Singularities, Gauge Dynamics, and Nonperturbative Superpotentials in String Theory

Abstract

We describe a class of 4d N=1 compactifications of the $SO(32)$ heterotic/type I string theory which are destabilized by nonperturbatively generated superpotentials. In the type I description, the destabilizing superpotential is generated by a one instanton effect or gaugino condensation in a nonperturbative $SU(2)$ gauge group. The dual, heterotic description involves destabilization due to worldsheet instanton or $half$ worldsheet instanton effects in the two cases. A genericity argument suggests that a (global) supersymmetry-breaking model of Intriligator and Thomas might be typical in a class of string theory models. Our analysis also suggests that the tensionless strings which arise in the $E_8\times E_8$ theory in six dimensions when an instanton shrinks to zero size should, in some cases, have supersymmetry breaking dynamics upon further compactification to four dimensions. We provide explicit examples, constructed using F-theory, of the two cases of dynamically generated superpotentials.

16 pages, harvmac big

References in corpus (8)

• Compactifications of F-Theory on Calabi--Yau Threefolds -- II
• Non-Perturbative Superpotentials In String Theory
• Geometric Singularities and Enhanced Gauge Symmetries
• Comments on String Dynamics in Six Dimensions
• Small $E_8$ Instantons and Tensionless Non-critical Strings
• A D=4 N=1 Orbifold of Type I Strings
• The SO(32) Heterotic String on a K3 Surface
• F-Theory on Calabi-Yau Fourfolds

Cited by in corpus (18)

• Vector Bundles And F Theory
• Self-tuning flat domain walls in 5d gravity and string theory
• Open string instantons and superpotentials
• Heterotic / type I duality and D-brane instantons
• Mirror Symmetry, N=1 Superpotentials and Tensionless Strings on Calabi-Yau Four-Folds
• Chirality Changing Phase Transitions in 4d String Vacua
• Phenomenological Aspects of F-theory
• F theory Vacua in Four Dimensions and Toric Threefolds
• Branes and Dynamical Supersymmetry Breaking
• Divisors on elliptic Calabi-Yau 4-folds and the superpotential in F-theory, I
• Duality, Compactification, and $e^{-1/\lambda }$ Effects in the Heterotic String Theory
• Unification of M- and F- Theory Calabi-Yau Fourfold Vacua
• Quantum modified moduli spaces and field dependent gauge couplings
• Lectures on Warped Compactifications and Stringy Brane Constructions
• Singular Yukawa and gauge couplings in d=4 Heterotic String Vacua
• Singularities in d=4, N=1 Heterotic String Vacua
• Non-perturbative N=1 strings from geometric singularities
• Aspects of N=1 String Dynamics