Prof Andre Lukas

Abstract:

We reduce M theory on a G2 orbifold with codimension four singularities, taking explicitly into account the additional gauge fields at the singularities. As a starting point, we use 11-dimensional supergravity coupled to seven-dimensional super-Yang-Mills theory, as derived in a previous paper. The resulting four-dimensional theory has N=1 supersymmetry with non-Abelian N=4 gauge theory subsectors. We present explicit formulas for the Kähler potential, gauge-kinetic function and superpotential. In the four-dimensional theory, blowing up of the orbifold is described by a Higgs effect induced by continuation along D-flat directions. Using this interpretation, we show that our results are consistent with the corresponding ones obtained for smooth G2 spaces. In addition, we consider the effects of switching on flux and Wilson lines on singular loci of the G2 space, and we discuss the relation to N=4 super-Yang-Mills theory. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

We develop a new and efficient method to systematically analyse four dimensional effective supergravities which descend from flux compactifications. The issue of finding vacua of such systems, both supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric, is mapped into a problem in computational algebraic geometry. Using recent developments in computer algebra, the problem can then be rapidly dealt with in a completely algorithmic fashion. Two main results are (1) a procedure for calculating constraints which the flux parameters must satisfy in these models if any given type of vacuum is to exist; (2) a stepwise process for finding all of the isolated vacua of such systems and their physical properties. We illustrate our discussion with several concrete examples, some of which have eluded conventional methods so far. © SISSA 2006.