arXiv subjects

Vittorio Larotonda

Publications and source records attributed to Vittorio Larotonda.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Non-supersymmetric dualities beyond the gauge algebra

We provide a testing ground for dualities of non-supersymmetric type 0 orientifolds by finding the global forms of their gauge groups. As an example, we consider the Bergman--Gaberdiel proposal for a duality of theories with $\mathfrak{so}(32) \oplus \mathfrak{so}(32)$ gauge algebra. On the orientifold side, we perform a scan of brane states, similar to the case of the D0-brane in type I string theory, and identify spinorial states that constrain the gauge group. Comparing with the bosonic string side, where the gauge group is determined by the internal momentum lattice as in heterotic strings, our analysis shows that the gauge groups match, hence supporting the duality beyond the perturbative string spectrum.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Anomaly Inflow and Gauge Group Topology in the 10d Sugimoto String Theory

We revisit the chiral spectra on charged 1- and 5-branes in the 10d non-supersymmetric $\mathfrak{sp}(16)$ string theory (also known as the Sugimoto model), and verify that they consistently cancel the anomaly inflow induced by a Green--Schwarz mechanism in the bulk. By analyzing the $\mathfrak{sp}(16)$ representations arising from quantizing the fermion zero modes on these branes as well as uncharged 4-branes, we find compelling evidence that the global structure of the gauge group is $Sp(16)/\mathbb{Z}_2$. We further comment on a possible duality to non-supersymmetric heterotic strings, and explore bottom-up anomaly inflow constraints for 10d effective $Sp(16)/\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge theories coupled to gravity.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Non-abelian asymmetric orbifolds with vanishing one-loop vacuum energy

We present a partial classification of four-dimensional, non-supersymmetric Type II toroidal orbifolds with non-abelian point groups of rotations, and vanishing vacuum energy at one loop in string perturbation theory. The classification is complete within a class of such orbifolds with the restriction that the point group only acts on a $T^5$ inside the full internal $T^6$. By studying their decompactification limits along the leftover $S^1$, we see that the 17 solutions we find can alternatively be obtained as Scherk--Schwarz compactifications of some parent asymmetric orbifold. Along the way, to ensure the absence of anomalies, we compute bordism groups $Ω_3^{Spin(BG)}$ for a variety of non-abelian crystallographic groups $G$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Asymmetric orbifolds with vanishing one-loop vacuum energy

We present a systematic study of non-supersymmetric type II toroidal asymmetric orbifolds with vanishing vacuum energy at one-loop in string perturbation theory. These are engineered through the conservation of a supercharge-like operator in each individual sector in the orbifold sum, despite the overall explicit breaking of spacetime SUSY. We provide a full classification of such orbifolds with finite Abelian point-group, which can only admit $\mathbb{Z}_k \times \mathbb{Z}_k$ point group with $k=2,3,4$. We present detailed constructions, alongside other examples with non-Abelian point group. For some of these models, it is possible that this cancellation persists at higher loops.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Non-supersymmetric branes and discrete topological terms

In a recent work, Tachikawa and Zhang proved the existence of a discrete topological term in the unique non-supersymmetric heterotic string with no tachyons in ten dimensions. This theory features NS5-branes, whose chiral degrees of freedom are not well-understood due to the absence of dualities or supersymmetry. In this paper, we test the consistency of a tentative spectrum obtained by anomaly inflow, studying the relation between the worldvolume theory and the discrete topological term in spacetime. Furthermore, we conduct a bottom-up investigation of lower-dimensional gravitational theories with the same methods.

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