Non-supersymmetric dualities beyond the gauge algebra

Abstract

We provide a testing ground for dualities of non-supersymmetric type 0 orientifolds by finding the global forms of their gauge groups. As an example, we consider the Bergman--Gaberdiel proposal for a duality of theories with $\mathfrak{so}(32)\oplus \mathfrak{so}(32)$ gauge algebra. On the orientifold side, we perform a scan of brane states, similar to the case of the D0-brane in type I string theory, and identify spinorial states that constrain the gauge group. Comparing with the bosonic string side, where the gauge group is determined by the internal momentum lattice as in heterotic strings, our analysis shows that the gauge groups match, hence supporting the duality beyond the perturbative string spectrum.

20 pages + appendix; v2: revised version with corrected gauge group for type 0B orientifold