed solutions for $d=0$. We further study the behaviour of non-equlibrium fluctuations and find explicit analytic expressions for the equilibration rates (and for the number of open strings in $d=0$). Potential implications for an early universe with strings at high temperatures are outlined.

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arXiv2023

Early Dark Energy in Type IIB String Theory

Early Dark Energy (EDE) is a promising model to resolve the Hubble Tension, that, informed by Cosmic Microwave Background data, features a generalization of the potential energy usually associated with axion-like particles. We develop realizations of EDE in type IIB string theory with the EDE field identified as either a $C_4$ or $C_2$ axion and with full closed string moduli stabilization within the framework of either KKLT or the Large Volume Scenario. We explain how to achieve a natural hierarchy between the EDE energy scale and that of the other fields within a controlled effective field theory. We argue that the data-driven EDE energy scale and decay constant can be achieved without any tuning of the microscopic parameters for EDE fields that violate the weak gravity conjecture, while for states that respect the conjecture it is necessary to introduce a fine-tuning. This singles out as the most promising EDE candidates, amongst several working models, the $C_2$ axions in LVS with 3 non-perturbative corrections to the superpotential generated by gaugino condensation on D7-branes with non-zero world-volume fluxes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Modular linear differential equations for four-point sphere conformal blocks

We construct modular linear differential equations (MLDEs) w.r.t. subgroups of the modular group whose solutions are Virasoro conformal blocks appearing in the expansion of a crossing symmetric 4-point correlator on the sphere. This uses a connection between crossing transformations and modular transformations. We focus specifically on second order MLDEs with the cases of all identical and pairwise identical operators in the correlator. The central charge, the dimensions of the above operators and those of the intermediate ones are expressed in terms of parameters that occur in such MLDEs. In doing so, the $q$-expansions of the solutions to the MLDEs are compared with those of Virasoro blocks; hence, Zamolodchikov's elliptic recursion formula provides an important input. Using the actions of respective subgroups, bootstrap equations involving the associated 3-point coefficients have been set up and solved as well in terms of the MLDE parameters. We present explicit examples of MLDEs corresponding to BPZ and novel non-BPZ equations, as well as unitary and non-unitary CFTs.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Flux Vacua with Approximate Flat Directions

We present a novel method to obtain type IIB flux vacua with flat directions at tree level. We perform appropriate choices of flux quanta that induce relations between the flux superpotential and its derivatives. This method is implemented in toroidal and Calabi-Yau compactifications in the large complex structure limit. Explicit solutions are obtained and classified on the basis of duality equivalences. In the toroidal case we present solutions with N=1 and N=2 supersymmetry and arbitrarily weak coupling. In Calabi-Yaus we find novel perturbatively flat vacua, as well as solutions with non-zero flux superpotential and an axionic flat direction which represent a promising starting point for de Sitter constructions from non-zero F-terms in the complex structure sector. The higher order (perturbative and non-perturbative) effects that can lift these flat directions are discussed. We also outline applications in a wide variety of settings involving the classical Regge growth conjecture, inflation and quintessence, supersymmetry breaking and F-term de Sitter uplifting.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Analyticity Domain for Off-shell Five-point Superstring Loop Amplitudes

In an earlier work arXiv:2009.0337, we showed that for arbitrary Feynman loop diagrams (with no massless internal propagators) in closed superstring field theory, a known domain can be analytically extended by simply adjoining convex combinations of points drawn from it. Such extension yielded 350 of the well-known 370 primitive tubes for 5-point functions. In this paper, we consider the remaining 20 primitive tubes. We show that different types of convex combinations cover different sections of these tubes. We use a specific algorithm to analytically obtain 129 types of convex combinations along with their region of validity. Then, we use numerical techniques to locate points from those tubes that are not covered by them. This does not rule out the possibility of the leftover points being represented as desirable convex combinations. Indeed we give ways to improve our algorithm indicating that the leftover points can be covered.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Dark Radiation and the Hagedorn Phase

We point out that if the sector associated with the Standard Model degrees of freedom entered an open string Hagedorn phase in the early universe while the dark radiation sector was not part of this plasma, then this can lead to low values of the observable $\Delta N_{\text{eff}}$ (number of additional neutrinolike species) from the dark radiation. For explicit analysis, we focus on warped string compactifications with the Standard Model degrees of freedom at the bottom of a warped throat. If the Hubble scale during inflation is above the warped string scale associated with the throat, then the Standard Model sector will enter the Hagedorn phase. In this scenario, bulk axions are no longer dangerous from the point of view of dark radiation. While this article focuses on warped compactifications, the basic idea can be relevant to any scenario where the early universe entered a Hagedorn phase.

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arXiv2020

Analyticity of Off-shell Green's Functions in Superstring Field Theory

We consider the off-shell momentum space Green's functions in closed superstring field theory. Recently in arXiv:1810.07197, the off-shell Green's functions -- after explicitly removing contributions of massless states -- have been shown to be analytic on a domain (to be called the LES domain) in complex external momenta variables. Analyticity of off-shell Green's functions in local QFTs without massless states in the primitive domain is a well-known result. Using complex Lorentz transformations and Bochner's theorem allow to extend the LES domain to a larger subset of the primitive domain. For the 2-, 3- and 4-point functions, the full primitive domain is recovered. For the 5-point function, we are not able to obtain the full primitive domain analytically, only a large part of it is recovered. While this problem arises also for higher-point functions, it is expected to be only a technical issue.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Non-thermal Hot Dark Matter from Inflaton/Moduli Decay: The Momentum Distribution and Relaxing the Cosmological Mass Bound

Decay of the inflaton or moduli which dominated the energy density of the universe at early times leads to a matter to radiation transition epoch. We consider non-thermal sterile dark matter particles produced as decay product during such transitions. The particles have a characteristic energy distribution - that associated with decays taking place in a matter dominated universe evolving to radiation domination. We primarily focus on the case when the particles are hot dark matter, and study their effects on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Large Scale Structure (LSS), explicitly taking into account their non-thermal momentum distribution. Our results for CMB angular power and linear matter power spectra reveal interesting features - such as an order of magnitude higher values of hot dark matter mass in comparison to the thermal case being consistent with the present data. We observe that this is related to the fact that $ΔN_{\rm eff}$ and the hot DM energy density can be independent of each other unlike the case of thermal or non-resonantly produced sterile hot DM. We also find features in the CMB at low $\ell$ angular power potentially related to supersonic transmission of hot dark matter through the photon-baryon plasma.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

Crossing, Modular Averages and $N \leftrightarrow k $ in WZW Models

We consider the construction of genus zero correlators of $SU(N)_k$ WZW models involving two Kac Moody primaries in the fundamental and two in the anti-fundamental representation from modular averaging of the contribution of the vacuum conformal block. In cases where we find the orbit of the vacuum conformal block to be finite, modular averaging reproduces the exact result for the correlators. In other cases, we perform the modular averaging numerically, the results are in agreement with the exact answers. We find a close relationship between the modular averaging sums of the theories related by level rank duality. We establish a one to one correspondence between elements of the orbits of the vacuum conformal blocks of dual theories. The contributions of paired terms to their respective correlators are simply related. One consequence of this is that the ratio between the OPE coefficients associated with dual correlators can be obtained analytically without performing the sums involved in the modular averagings. The pairing of terms in the modular averaging sums for dual theories suggests an interesting connection between level rank duality and semi-classical holographic computations of the correlators in the theories.

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