F-theory Compactifications Research Articles

Tools for CICYs in F-theory

We provide a set of tools for analyzing the geometry of elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau manifolds, starting with a description of the total space rather than with a Weierstrass model or a specified type of fiber/base. Such an approach to the subject of F-theory compactification makes certain geometric properties, which are usually hidden, manifest. Specifically, we review how to isolate genus-one fibrations in such geometries and then describe how to find their sections explicitly. This includes a full parameterization of the Mordell-Weil group where non-trivial. We then describe how to analyze the associated Weierstrass models, Jacobians and resolved geometries. We illustrate our discussion with concrete examples which are complete intersections in products of projective spaces (CICYs). The examples presented include cases exhibiting non-abelian symmetries and higher rank Mordell-Weil group. We also make some comments on non-flat fibrations in this context. In a companion paper [1] to this one, these results will be used to analyze the consequences for string dualities of the ubiquity of multiple fibrations in known constructions of Calabi-Yau manifolds.

Multiple fibrations in Calabi-Yau geometry and string dualities

In this work we explore the physics associated to Calabi-Yau (CY) n-folds that can be described as a fibration in more than one way. Beginning with F-theory vacua in various dimensions, we consider limits/dualities with M-theory, type IIA, and heterotic string theories. Our results include many M-/F-theory correspondences in which distinct F-theory vacua - associated to different elliptic fibrations of the same CY n-fold - give rise to the same M-theory limit in one dimension lower. Examples include 5-dimensional correspondences between 6-dimensional theories with Abelian, non-Abelian and superconformal structure, as well as examples of higher rank Mordell-Weil geometries. In addition, in the context of heterotic/F-theory duality, we investigate the role played by multiple K3- and elliptic fibrations in known and novel string dualities in 8-, 6- and 4-dimensional theories. Here we systematically summarize nested fibration structures and comment on the roles they play in T-duality, mirror symmetry, and 4-dimensional compactifications of F-theory with G-flux. This investigation of duality structures is made possible by geometric tools developed in a companion paper [1].

Vector-like pairs and Brill–Noether theory

How likely is it that there are particles in a vector-like pair of representations in low-energy spectrum, when neither symmetry nor anomaly consideration motivates their presence? We address this question in the context of supersymmetric and geometric phase compactification of F-theory and Heterotic dual. Quantisation of the number of generations (or net chiralities in more general term) is also discussed along the way. Self-dual nature of the fourth cohomology of Calabi--Yau fourfolds is essential for the latter issue, while we employ Brill--Noether theory to set upper bounds on the number $\ell$ of vector-like pairs of chiral multiplets in the SU(5) 5+5bar representations. For typical topological choices of geometry for F-theory compactification for SU(5) unification, the range of $0 \leq \ell \lesssim 4$ for perturbative unification is not in immediate conflict with what is already understood about F-theory compactification at this moment.

On mirror symmetry for Calabi-Yau fourfolds with three-form cohomology

We study the action of mirror symmetry on two-dimensional N=(2,2) effective theories obtained by compactifying Type IIA string theory on Calabi-Yau fourfolds. Our focus is on fourfold geometries with non-trivial three-form cohomology. The couplings of the massless zero-modes arising by expanding in these forms depend both on the complex structure deformations and the Kahler structure deformations of the Calabi-Yau fourfold. We argue that two holomorphic functions of the deformation moduli capture this information. These are exchanged under mirror symmetry, which allows us to derive them at the large complex structure and large volume point. We discuss the application of the resulting explicit expression to F-theory compactifications and their weak string coupling limit. In the latter orientifold settings we demonstrate compatibility with mirror symmetry of Calabi-Yau threefolds at large complex structure. As a byproduct we find an interesting relation of no-scale like conditions on Kahler potentials to the existence of chiral and twisted-chiral descriptions in two dimensions.

UV completions for non-critical strings

Compactifications of the physical superstring to two dimensions provide a general template for realizing 2D conformal field theories coupled to worldsheet gravity, i.e. non-critical string theories. Motivated by this observation, in this paper we determine the quasi-topological 8D theory which governs the vacua of 2D N = (0,2) gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) obtained from compactifications of type I and heterotic strings on a Calabi-Yau fourfold. We also determine the quasi-topological 6D theory governing the 2D vacua of intersecting 7-branes in compactifications of F-theory on an elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fivefold, where matter fields and interaction terms localize on lower-dimensional subspaces, i.e. defect operators. To cancel anomalies / cancel tadpoles, these GLSMs must couple to additional chiral sectors, which in some cases do not admit a known description in terms of a UV GLSM. Additionally, we find that constructing an anomaly free spectrum can sometimes break supersymmetry due to spacetime filling anti-branes. We also study various canonical examples such as the standard embedding of heterotic strings on a Calabi-Yau fourfold and F-theoretic "rigid clusters" with no local deformation moduli of the elliptic fibration.

Universal properties of type IIB and F-theory flux compactifications at large complex structure

We consider flux compactifications of type IIB string theory and F-theory in which the respective superpotentials at large complex structure are dominated by cubic or quartic terms in the complex structure moduli. In this limit, the low-energy effective theory for the complex structure and axio-dilaton sector exhibits universal properties that are insensitive to the details of the compactification manifold or the flux configuration. We show that there are no vacua in this region and the spectrum of the Hessian matrix is highly peaked and consists only of three distinct eigenvalues ($0$, $2m_{3/2}^2$ and $8m_{3/2}^2$), independently of the number of moduli. We briefly comment on how the inclusion of K\"ahler moduli affect these findings. Our results generalise those of Brodie & Marsh [1], in which these universal properties were found in a subspace of the large complex structure limit of type IIB compactifications.

Gauge groups and matter fields on some models of F-theory without section

We investigate F-theory on an elliptic Calabi-Yau 4-fold without a section to the fibration. To construct an elliptic Calabi-Yau 4-fold without a section, we introduce families of elliptic K3 surfaces which do not admit a section. A product K3 $\times$ K3, with one of the K3's chosen from these families of elliptic K3 surfaces without a section, realises an elliptic Calabi-Yau 4-fold without a section. We then compactify F-theory on such K3 $\times$ K3's. We determine the gauge groups and matter fields which arise on 7-branes for these models of F-theory compactifications without a section. Since each K3 $\times$ K3 constructed does not have a section, gauge groups arising on 7-branes for F-theory models on constructed K3 $\times$ K3's do not have $U(1)$-part. Interestingly, exceptional gauge group $E_6$ appears for some cases.

Non-Abelian discrete gauge symmetries in F-theory

The presence of non-Abelian discrete gauge symmetries in four-dimensional F-theory compactifications is investigated. Such symmetries are shown to arise from seven-brane configurations in genuine F-theory settings without a weak string coupling description. Gauge fields on mutually non-local seven-branes are argued to gauge both R-R and NS-NS two-form bulk axions. The gauging is completed into a generalisation of the Heisenberg group with either additional seven-brane gauge fields or R-R bulk gauge fields. The former case relies on having seven-brane fluxes, while the latter case requires torsion cohomology and is analysed in detail through the M-theory dual. Remarkably, the M-theory reduction yields an Abelian theory that becomes non-Abelian when translated into the correct duality frame to perform the F-theory limit. The reduction shows that the gauge coupling function depends on the gauged scalars and transforms non-trivially as required for the groups encountered. This field dependence agrees with the expectations for the kinetic mixing of seven-branes and is unchanged if the gaugings are absent.

From M-theory higher curvature terms to α′ corrections in F-theory

We perform a Kaluza–Klein reduction of eleven-dimensional supergravity on a Calabi–Yau fourfold including terms quartic and cubic in the Riemann curvature and determine the induced corrections to the three-dimensional two-derivative N=2 effective action. We focus on the effective Einstein–Hilbert term and the kinetic terms for vectors. Dualizing the vectors into scalars, we derive the resulting Kähler potential and complex coordinates. The classical expressions for the Kähler coordinates are non-trivially modified by terms containing the third Chern form of the background Calabi–Yau fourfold, while the functional form of the Kähler potential is shown to be uncorrected. We omit terms proportional to the non-harmonic part of the third Chern form. For elliptically fibered Calabi–Yau fourfolds the corrections can be uplifted to a four-dimensional F-theory compactification. We argue that also the four-dimensional N=1 Kähler coordinates receive non-trivial corrections. We find a simple expression for the induced corrections for different Abelian and non-Abelian seven-brane configurations by scanning over many Calabi–Yau fourfolds with resolved singularities. The interpretation of this expression leads us to conjecture that the higher-curvature corrections correspond to α′2 corrections that arise from open strings at the self-intersection of seven-branes.

Fluxes in F-theory compactifications on genus-one fibrations

We initiate the construction of gauge fluxes in F-theory compactifications on genus-one fibrations which only have a multi-section as opposed to a section. F-theory on such spaces gives rise to discrete gauge symmetries in the effective action. We generalize the transversality conditions on gauge fluxes known for elliptic fibrations by taking into account the properties of the available multi-section. We test these general conditions by constructing all vertical gauge fluxes in a bisection model with gauge group SU(5) x Z2. The non-abelian anomalies are shown to vanish. These flux solutions are dynamically related to fluxes on a fibration with gauge group SU(5) x U(1) by a conifold transition. Considerations of flux quantization reveal an arithmetic constraint on certain intersection numbers on the base which must necessarily be satisfied in a smooth geometry. Combined with the proposed transversality conditions on the fluxes these conditions are shown to imply cancellation of the discrete Z2 gauge anomalies as required by general consistency considerations.

A Monte Carlo exploration of threefold base geometries for 4d F-theory vacua

We use Monte Carlo methods to explore the set of toric threefold bases that support elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfolds for F-theory compactifications to four dimensions, and study the distribution of geometrically non-Higgsable gauge groups, matter, and quiver structure. We estimate the number of distinct threefold bases in the connected set studied to be $\sim { 10^{48}}$. The distribution of bases peaks around $h^{1, 1}\sim 82$. All bases encountered after "thermalization" have some geometric non-Higgsable structure. We find that the number of non-Higgsable gauge group factors grows roughly linearly in $h^{1,1}$ of the threefold base. Typical bases have $\sim 6$ isolated gauge factors as well as several larger connected clusters of gauge factors with jointly charged matter. Approximately 76% of the bases sampled contain connected two-factor gauge group products of the form SU(3)$\times$SU(2), which may act as the non-Abelian part of the standard model gauge group. SU(3)$\times$SU(2) is the third most common connected two-factor product group, following SU(2)$\times$SU(2) and $G_2\times$SU(2), which arise more frequently.

The F-theory geometry with most flux vacua

Applying the Ashok-Denef-Douglas estimation method to elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfolds suggests that a single elliptic fourfold ${\cal M}_{\rm max}$ gives rise to ${\cal O} (10^{272,000})$ F-theory flux vacua, and that the sum total of the numbers of flux vacua from all other F-theory geometries is suppressed by a relative factor of ${\cal O} (10^{-3000})$. The fourfold ${\cal M}_{\rm max}$ arises from a generic elliptic fibration over a specific toric threefold base $B_{\rm max}$, and gives a geometrically non-Higgsable gauge group of $E_8^9 \times F_4^8 \times (G_2 \times SU(2))^{16}$, of which we expect some factors to be broken by G-flux to smaller groups. It is not possible to tune an $SU(5)$ GUT group on any further divisors in ${\cal M}_{\rm max}$, or even an $SU(2)$ or $SU(3)$, so the standard model gauge group appears to arise in this context only from a broken $E_8$ factor. The results of this paper can either be interpreted as providing a framework for predicting how the standard model arises most naturally in F-theory and the types of dark matter to be found in a typical F-theory compactification, or as a challenge to string theorists to explain why other choices of vacua are not exponentially unlikely compared to F-theory compactifications on ${\cal M}_{\rm max}$.

General U(1)×U(1) F-theory compactifications and beyond: geometry of unHiggsings and novel matter structure

We construct the general form of an F-theory compactification with two U(1) factors based on a general elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau manifold with Mordell-Weil group of rank two. This construction produces broad classes of models with diverse matter spectra, including many that are not realized in earlier F-theory constructions with U(1)xU(1) gauge symmetry. Generic U(1)xU(1) models can be related to a Higgsed non-Abelian model with gauge group SU(2)xSU(2)xSU(3), SU(2)^3xSU(3), or a subgroup thereof. The nonlocal horizontal divisors of the Mordell-Weil group are replaced with local vertical divisors associated with the Cartan generators of non-Abelian gauge groups from Kodaira singularities. We give a global resolution of codimension two singularities of the Abelian model; we identify the full anomaly free matter content, and match it to the unHiggsed non-Abelian model. The non-Abelian Weierstrass model exhibits a new algebraic description of the singularities in the fibration that results in the first explicit construction of matter in the symmetric representation of SU(3). This matter is realized on double point singularities of the discriminant locus. The construction suggests a generalization to U(1)^k factors with k>2, which can be studied by Higgsing theories with larger non-Abelian gauge groups.

Statistics of F-theory flux vacua for particle physics

Supersymmetric flux compactification of F-theory in the geometric phase yields numerous vacua, and provides an ensemble of low-energy effective theories with different symmetry, matter multiplicity and Lagrangian parameters. Theoretical tools have already been developed so that we can study how the statistics of flux vacua depend on the choice of symmetry and some of Lagrangian parameters. In this article, we estimate the fraction of i) vacua that have a U(1) symmetry for spontaneous R-parity violation, and ii) those that realise ideas which achieve hierarchical eigenvalues of the Yukawa matrices. We also learn a lesson that the number of flux vacua is reduced very much when the unbroken $U(1)_Y$ symmetry is obtained from a non-trivial Mordell--Weil group, while it is not when $U(1)_Y$ is in SU(5) unification. It also turns out that vacua with an approximate U(1) symmetry forms a locus of accumulation points of the flux vacua distribution.

ℙ 1 $$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{P}}}^1 $$ -bundle bases and the prevalence of non-Higgsable structure in 4D F-theory models

We explore a large class of F-theory compactifications to four dimensions. We find evidence that gauge groups that cannot be Higgsed without breaking supersymmetry, often accompanied by associated matter fields, are a ubiquitous feature in the landscape of ${\cal N} = 1$ 4D F-theory constructions. In particular, we study 4D F-theory models that arise from compactification on threefold bases that are $\mathbb{P}^1$ bundles over certain toric surfaces. These bases are one natural analogue to the minimal models for base surfaces for 6D F-theory compactifications. Of the roughly 100,000 bases that we study, only 80 are weak Fano bases in which there are no automatic singularities on the associated elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfolds, and 98.3% of the bases have geometrically non-Higgsable gauge factors. The $\mathbb{P}^1$-bundle threefold bases we analyze contain a wide range of distinct surface topologies that support geometrically non-Higgsable clusters. Many of the bases that we consider contain $SU(3)\times SU(2)$ seven-brane clusters for generic values of deformation moduli; we analyze the relative frequency of this combination relative to the other four possible two-factor non-Higgsable product groups, as well as various other features such as geometrically non-Higgsable candidates for dark matter structure and phenomenological ($SU(2)$-charged) Higgs fields.

F-theory and all things rational: surveying U(1) symmetries with rational sections

We study elliptic fibrations for F-theory compactifications realizing 4d and 6d supersymmetric gauge theories with abelian gauge factors. In the fibration these U(1) symmetries are realized in terms of additional rational sections. We obtain a universal characterization of all the possible U(1) charges of matter fields by determining the corresponding codimension two fibers with rational sections. In view of modelling supersymmetric Grand Unified Theories, one of the main examples that we analyze are U(1) symmetries for SU(5) gauge theories with \bar{5} and 10 matter. We use a combination of constraints on the normal bundle of rational curves in Calabi-Yau three- and four-folds, as well as the splitting of rational curves in the fibers in codimension two, to determine the possible configurations of smooth rational sections. This analysis straightforwardly generalizes to multiple U(1)s. We study the flops of such fibers, as well as some of the Yukawa couplings in codimension three. Furthermore, we carry out a universal study of the U(1)-charged GUT singlets, including their KK-charges, and determine all realizations of singlet fibers. By giving vacuum expectation values to these singlets, we propose a systematic way to analyze the Higgsing of U(1)s to discrete gauge symmetries in F-theory.

Non-perturbative selection rules in F-theory

We discuss the structure of charged matter couplings in 4-dimensional F-theory compactifications. Charged matter is known to arise from M2-branes wrapping fibral curves on an elliptic or genus-one fibration Y . If a set of fibral curves satisfies a homological relation in the fibre homology, a coupling involving the states can arise without exponential volume suppression due to a splitting and joining of the M2-branes. If the fibral curves only sum to zero in the integral homology of the full fibration, no such coupling is possible. In this case an M2-instanton wrapping a 3-chain bounded by the fibral matter curves can induce a D-term which is volume suppressed. We elucidate the consequences of this pattern for the appearance of massive U(1) symmetries in F-theory and analyse the structure of discrete selection rules in the coupling sector. The weakly coupled analogue of said M2-instantons is worked out to be given by D1-F1 instantons. The generation of an exponentially suppressed F-term requires the formation of half-BPS bound states of M2 and M5-instantons. This effect and its description in terms of fluxed M5-instantons is discussed in a companion paper.

Special points of inflation in flux compactifications

We study the realization of axion inflation models in the complex structure moduli spaces of Calabi–Yau threefolds and fourfolds. The axions arise close to special points of these moduli spaces that admit discrete monodromy symmetries of infinite order. Examples include the large complex structure point and conifold point, but can be of more general nature. In Type IIB and F-theory compactifications the geometric axions receive a scalar potential from a flux-induced superpotential. We find toy variants of various inflationary potentials including the ones for natural inflation of one or multiple axions, or axion monodromy inflation with polynomial potential. Interesting examples are also given by mirror geometries of torus fibrations with Mordell–Weil group of rank N−1 or an N-section, which admit an axion if N>3.

Three-family particle physics models from global F-theory compactifications

We construct four-dimensional, globally consistent F-theory models with three chiral generations, whose gauge group and matter representations coincide with those of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, the Pati-Salam Model and the Trinification Model. These models result from compactification on toric hypersurface fibrations $X$ with the choice of base $\mathbb{P}^3$. We observe that the F-theory conditions on the $G_4$-flux restrict the number of families to be at least three. We comment on the phenomenology of the models, and for Pati-Salam and Trinification models discuss the Higgsing to the Standard Model. A central point of this work is the construction of globally consistent $G_4$-flux. For this purpose we compute the vertical cohomology $H_V^{(2,2)}(X)$ in each case and solve the conditions imposed by matching the M- and F-theoretical 3D Chern-Simons terms. We explicitly check that the expressions found for the $G_4$-flux allow for a cancelation of D3-brane tadpoles. We also use the integrality of 3D Chern-Simons terms to ensure that our $G_4$-flux solutions are adequately quantized.

F-theory vacua with [formula omitted] gauge symmetry

Discrete gauge groups naturally arise in F-theory compactifications on genus-one fibered Calabi–Yau manifolds. Such geometries appear in families that are parameterized by the Tate–Shafarevich group of the genus-one fibration. While the F-theory compactification on any element of this family gives rise to the same physics, the corresponding M-theory compactifications on these geometries differ and are obtained by a fluxed circle reduction of the former. In this note, we focus on an element of order three in the Tate–Shafarevich group of the general cubic. We discuss how the different M-theory vacua and the associated discrete gauge groups can be obtained by Higgsing of a pair of five-dimensional U(1) symmetries. The Higgs fields arise from vanishing cycles in I2-fibers that appear at certain codimension two loci in the base. We explicitly identify all three curves that give rise to the corresponding Higgs fields. In this analysis the investigation of different resolved phases of the underlying geometry plays a crucial rôle.