Related papers: Heterotic versus Type I

Using the relation between D-brane charges and K-theory, we study non-BPS D-branes and their behavior under T-duality. We point out that in general compactifications, D-brane charges are classified by relative K-theory groups. T-duality is…

We point out that in some situations it is possible to use matrix model techniques a la Dijkgraaf-Vafa to perturbatively compute D-brane instanton effects. This provides an explanation in terms of stringy instantons of the results in…

We discuss $F_{\mu\nu}^4$ terms in torroidal compactifications of type-I and heterotic SO(32) string theory. We give a simple argument why only short BPS multiplets contribute to these terms at one loop, and verify heterotic-type-I duality…

We review how D-brane instantons can generate open string couplings of stringy hierarchy in the superpotential which violate global abelian symmetries and are therefore perturbatively forbidden. We discuss the main ingredients of this…

We discuss some physical issues related to the K-theoretic classification of D-brane charges, putting an emphasis on the role of D-brane instantons. The relation to D-instantons provides a physical interpretation to the mathematical…

We review our recent work on the existence of a new independent R^4 term, at one loop, in the type IIA and heterotic effective actions, after reduction to four dimensions, besides the usual square of the Bel-Robinson tensor. We discuss its…

This is a summary of the analysis of the one-loop effective action in Z_2-orbifold compactifications of type-I theory presented in references [1,2]. We show how, for non-abelian group factors, the threshold effects are ultraviolet finite…

We study limits of infinite distance in the moduli space of 4d $\mathcal{N} = 2$ string compactifications, in which instanton effects dominate. We first consider trajectories in the hypermultiplet moduli space of type IIB Calabi-Yau…

We propose a formula for the effective action of Matrix Theory which succesfully reproduces a large class of Born-Infeld type D-brane probe actions. The formula is motivated by demanding consistency with known results, and is tested by…

We discuss the four-dimensional N=1 effective actions of single space-time filling Dp-branes in general Type IIA and Type IIB Calabi-Yau orientifold compactifications. The effective actions depend on an infinite number of normal…

We analyze the hypermultiplet moduli space describing the universal sector of type IIA theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. The classical moduli space is described in terms of the coset $SU(2,1)/U(2)$. The flux quantization…

Combining the benefits of D-branes and background fluxes in string compactifications opens up the possibility to explore phenomenologically interesting brane world models with stabilized moduli. However, it is difficult to determine…

We present closed-form expressions of unrefined instanton partition functions for gauge groups of type $BCD$ as sums over Young diagrams. For $\mathrm{SO}(n)$ gauge groups, we provide a fivebrane web picture of our formula based on the…

We investigate quantum corrections to the moduli space for hypermultiplets for type IIA near a conifold singularity. We find a unique quantum deformation based on symmetry arguments which is consistent with a recent conjecture. The…

We interpret instantons on a torus with twisted boundary conditions, in terms of bound states of branes. The interplay between the SU(N) and U(1) parts of the U(N) theory of N 4-branes allows the construction of a variety of bound states.…

Type I - heterotic duality in D=10 predicts various relations and constraints on higher order F^n couplings at different string loop levels on both sides. We prove the vanishing of two-loop corrections to the heterotic F^4 terms, which is…

We derive the complete $(curvature)^2$ terms of effective D-brane actions, for arbitrary ambient geometries and world-volume embeddings, at lowest order (disk-level) in the string-loop expansion. These terms reproduce the $o(\alpha'^2)$…

We discuss the physics of D-branes and D-brane instantons intersecting at angles, focusing on the (non)generation of a superpotential in the worldvolume theory of the branes. This is a short review of the results in arXiv:0905.1694, where…

A couple of issues concerning the effective dynamics of D-branes in string theory are discussed. Primarily, I am concerned with linearization of the actions by introduction of non-propagating fields and a full super- and kappa-symmetric…

We construct the half-supersymmetric instanton solutions that are electric-magnetically dual to the recently discussed half-supersymmetric Q7-branes. We call these instantons `Q-instantons'. Whereas the D-instanton is most conveniently…