Related papers: A Heterotic QCD Axion
We review the construction of eight-dimensional (8D) non-geometric heterotic strings, proposed by Malmendier and Morrison, which do not allow for a geometric interpretation. In the construction, the $\mathfrak{e}_8\oplus \mathfrak{e}_7$…
We derive stability conditions for the critical points of the no-scale scalar potential governing the dynamics of the complex structure moduli and the axio-dilaton in compactifications of type IIB string theory on Calabi-Yau three-folds. We…
Eight-dimensional non-geometric heterotic strings with gauge algebra $\mathfrak{e}_8\mathfrak{e}_7$ were constructed by Malmendier and Morrison as heterotic duals of F-theory on K3 surfaces with $\Lambda^{1,1}\oplus E_8\oplus E_7$ lattice…
Various authors have noted that in particular models, the upper bound on the axion decay constant may not hold. We point out that within supersymmetry, this is a generic issue. For large decay constants, the cosmological problems associated…
After discussing some general problems for heterotic compactifications involving fivebranes we construct bundles, built as extensions, over an elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau threefold. For these we show that it is possible to satisfy the…
The axion Weak Gravity Conjecture implies that when parametrically increasing the axion decay constants, instanton corrections become increasingly important. We provide strong evidence for the validity of this conjecture by studying the…
We calculate, at the classical level, the superpotential tri-linear couplings of the only known globally consistent heterotic minimal supersymmetric Standard Model [ hep-th/0512149 ]. This recently constructed model is based on a…
We argue that in type IIB LVS string models, after including the leading order moduli stabilisation effects, the moduli space for the remaining flat directions is compact due the Calabi-Yau K\"ahler cone conditions. In cosmological…
Heterotic toroidal orbifolds are a powerful framework for testing our understanding of string vacua. We review recent advances in heterotic model building, from constructing new vacua to proving novel de Sitter no-go theorems. We also…
Heterotic string compactifications on integrable $G_2$ structure manifolds $Y$ with instanton bundles $(V,A), (TY,\tilde{\theta})$ yield supersymmetric three-dimensional vacua that are of interest in physics. In this paper, we define a…
We derive model-independent quantization conditions on the axion couplings (sometimes known as the anomaly coefficients) to the Standard Model gauge group $[SU(3)\times SU(2)\times U(1)_Y]/\mathbb{Z}_q$ with $q=1,2,3,6$. Using these…
I illustrate the existence of quasi-realistic heterotic-string models in which all the untwisted Kaehler and complex structure moduli, as well as all of the twisted sectors moduli, are projected out by the generalized GSO projections. I…
The current cosmological bound on the invisible axion scale may be avoided in the class of theories in which the gauge coupling constant is determined through the expectation value of some scalar field (e.g. moduli in supergravity and…
We propose that under certain conditions heterotic string compactifications on half-flat and nearly-Kahler manifolds are equivalent. Based on this correspondence we argue that the moduli space of the nearly-Kahler manifolds under discussion…
In a previous paper, we introduced a heterotic standard model and discussed its basic properties. This vacuum has the spectrum of the MSSM with one additional pair of Higgs-Higgs conjugate fields and a small number of uncharged moduli. In…
We examine whether a minimal string model possessing the same massless spectra as the MSSM can be obtained from $Z_4$, $Z_6$ and $Z_8$ orbifold constructions. Using an anomaly cancellation condition of the target space duality symmetry, we…
Natural inflation relies on the existence of an axion decay constant which is super-Planckian. In string theory only sub-Planckian axion decay constants have been found in any controlled regime. However in field theory it is possible to…
Axions arising as modes of higher-dimensional gauge fields are known to offer a compelling solution to the axion quality problem and to naturally arise in string theory. In this context, it is interesting to ask how we would interpret an…
We show that the minimal supergravity extension of the standard model automatically contains topologically stable electroweak strings if the hidden sector is invariant under the exact R-symmetry. These defects appear in the form of the…
We propose a scenario for realizing super-Planckian axion decay constants in Calabi-Yau orientifolds of type IIB string theory, leading to large-field inflation. Our construction is a simple embedding in string theory of the mechanism of…