String Action Research Articles

Measures of non-Gaussianity in axion-string-induced CMB birefringence

The presence of axion strings in the Universe after recombination can leave an imprint on the polarization pattern of the cosmic microwave background radiation through the phenomenon of axion-string-induced birefringence via the hyperlight axion-like particle's coupling to electromagnetism. Across the sky, the polarization rotation angle is expected to display a patchwork of uniform regions with sharp boundaries that arise as the `shadow' of axion string loops. The statistics of such a birefringence sky map are therefore necessarily non-Gaussian. In this article we quantify the non-Gaussianity in axion-string-induced birefringence using two techniques, kurtosis and bispectrum, which correspond to 4- and 3-point correlation functions. If anisotropic birefringence were detected in the future, a measurement of its non-Gaussian properties would facilitate a discrimination across different new physics sources generally, and in the context of axion strings specifically, it would help to break degeneracies between the axion-photon coupling and properties of the string network.

Phenomenologies in Hypersphere Soliton and Stringy Photon Models

We consider the Dirac quantization in the first-class formalism to investigate the hypersphere soliton model (HSM) defined on the S3 hypersphere. To do this, we construct the first-class Hamiltonian possessing the Weyl ordering correction. In the HSM, we evaluate the baryon physical quantities such as the baryon masses, magnetic moments, axial coupling constant and charge radii, most predicted values of which are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data. Moreover, shuffling the baryon and transition magnetic moments, we find the model independent sum rules. In the HSM we also evaluate the baryon intrinsic frequencies such as ωN=0.87×1023s−1 and ωΔ=1.74×1023s−1 of the nucleon and delta baryon, respectively, to yield the identity ωΔ=2ωN. Next, making use of the Nambu-Goto string action and its extended rotating bosonic string theory, we formulate the stringy photon model to obtain the energy of the string configuration, which consists of the rotational and vibrational energies of the open string. Exploiting this total string energy, we evaluate the photon intrinsic frequency ωγ=9.00×1023s−1, which is comparable to the corresponding baryon intrinsic frequencies. We also predict the photon size ⟨r2⟩1/2(photon)=0.17fm, which is approximately 21% of the proton magnetic charge radius.

Axionic strings, domain walls, and baryons

Axionic strings, domain walls, and baryons

Light strings and strong coupling in F-theory

We consider 4d mathcal{N} = 1 theories arising from F-theory compactifications on elliptically-fibered Calabi-Yau four-folds and investigate the non-perturbative structure of their scalar field space beyond the large volume/large complex structure regime. We focus on regimes where the F-theory field space effectively reduces to the deformation space of the worldsheet theory of a critical string obtained from a wrapped D3-brane. In case that this critical string is a heterotic string with a simple GLSM description, we identify new strong coupling singularities in the interior of the F-theory field space. Whereas from the perturbative perspective these singularities manifest themselves through a breakdown of the perturbative α′-expansion, the dual GLSM perspective reveals that at the non-perturbative level these singularities correspond to loci in field space along which the worldsheet theory of the critical D3-brane string breaks down and a 7-brane gauge theory becomes strongly coupled due to quantum effects. Therefore these singularities signal a transition to a strong coupling phase in the F-theory field space which can be shown to arise due to the failure of the F-theory field space to factorize between complex structure and Kähler sector at the quantum level. Such singularities are hence a feature of a genuine mathcal{N} = 1 theory without a direct counterpart in mathcal{N} = 2 theories in 4d. By relating our setup to recent studies of global string solutions associated to axionic strings we argue that the D3-brane string dual to the perturbative heterotic string leaves the spectrum of BPS strings when traversing into the strong coupling phase. The absence of the perturbative, critical heterotic string then provides a physical explanation for the breakdown of the perturbative expansion and the obstruction of certain classical infinite distance limits in accordance with the Emergent String Conjecture.

Axion dark matter with thermal friction

Cosmological evolution of axion field in the early universe might be significantly affected by a thermal friction induced by the axion coupling to thermalized hidden sector. We examine the effects of such a thermal friction on axion dark matter density and its perturbation when the thermal friction dominates over the Hubble friction until when the axion field begins to oscillate around the potential minimum. We show that in the presence of sizable thermal friction there can be an exponential decay phase of the axion field before the oscillation phase, during which the axion energy density is efficiently dissipated into hidden thermal bath. Consequently, the previously excluded parameter region due to overclosing relic axion density becomes cosmologically viable with thermal friction. In particular, a QCD axion much lighter than μeV is viable without tuning the initial misalignment angle. We also find that thermal friction can affect the density perturbation of axion dark matter in various ways. For instance, it can alleviate the large-scale isocurvature bound on axion dark matter in the pre-inflationary PQ breaking scenario, which would make the pre-inflationary axion dark matter compatible with high scale inflation over a wide range of model parameters. In the post-inflationary PQ breaking scenario, thermal friction can also significantly change the scaling behavior of axionic strings, and therefore the typical size of the resultant axion miniclusters.

T-duality building blocks for α′ string corrections

T-duality has been shown to constrain the higher-derivative corrections of string theory. We revisit the problem of understanding the T-duality constraints imposed on the ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ corrections using the language of a torsionful connection. We find a convenient way to express the $O(d,d)$ invariants in terms of linear combinations of the metric and B-field for general $d$-dimensional torus compactifications, which we then use to revisit the heterotic and bosonic ten-dimensional string action at order ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. We also comment on the four-point functions for corrections of order ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}3}$ in the type II string.

Electrodynamics under the action of null cosmic strings

A method to study electromagnetic (EM) effects generated by a straight null cosmic string moving in classical EM fields is suggested. The string is shown to induce an additional EM field which can be described as a solution to homogeneous Maxwell equations with initial data set on a null surface, the string event horizon, where the string world-sheet belongs to. The initial data ensure the required holonomy of the string space-time caused by the gravity of the string. This characteristic initial value problem is used to study interaction of plane waves with null strings and perturbations by the strings of the Coulomb fields of electric charges. It is shown that parts of an incoming EM wave crossing the string horizon from different sides of the string are refracted with respect to each other and leave behind the string a wedge-like region of interference. A null string moving near an electric charge results in two effects: it creates a self-force of the charge and induces a pulse of EM radiation traveling away from the charge in the direction close to trajectory of the string.

Chiral fermions on lattice axion strings

I discretize axion string configuration coupled to a Dirac fermion, which in the continuum binds a massless chiral fermion in its core when the winding is one. I show that such a configuration can host one or more chiral fermions when regulated on the lattice. To realize these chiral fermions I introduce Wilson-like terms similar to the Wilson term used in lattice domain wall fermions. The number of chiral fermions on the string jumps as the Wilson-like parameter is varied with respect to the other mass scales in the problem. A one-loop Feynman diagram is used to demonstrate how anomaly inflow works in this lattice regularized theory.

Geometry of nonrelativistic string

The nonrelativistic bosonic string theory in a curved manifold is formulated here using gauging of symmetry approach (Galilean Gauge theory). The corresponding model in flat space has some global symmetries. By localizing these symmetries as per Galilean Gauge theory, the action for the nonrelativistic string interacting with gravity is obtained. A canonical analysis of the model has been performed which demonstrate that the transformations of the basic field variables under gauge transformations in phase space are equivalent to the diffeomorphism parameters by an exact mapping. Thus complete consistency of our results from both Lagrangian and Hamiltonian procedures are established.

The dark universe after reheating in string inflation

We study the production of dark matter and dark radiation after reheating in string inflation models where the Calabi-Yau has a fibred structure and the visible sector lives on D3 branes. We show how the interplay between different physical constraints from inflation, reheating, supersymmetry breaking and dark radiation, leads to distinct predictions for the nature of dark matter. In particular, in Fibre Inflation dark matter can only be primordial black holes or an open string QCD axion with an intermediate scale decay constant since WIMPs are always too heavy and ultralight closed string axions cannot behave as fuzzy dark matter due to strong isocurvature bounds. On the other hand, Kähler moduli inflation can allow for non-thermal WIMP dark matter at the TeV-scale.

Extending the nonrelativistic string AdS coset

Inspired by Lie algebra expansion, we consider an extension of the algebra introduced in A. Fontanella and S. J. van Tongeren [Coset space actions for nonrelativistic strings, J. High Energy Phys. 06 (2022) 80.] for the nonrelativistic string coset action in ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{5}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}^{5}$. We show that the extended algebra admits a nondegenerate inner product which is adjoint invariant under the full extended algebra. Furthermore, we provide a finite-dimensional representation of the extended algebra.

Neumann-Rosochatius system for strings on I-brane

We study rigidly rotating and pulsating strings in the background of a 1+1 dimensional intersection of two orthogonal stacks of fivebranes in type IIB string theory by using the Neumann-Rosochatius (NR) model. Starting with the Polyakov action of the probe fundamental string we show that a generalised ansatz reduce the system into the one dimensional NR model in the presence of flux. The integrable construction of the model is exploited to analyze the rotating and oscillating string solution. We render the large J BMN-type expansion for the energy of rotating string states while the same for the oscillating string has been derived in long string and small angular momenta limit.

Topological steering of light by nematic vortices and analogy to cosmic strings.

Liquid crystals are widely known for their technological uses in displays, electro-optics, photonics and nonlinear optics, but these applications typically rely on defining and switching non-topological spatial patterns of the optical axis. Here, we demonstrate how a liquid crystal's optical axis patterns with singular vortex lines can robustly steer beams of light. External stimuli, including an electric field and light itself, allow us to reconfigure these unusual light-matter interactions. Periodic arrays of vortices obtained by photo-patterning enable the vortex-mediated fission of optical solitons, yielding their lightning-like propagation patterns. Predesigned patterns and spatial trajectories of vortex lines in high-birefringence liquid crystals can steer light into closed loops or even knots. Our vortex lattices might find technological uses in beam steering, telecommunications, virtual reality implementations and anticounterfeiting, as well as possibly offering a model system for probing the interaction of light with defects, including the theoretically predicted, imagination-capturing light-steering action of cosmic strings, elusive defects in cosmology.

Branched SL(2,ℤ) duality

We investigate how SL(2,ℤ) duality is realized in nonrelativistic type IIB superstring theory, which is a self-contained corner of relativistic string theory. Within this corner, we realize manifestly SL(2,ℤ)-invariant (p, q)-string actions. The construction of these actions imposes a branching between strings of opposite charges associated with the two-form fields. The branch point is determined by these charges and the axion background field. Both branches must be incorporated in order to realize the full SL(2,ℤ) group. Besides these string actions, we also construct D-instanton and D3-brane actions that manifestly realize the branched SL(2,ℤ) symmetry.

Axions in string theory — slaying the Hydra of dark radiation

It is widely believed that string theory easily allows for a QCD axion in the cosmologically favored mass range. The required small decay constant, fa ≪ MP, can be implemented by using a large compactification volume. This points to the Large Volume Scenario which in turn makes certain cosmological predictions: first, the closed string axion behaves similarly to a field-theoretic axion in the pre-inflationary scenario, i.e. the initial value can be tuned but one is constrained by isocurvature fluctuations. In addition, the volume represents a long-lived modulus that may lead to an early matter-dominated phase. Finally, the decay of the volume modulus to its own axion tends to overproduce dark radiation. In this paper we aim to carefully analyze the cosmology by studying models that not only allow for a QCD axion but also include inflation. Quite generally, limits on isocurvature fluctuations restrict us to relatively low-scale inflation, which in the present stringy context points to Kähler moduli inflation. As a novel feature we find that the lightest (volume) modulus couples strongly to the Higgs. It hence quickly decays to the SM, thus resolving the original dark radiation problem. This decay is much faster than that of the inflaton, implying that reheating is determined by the inflaton decay. The inflaton could potentially reintroduce a dark radiation problem since it decays to lighter moduli and their axions with equal rates. However, due its mixing with the QCD-saxion, the inflaton has also a direct decay rate to the SM, enhanced by the number of SM gauge bosons. This results in an amount of dark radiation that is consistent with present limits but potentially detectable in future measurements.

Low energy effective theory for axion strings

We consider aspects of the low energy (classical) effective field theory description of global cosmic strings. In the non-relativistic limit, we study the extent to which these are described by the combination of the Nambu-Gotto and Kalb-Ramond actions. While in a formal sense this is the case for infinitely long strings, for more realistic situations, the collective coordinates of the system do not provide a complete description for more than brief intervals; as time evolves it becomes necessary to include low momentum goldstone excitations as well.

Axion induced SUSY breaking and focus point gaugino mediation

We consider a scenario where supersymmetry breaking, its mediation, and the cancellation of the theta parameter of SU(3)C are all caused by a single chiral multiplet. The string axion multiplet is a natural candidate of such a superfield. We show that the scenario provides a convincing basis of focus point gaugino mediation, where the electroweak scale is explained with a moderate tuning among the parameters of the theory.

4d strings at strong coupling

Weakly coupled regions of 4d EFTs coupled to gravity are particularly suitable to describe the backreaction of BPS fundamental axionic strings, dubbed EFT strings, in a local patch of spacetime around their core. We study the extension of these local solutions to global ones, which implies probing regions of strong coupling and provides an estimate of the EFT string tension therein. We conjecture that for the EFT string charge generators such a global extension is always possible and yields a sub-Planckian tension. We substantiate this claim by analysing global solutions of 4d strings made up from NS5-branes wrapping Calabi-Yau threefold divisors in either type IIA or heterotic string theory. We argue that in this case the global, non-perturbative data of the backreaction can be simply encoded in terms of a GLSM describing the compactification, as we demonstrate in explicit examples.

Higher-group symmetries and weak gravity conjecture mixing

In four-dimensional axion electrodynamics, a Chern-Simons coupling of the form θF ^ F leads to a higher-group global symmetry between background gauge fields. At the same time, such a Chern-Simons coupling leads to a mixing between the Weak Gravity Conjectures for the axion and the gauge field, so that the charged excitations of a Weak Gravity Conjecture-satisfying axion string will also satisfy the Weak Gravity Conjecture for the gauge field. In this paper, we argue that these higher-group symmetries and this phenomenon of Weak Gravity Conjecture mixing are related to one another. We show that this relationship extends to supergravities in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 dimensions, so higher-dimensional supergravity is endowed with precisely the structure needed to ensure consistency with emergent higher-group symmetries and with the Weak Gravity Conjecture. We further argue that a similar mixing of Weak Gravity Conjectures can occur in two-term Chern-Simons theories or in theories with kinetic mixing, though the connection with higher-group symmetries here is more tenuous, and accordingly the constraints on effective field theory are not as sharp.

Null-dimensional reduction of M2-brane

In this paper, we perform a general reduction of an M2-brane on a space–time that admits a null Killing vector leading to fundamental string and D2-brane action in Newton–Cartan background.