199 research outputs found

    Universal flops of length 1 and 2 from D2-branes at surface singularities

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    Abstract We study families of deformed ADE surfaces by probing them with a D2-brane in Type IIA string theory. The geometry of the total space X of such a family can be encoded in a scalar field Φ, which lives in the corresponding ADE algebra and depends on the deformation parameters. The superpotential of the probe three dimensional (3d) theory incorporates a term that depends on the field Φ. By varying the parameters on which Φ depends, one generates a family of 3d theories whose moduli space always includes a geometric branch, isomorphic to the deformed surface. By fibering this geometric branch over the parameter space, the total space X of the family of ADE surfaces is reconstructed. We explore various cases, including when X is the universal flop of length ℓ = 1, 2. The effective theory, obtained after the introduction of Φ, provides valuable insights into the geometric features of X, such as the loci in parameter space where the fiber becomes singular and, more notably, the conditions under which this induces a singularity in the total space. By analyzing the monopole operators in the 3d theory, we determine the charges of certain M2-brane states arising in M-theory compactifications on X

    A string theory realization of special unitary quivers in 3 dimensions

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    We propose a string theory realization of three-dimensional N = 4 quiver gauge theories with special unitary gauge groups. This is most easily understood in type IIA string theory with D4-branes wrapped on holomorphic curves in local K3’s, by invoking the Stückelberg mechanism. From the type IIB perspective, this is understood as simply compactifying the familiar Hanany-Witten (HW) constructions on a T3. The mirror symmetry duals are easily derived. We illustrate this with various examples of mirror pairs.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

    The role of U(1)’s in 5d theories, Higgs branches, and geometry

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    We explore the Higgs branches of five-dimensional N = 1 quiver gauge theories at finite coupling from the paradigm of M-theory on local Calabi-Yau threefolds described as ℂ∗-fibrations over local K3’s. By properly counting local deformations of singularities, we find results compatible with unitary as opposed to special unitary gauge groups. We interpret these results by dualizing to both IIA on local K3’s with D6-branes, and to IIB with 5-branes. Finally, we find that, by compactifying the ℂ∗-fibers to tori, a well-known Stückelberg mechanism eliminates Abelian factors, and provides missing Higgs branch moduli in a very interesting way. This is also explained from the dual IIA and IIB viewpoints.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

    G 4 flux, algebraic cycles and complex structure moduli stabilization

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    We construct G(4) fluxes that stabilize all of the 426 complex structure moduli of the sextic Calabi-Yau fourfold at the Fermat point. Studying flux stabilization usually requires solving Picard-Fuchs equations, which becomes unfeasible for models with many moduli. Here, we instead start by considering a specific point in the complex structure moduli space, and look for a flux that fixes us there. We show how to construct such fluxes by using algebraic cycles and analyze flat directions. This is discussed in detail for the sextic Calabi-Yau fourfold at the Fermat point, and we observe that there appears to be tension between M2-tadpole cancellation and the requirement of stabilizing all moduli. Finally, we apply our results to show that even though symmetric fluxes allow to automatically solve several F-term equations, they typically lead to flat directions

    Moduli Stabilisation for Chiral Global Models

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    We combine moduli stabilisation and (chiral) model building in a fully consistent global set-up in Type IIB/F-theory. We consider compactifications on Calabi-Yau orientifolds which admit an explicit description in terms of tonic geometry. We build globally consistent compactifications with tadpole and Freed-Witten anomaly cancellation by choosing appropriate brane set-ups and world-volume fluxes which also give rise to SU(5)- or MSSM-like chiral models. We fix all the Kahler moduli within the Kahler cone and the regime of validity of the 4D effective field theory. This is achieved in a way compatible with the local presence of chirality. The hidden sector generating the non-perturbative effects is placed on a del Pezzo divisor that does not have any chiral intersection with any other brane. In general, the vanishing D-term condition implies the shrinking of the rigid divisor supporting the visible sector. However, we avoid this problem by generating r < n D-term conditions on a set of n intersecting divisors. The remaining (n - r) flat directions are fixed by perturbative corrections to the Kahler potential. We illustrate our general claims in an explicit example. We consider a K3-fibred Calabi-Yau with four Kahler moduli, that is a hypersurface in a toric ambient space and admits a 'simple' F-theory up-lift. We present explicit choices of brane set-ups and fluxes which lead to three different phenomenological scenarios: the first with CUT-scale strings and TeV-scale SUSY by fine-tuning the background fluxes; the second with an exponentially large value of the volume and TeV-scale SUSY without fine-tuning the background fluxes; and the third with a very anisotropic configuration that leads to TeV-scale strings and two micron-sized extra dimensions. The K3 fibration structure of the Calabi-Yau three-fold is also particularly suitable for cosmological purposes

    Genus zero Gopakumar-Vafa invariants from open strings

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    Abstract We propose a new way to compute the genus zero Gopakumar-Vafa invariants for two families of non-toric non-compact Calabi-Yau threefolds that admit simple flops: Reid’s Pagodas, and Laufer’s examples. We exploit the duality between M-theory on these threefolds, and IIA string theory with D6-branes and O6-planes. From this perspective, the GV invariants are detected as five-dimensional open string zero modes. We propose a definition for genus zero GV invariants for threefolds that do not admit small crepant resolutions. We find that in most cases, non-geometric T-brane data is required in order to fully specify the invariants

    On de Sitter string vacua from anti-d3-branes in the large volume scenario

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    We consider de Sitter vacua realised in concrete type IIB Calabi-Yau compactifications with an anti D3-brane at the tip of a warped throat of Klebanov-Strassler type. The Kähler moduli are stabilised together with the complex structure modulus of the warped throat. The volume is exponentially large as in the large volume scenario (LVS). We analyse the conditions on the parameters of the EFT such that they are in the region of validity of our approximations, there are no runaway problems and the vacua satisfy all consistency constraints, such as tadpole cancellation. We illustrate our results with an explicit Calabi-Yau orientifold with two Kähler moduli and one antibrane on top of an O3-plane in a warped throat, that has the goldstino as its only massless state. The moduli are stabilised with gs∼ 0.2 and volume VV \mathcal{V} ∼ 104 in string units, justifying the approximation used to derive the corresponding EFT. Although the model lacks chiral matter, it is presented as a proof of concept, chosen to be the simplest realisation of antibrane uplift

    Systematics of the α′ expansion in F-theory

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    Extracting reliable low-energy information from string compactifications notoriously requires a detailed understanding of the UV sensitivity of the corresponding effective field theories. Despite past efforts in computing perturbative string corrections to the tree-level action, neither a systematic approach nor a unified framework has emerged yet. We make progress in this direction, focusing on the moduli dependence of perturbative corrections to the 4D scalar potential of type IIB Calabi-Yau orientifold compactifications. We proceed by employing two strategies. First, we use two rescaling symmetries of type IIB string theory to infer the dependence of any perturbative correction on both the dilaton and the Calabi-Yau volume. Second, we use F/M-theory duality to conclude that KK reductions on elliptically-fibred Calabi-Yau fourfolds of the M-theory action at any order in the derivative expansion can only generate (α′)even corrections to the 4D scalar potential, which, moreover, all vanish for trivial fibrations. We finally give evidence that (α′)odd effects arise from integrating out KK and winding modes on the elliptic fibration and argue that the leading no-scale breaking effects at string tree-level arise from (α′)3 effects, modulo potential logarithmic corrections

    Retention of quartz fiber posts using different luting cements

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    Objectives: To determine the effect on the pull-out strength of threads cut into the surface of quartz fiber post cemented with three luting materials. Methods: 42 human single-rooted, crownless teeth were treated endodontically and randomly assigned to six fiber posts groups: 1) to 3) were restored with Macro-Lock#3 posts (RTD); 4) to 6) with control posts made of the same material but lacking threads (RTD). The posts were cemented 12mm deep using Panavia(Kuraray), RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE), and Fuji Plus (GC) following the manufacturer instructions. The specimens were subjected to 5000 thermal cycles at 5 and 55°C and wet stored. Retentions were made on the emerging portion of the controls using a diamod bur, then a composite core was made using a mold. A pull-out stress was applied by clamping the core with an Instron machine (2mm/min speed). The pull-out strength was recorded for each group and compared (alpha=0.05). After the test, the specimens were observed under the stereomicroscope to determine failure patterns. Results: The Macro-Lock demonstrated higher retention with all the luting materials employed, statistically significant when RelyX and Fuji were used (
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