Related papers: A new class of spatially homogeneous 4D string bac…
If a finite group $G$ is isomorphic to a subgroup of $SO(3)$, then $G$ has the D2-property. Let $X$ be a finite complex satisfying Wall's D2-conditions. If $\pi_1(X)=G$ is finite, and $\chi(X) \geq 1-Def(G)$, then $X \vee S^2$ is simple…
We discuss an orbifold of the toroidally compactified heterotic string which gives a global reduction of the dimension of the moduli space while preserving the supersymmetry. This construction yields the moduli space of the first of a…
We develop a bottom-up holographic model that provides the dual description of a strongly coupled field theory, in which the spontaneous breaking of an approximate global symmetry yields the SO(5)/SO(4) coset relevant to minimal…
We construct D=4 Type I vacua with massless content remarkably close to that of the standard model of particle physics. They are tachyon-free non-supersymmetric models which are obtained starting with a standard D=4, N=1 compact Type IIB…
We classify symmetric backgrounds of eleven-dimensional supergravity up to local isometry. In other words, we classify triples (M,g,F), where (M,g) is an eleven-dimensional lorentzian locally symmetric space and F is an invariant 4-form,…
We study a new mechanism to dynamically break supersymmetry in the E8xE8 heterotic string. As discussed recently in the literature, a long-lived, meta-stable non-supersymmetric vacuum can be achieved in an N=1 SQCD whose spectrum contains a…
We scrutinize the overall structure of the space of cosmological models of Bianchi type I-VII$_h$ that contain a free massless scalar field, with a spatially homogeneous gradient $\nabla_\mu \varphi$ that generally breaks isotropy, in…
We present numerical evidence for the existence of new black hole solutions in $d\geq 6$ spacetime dimensions. They approach asymptotically the Minkowski background and have an event horizon topology $S^2\times S^{d-4}$. These static…
We propose correspondences between 4d quantum field theories with N=2,1,0 (super)conformal invariance and Type IIB string theory on various orbifolds. We argue using the spacetime string theory, and check using the beta functions (exactly…
We construct non-supersymmetric AdS3 solutions of the O(16)xO(16) heterotic string. Most of the backgrounds have a classical worldsheet definition but are quantum string vacua in the sense that string loop corrections change the curvature…
We propose an organizing principle for string theory moduli spaces in six dimensions with $\mathcal{N} = (1,1)$, based on a rank reduction map, into which all known constructions fit. In the case of cyclic orbifolds, which are the main…
I argue that the ten dimensional non--supersymmetric tachyonic superstrings may serve as good starting points for the construction of viable phenomenological vacua. Thus, enlarging the space of possible solutions that may address some of…
String backgrounds are described as purely geometric objects related to moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces, in the spirit of Segal's definition of a conformal field theory. Relations with conformal field theory, topological field theory and…
We find a new class of cosmic string solutions with non-vanishing magnetic flux of $\mathcal{N}=1$, D=4 supergravity with a cosmological constant and coupled to any number of Maxwell and scalar multiplets. We show that these magnetic cosmic…
We introduce a new class of functional correlated disordered materials, termed Gyromorphs, which uniquely combine liquid-like translational disorder with quasi-long-range rotational order, induced by a ring of $G$ delta peaks in their…
We study different phenomenological aspects of compact, D=4, N=1 Type IIB orientifolds considered as models for unification of the standard model and gravity. We discuss the structure of the compactification, string and unification scales…
The matter sector of four-dimensional effective supergravity models obtained from the weakly coupled heterotic string contains many moduli. In particular, flat directions of the D-term part of the scalar potential in the presence of an…
Phenomenologically viable string vacua may require incorporating Kac-Moody algebras at level $\geq 2$. We exploit the free fermionic formulation to construct N=(0,2) world-sheet supersymmetric string models with specific phenomenological…
We present exact inhomogeneous and anisotropic cosmological solutions of low-energy string theory containing dilaton and axion fields. The spacetime metric possesses cylindrical symmetry. The solutions describe ever-expanding universes with…
We describe higher-dimensional theories whose low-energy 4D descriptions contain larger gauge or global symmetry groups. As an example, we construct a Higgsless SU(2) x U(1) model of electroweak symmetry breaking. The 5D SU(2) gauge…