Double Field Theory Research Articles

Unified picture of non-geometric fluxes and T-duality in double field theory via graded symplectic manifolds

We give a systematic derivation of the local expressions of the NS H-flux, geometric F- as well as non-geometric Q- and R-fluxes in terms of bivector β- and two-form B-potentials including vielbeins. They are obtained using a supergeometric method on QP-manifolds by twist of the standard Courant algebroid on the generalized tangent space without flux. Bianchi identities of the fluxes are easily deduced. We extend the discussion to the case of the double space and present a formulation of T-duality in terms of canonical transformations between graded symplectic manifolds. Thus, we find a unified description of geometric as well as non-geometric fluxes and T-duality transformations in double field theory. Finally, the construction is compared to the formerly introduced Poisson Courant algebroid, a Courant algebroid on a Poisson manifold, as a model for R-flux.

Branes in Extended Spacetime: Brane Worldvolume Theory Based on Duality Symmetry.

We propose a novel approach to the brane worldvolume theory based on the geometry of extended field theories: double field theory and exceptional field theory. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by showing that one can reproduce the conventional bosonic string and membrane actions, and the M5-brane action in the weak-field approximation. At a glance, the proposed 5-brane action without approximation looks different from the known M5-brane actions, but it is consistent with the known nonlinear self-duality relation, and it may provide a new formulation of a single M5-brane action. Actions for exotic branes are also discussed.

Doubled strings, negative strings and null waves

We revisit the fundamental string (F1) solution in the doubled formalism. We show that the wave-like solution of double field theory (DFT) corresponding to the F1/pp-wave duality pair is more properly a solution of the DFT action coupled to a doubled sigma model action. The doubled string configuration which sources the pp-wave can be thought of as static gauge with the string oriented in a dual direction. We also discuss the DFT solution corresponding to a vibrating string, carrying both winding and momentum. We further show that the solution dual to the F1 in both time and space can be viewed as a "negative string" solution. Negative branes are closely connected to certain exotic string theories which involve unusual signatures for both spacetime and brane worldvolumes. In order to better understand this from the doubled point of view, we construct a variant of DFT suitable for describing theories in which the fundamental string has a Euclidean worldsheet, for which T-dualities appear to change the spacetime signature.

Non-geometric branes are DFT monopoles

The double field theory monopole solution by Berman and Rudolph is shown to reproduce non-geometric backgrounds with non-vanishing Q- and R-flux upon an appropriate choice of physical and dual coordinates. The obtained backgrounds depend non-trivially on dual coordinates and have only trivial monodromies. Upon smearing the solutions along the dual coordinates one reproduces the known $5^2_2$ solution for the Q-brane and co-dimension 1 solution for the R-brane. The T-duality invariant magnetic charge is explicitly calculated for all these backgrounds and is found to be equal to the magnetic charge of (unsmeared) NS5-brane.

Towards a world‐sheet description of doubled geometry in string theory

Starting from a sigma‐model for a doubled target‐space geometry, we show that the number of target‐space dimensions can be reduced by half through a gauging procedure. We apply this formalism to a class of backgrounds relevant for double field theory, and illustrate how choosing different gaugings leads to string‐theory configurations T‐dual to each other. We furthermore discuss that given a conformal doubled theory, the reduced theories are conformal as well. As an example we consider the three‐dimensional WZW model and show that the only possible reduced backgrounds are the cigar and trumpet CFTs in two dimensions, which are indeed T‐dual to each other.

Hidden gauge structure of supersymmetric free differential algebras

The aim of this paper is to clarify the role of the nilpotent fermionic generator Q' introduced in Ref. [3] and appearing in the hidden supergroup underlying the free differential algebra (FDA) of D=11 supergravity. We give a physical explanation of its role by looking at the gauge properties of the theory. We find that its presence is necessary, in order that the extra 1-forms of the hidden supergroup give rise to the correct gauge transformations of the p-forms of the FDA. This interpretation is actually valid for any supergravity containing antisymmetric tensor fields, and any supersymmetric FDA can always be traded for a hidden Lie superalgebra containing extra fermionic nilpotent generators. As an interesting example we construct the hidden superalgebra associated with the FDA of N=2, D=7 supergravity. In this case we are able to parametrize the mutually non local 2- and 3-form B^(2) and B^(3) in terms of hidden 1-forms and find that supersymmetry and gauge invariance require in general the presence of two nilpotent fermionic generators in the hidden algebra. We propose that our approach, where all the invariances of the FDA are expressed as Lie derivatives of the $p$-forms in the hidden supergroup manifold, could be an appropriate framework to discuss theories defined in enlarged versions of superspace recently considered in the literature, such us double field theory and its generalizations.

On the curious spectrum of duality invariant higher-derivative gravity

We analyze the spectrum of the exactly duality and gauge invariant higher-derivative double field theory. While this theory is based on a chiral CFT and does not correspond to a standard string theory, our analysis illuminates a number of issues central in string theory. The full quadratic action is rewritten as a two-derivative theory with additional fields. This allows for a simple analysis of the spectrum, which contains two massive spin-2 ghosts and massive scalars, in addition to the massless fields. Moreover, in this formulation, the massless or tensionless limit $\alpha'\rightarrow \infty$ is non-singular and leads to an enhanced gauge symmetry. We show that the massive modes can be integrated out exactly at the quadratic level, leading to an infinite series of higher-derivative corrections. Finally, we present a ghost-free massive extension of linearized double field theory, which employs a novel mass term for the dilaton and metric.

A gauge theory of gravity in curved phase-spaces

After a cursory introduction of the basic ideas behind Born’s Reciprocal Relativity theory, the geometry of the cotangent bundle of spacetime is studied via the introduction of nonlinear connections associated with certain nonholonomic modifications of Riemann–Cartan gravity within the context of Finsler geometry. A novel gauge theory of gravity in the [Formula: see text] cotangent bundle [Formula: see text] of spacetime is explicitly constructed and based on the gauge group [Formula: see text] which acts on the tangent space to the cotangent bundle [Formula: see text] at each point [Formula: see text]. Several gravitational actions involving curvature and torsion tensors and associated with the geometry of curved phase-spaces are presented. We conclude with a brief discussion of the field equations, the geometrization of matter, quantum field theory (QFT) in accelerated frames, T-duality, double field theory, and generalized geometry.

Higher spin double field theory: a proposal

We construct a double field theory coupled to the fields present in Vasiliev's equations. Employing the "semi-covariant" differential geometry, we spell a functional in which each term is completely covariant with respect to $\mathbf{O}(4,4)$ T-duality, doubled diffeomorphisms, $\mathbf{Spin}(1,3)$ local Lorentz symmetry and, separately, $\mathbf{HS}(4)$ higher spin gauge symmetry. We identify a minimal set of BPS-like conditions whose solutions automatically satisfy the full Euler-Lagrange equations. As such a solution, we derive a linear dilaton vacuum. With extra algebraic constraints further supplemented, the BPS-like conditions reduce to the bosonic Vasiliev equations.

Towards a theory of nonassociative gravity

Violating the strong constraint of double field theory, non-geometric fluxes were argued to give rise to noncommutative/nonassociative structures. We derive in a rather pedestrian physicist way a differential geometry on the simplest nonassociative (phase-)space arising for a constant non-geometric R-flux. This provides a complementary presentation to the quasi-Hopf representation categorial one delivered by Barnes, Schenkel, Szabo in arXiv:1409.6331+1507.02792. As there, the notions of tensors, covariant derivative, torsion and curvature find a star-generalization. We continue the construction with the introduction of a star-metric and its star-inverse where, due to the nonassociativity, we encounter major deviations from the familiar structure. Comments on the Levi-Civita connection, a star-Einstein-Hilbert action and the relation to string theory are included, as well.

Dual double field theory

We present the dual formulation of double field theory at the linearized level. This is a classically equivalent theory describing the duals of the dilaton, the Kalb-Ramond field and the graviton in a T-duality or O(D,D) covariant way. In agreement with previous proposals, the resulting theory encodes fields in mixed Young-tableau representations, combining them into an antisymmetric 4-tensor under O(D,D). In contrast to previous proposals, the theory also requires an antisymmetric 2-tensor and a singlet, which are not all pure gauge. The need for these additional fields is analogous to a similar phenomenon for "exotic" dualizations, and we clarify this by comparing with the dualizations of the component fields. We close with some speculative remarks on the significance of these observations for the full non-linear theory yet to be constructed.

Double supergeometry

A geometry of superspace corresponding to double field theory is developed, with type II supergravity in D=10 as the main example. The formalism is based on an orthosymplectic extension OSp(d,d|2s) of the continuous T-duality group. Covariance under generalised super-diffeomorphisms is manifest. Ordinary superspace is obtained as a solution of the orthosymplectic section condition. A systematic study of curved superspace Bianchi identities is performed, and a relation to a double pure spinor superfield cohomology is established. A Ramond-Ramond superfield is constructed as an infinite-dimensional orthosymplectic spinor. Such objects in minimal orbits under the OSp supergroup ("pure spinors") define super-sections.

Towards weakly constrained double field theory

We show that it is possible to construct a well-defined effective field theory incorporating string winding modes without using strong constraint in double field theory. We show that X-ray (Radon) transform on a torus is well-suited for describing weakly constrained double fields, and any weakly constrained fields are represented as a sum of strongly constrained fields. Using inverse X-ray transform we define a novel binary operation which is compatible with the level matching constraint. Based on this formalism, we construct a consistent gauge transform and gauge invariant action without using strong constraint. We then discuss the relation of our result to the closed string field theory. Our construction suggests that there exists an effective field theory description for massless sector of closed string field theory on a torus in an associative truncation.

Finite gauge transformations and geometry in extended field theory

The recently derived expressions for finite gauge transformations in double field theory with duality group O(d,d) are generalised to give expressions for finite gauge transformations for extended field theories with duality group SL(5,R), SO(5,5) and E6. The generalised metrics are discussed.

Perturbative quantum gravity in double field theory

We study perturbative general relativity with a two-form and a dilaton using the double field theory formulation which features explicit index factorisation at the Lagrangian level. Explicit checks to known tree level results are performed. In a natural covariant gauge a ghost-like scalar which contributes even at tree level is shown to decouple consistently as required by perturbative unitarity. In addition, a lightcone gauge is explored which bypasses the problem altogether. Using this gauge to study BCFW on-shell recursion, we can show that most of the D-dimensional tree level S-matrix of the theory, including all pure graviton scattering amplitudes, is reproduced by the double field theory. More generally, we argue that the integrand may be reconstructed from its single cuts and provide limited evidence for off-shell cancellations in the Feynman graphs. As a straightforward application of the developed technology double field theory-like expressions for four field string corrections are derived.

Conserved currents of double field theory

We find the conserved current associated to invariance under generalised diffeomorphisms in double field theory. This can be used to define a generalised Komar integral. We comment on its applications to solutions, in particular to the fundamental string/pp-wave. We also discuss the current in the context of Scherk-Schwarz compactifications. We calculate the current for both the original double field theory action, corresponding to the NSNS sector alone, and for the RR sector.

T-duality constraints on higher derivatives revisited

We ask to what extent are the higher-derivative corrections of string theory constrained by T-duality. The seminal early work by Meissner tests T-duality by reduction to one dimension using a distinguished choice of field variables in which the bosonic string action takes a Gauss-Bonnet-type form. By analyzing all field redefinitions that may or may not be duality covariant and may or may not be gauge covariant we extend the procedure to test T-duality starting from an action expressed in arbitrary field variables. We illustrate the method by showing that it determines uniquely the first-order $\alpha'$ corrections of the bosonic string, up to terms that vanish in one dimension. We also use the method to glean information about the ${\cal O}(\alpha'^2)$ corrections in the double field theory with Green-Schwarz deformation.

Generalized higher gauge theory

We study a generalization of higher gauge theory which makes use of generalized geometry and seems to be closely related to double field theory. The local kinematical data of this theory is captured by morphisms of graded manifolds between the canonical exact Courant Lie 2-algebroid $TM\oplus T^*M$ over some manifold $M$ and a semistrict gauge Lie 2-algebra. We discuss generalized curvatures and their infinitesimal gauge transformations. Finite gauge transformation as well as global kinematical data are then obtained from principal 2-bundles over 2-spaces. As dynamical principle, we consider first the canonical Chern-Simons action for such a gauge theory. We then show that a previously proposed 3-Lie algebra model for the six-dimensional (2,0) theory is very naturally interpreted as a generalized higher gauge theory.

Double Semions in Arbitrary Dimension

We present a generalization of the double semion topological quantum field theory to higher dimensions, as a theory of $d-1$ dimensional surfaces in a $d$ dimensional ambient space. We construct a local Hamiltonian which is a sum of commuting projectors and analyze the excitations and the ground state degeneracy. Defining a consistent set of local rules requires the sign structure of the ground state wavefunction to depend not just on the number of disconnected surfaces, but also upon their higher Betti numbers through the semicharacteristic. For odd $d$ the theory is related to the toric code by a local unitary transformation, but for even $d$ the dimension of the space of zero energy ground states is in general different from the toric code and for even $d>2$ it is also in general different from that of the twisted $Z_2$ Dijkgraaf-Witten model.

Double metric, generalized metric, andα′-deformed double field theory

We relate the unconstrained `double metric' of the `$\alpha'$-geometry' formulation of double field theory to the constrained generalized metric encoding the spacetime metric and b-field. This is achieved by integrating out auxiliary field components of the double metric in an iterative procedure that induces an infinite number of higher-derivative corrections. As an application we prove that, to first order in $\alpha'$ and to all orders in fields, the deformed gauge transformations are Green-Schwarz-deformed diffeomorphisms. We also prove that to first order in $\alpha'$ the spacetime action encodes precisely the Green-Schwarz deformation with Chern-Simons forms based on the torsionless gravitational connection. This seems to be in tension with suggestions in the literature that T-duality requires a torsionful connection, but we explain that these assertions are ambiguous since actions that use different connections are related by field redefinitions.