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We study the existence of a bosonic m-theory extension of the 10D and 26D closed bosonic string in terms of Kac-Moody algebras. We argue that K11 and K27 are symmetries which protect the coefficients of the closed bosonic string in 10 and 26 dimensions. Therefore the Susskind-Horowitz bosonic m-theory obtained by compactification on S1/Z2, which does not produce the correct coefficients, must be replaced by something that preserves K11 and K27. We argue that in 11D, a non-trivial bosonic m-theory should be considered as (the bosonic sector of) m-theory, and in 27D that no obvious bosonic m-theory exists., Comment: 6 pages

We study higher-derivative corrections to the graviton scattering amplitude in M-theory, via the stress tensor correlator of 3d $\mathcal{N} =8$ $\text{U}(N)_k\times \text{U}(N)_{-k}$ ABJM theory (dual to graviton scattering in M-theory on $\text{AdS}_4\times S^7/\mathbb{Z}_k$). We use the conformal bootstrap combined with an integral constraint derived from supersymmetric localization in order to constrain semishort OPE coefficients appearing in the stress tensor correlator. We obtain islands that are significantly more precise than those in previous studies that did not use the integral constraint. Using these islands, we can estimate the powers and coefficients in a large central charge expansion. This allows us to accurately read off the N$^3$LO contribution, from the protected $D^6 R^4$ correction, and also estimate the N$^4$LO contribution, from the unprotected $D^8 R^4$ correction., Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures

We revisit 6d (2,0) SCFTs of type $D_N$ and their realization in M-theory, focusing on absolute variants of these theories and on their global finite 0- and 2-form symmetries. We derive the 7d SymTFT capturing these global symmetries from M-theory, both from the point of view of the low-energy supergravity action on $AdS_7\times \mathbb{RP}^4$ and from M2- and M5-branes giving rise to its topological operators. Along the way, results by Gukov, Hsin, and Pei are extended by keeping track of an additional 7d $\mathbb Z_2$ gauge field, associated to the outer automorphism of the $D_N$ algebra. In particular, we find an interplay of non-invertible symmetries and mixed anomalies for absolute 6d (2,0) $D_{4k}$ SCFTs with $k\ge 1$. We highlight several subtle points related to the non-orientability of $\mathbb{RP}^4$, the half-integral $G_4$-flux that threads it, and the non-commutativity of fluxes. All these also play an essential role in a holographic derivation of the anomaly polynomial of 6d (2,0) $D_N$ SCFTs., Comment: 51 pages plus appendices

Combining toric geometry techniques and $\mathcal{N}=2$ supergravity formalisms, we study 5D black branes in the M-theory compactification on a four parameter Calabi-Yau threefold. First, we investigate 5D BPS and non-BPS black holes that are derived by wrapping M2-branes on non-holomorphic 2-cycles in such a toric Calabi-Yau manifold. Concretely, we provide the allowed electric charge regions of BPS and non-BPS black hole states that are obtained by surrounding M2-branes over appropriate 2-cycles. Then, we approach the black hole thermodynamic behavior by computing the entropy and the temperature. By evaluating the recombination factor, we examine the stability of such non-BPS black holes. Precisely, we find stable and unstable solutions depending on the allowed electric charge regions. After that, we study 5D black strings by wrapping M5-branes on non-holomorphic dual 4-cycles in the proposed toric Calabi-Yau manifold by focusing on the stability behaviors. In the allowed regions of the moduli space of the non-BPS stringy solutions, we find stable and unstable states depending on the magnetic charge values., Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures. Authors are listed in alphabetical order, corrections to typos

In this work, we present a new geometric transition in non-compact Calabi-Yau 4-folds, specifically for the cone over the 7d Sasaki-Einstein manifold $Q^{\scriptscriptstyle(1,1,1)}/\mathbb{Z}_{N}$. We discover a new smoothing of such Calabi-Yau 4-fold singularity via a partial resolution+deformation, which can be interpreted as a confined phase for a 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ $SU(N)$ gauge theory. The confining strings are realized as M2-branes wrapping the torsional 1-cycles in this new geometric phase. We have also computed the generalized global symmetries and SymTFT action using the link topology and intersection numbers of the resolved Calabi-Yau 4-fold., Comment: 46 pages

We explore $(-1)$-form symmetries within the framework of geometric engineering in M-theory. By constructing the Symmetry Topological Field Theory (SymTFT) for selected 5d $\mathcal{N}=1$, 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ and 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories, we formalize the geometric origin of these symmetries and compute the mixed anomaly polynomials involving $(-1)$-form and higher-form symmetries. Our findings consistently reveal both discrete and continuous $(-1)$-form symmetries, aligning with established field theory results, while also uncovering new $(-1)$-form symmetry factors and structural insights. In particular, we study the SymTFT of 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories from M-theory on a class of spaces with $G_2$ holonomy, and obtain properties such as modified instanton sums and 4-group structures observed in other 4d gauge theories. Additionally, we systematically construct symmetry operators for continuous abelian symmetries, refining existing proposals, and providing an M-theory origin for them., Comment: 96 pages

Super $L_\infty$-algebras unify extended super-symmetry with rational classifying spaces for higher flux densities: The super-invariant super-fluxes which control super $p$-branes and their supergravity target super-spaces are, together with their (non-linear) Bianchi identities, neatly encoded in (non-abelian) super-$L_\infty$ cocycles. These are the rational shadows of flux-quantization laws (in ordinary cohomology, K-theory, Cohomotopy, iterated K-theory, etc). We first review, in streamlined form while filling some previous gaps, double-dimensional reduction/oxidation and 10D superspace T-duality along higher-dimensional super-tori. We do so tangent super-space wise, by viewing it as an instance of adjunctions (dualities) between super-$L_\infty$-extensions and -cyclifications, applied to the avatar super-flux densities of 10D supergravity. In particular, this yields a derivation, at the rational level, of the traditional laws of "topological T-duality" from the super-$L_\infty$ structure of type II superspace. At this level, we also discuss a higher categorical analog of T-duality involving M-branes. Then, by considering super-space T-duality along all 1+9 spacetime dimensions while retaining the 11th dimension as in F-theory, we find the M-algebra appearing as the complete brane-charge extension of the fully T-doubled/correspondence super-spacetime. On this backdrop, we recognize the "decomposed" M-theory 3-form on the "hidden M-algebra" as an M-theoretic lift of the Poincar\'e super 2-form that controls superspace T-duality as the integral kernel of the super Fourier-Mukai transform. This provides the super-space structure of an M-theory lift of the doubled/correspondence space geometry, which controls T-duality., Comment: 90 pages, some figures

We study twisted M-theory in a general conifold background, and describe it in terms of a 5d non-commutative Chern-Simons-matter theory, which is equivalent to 5d non-commutative Chern-Simons theory for a supergroup. In an equivalent description as twisted type IIA string theory, the matter degrees of freedom arise from topological strings stretched between stacks of D6-branes. In order to study 5d Chern-Simons-matter theories with a boundary, we first construct and investigate the properties of a 4d non-commutative gauged chiral WZW model. We prove the gauge invariant coupling of this 4d theory to the bulk 5d Chern-Simons theory defined on $\mathbb{R}_+ \times \mathbb{C}^2 $, and further generalize our results to the 5d Chern-Simons-matter theory. We also investigate the toroidal current algebra of the 4d chiral WZW model that arises from radial quantization along one of the complex planes. Finally, we show that a gauged non-commutative chiral 4d WZW model arises from the partition function for quantum 5d non-commutative Chern-Simons theory with boundaries in the BV-BFV formalism, and further generalize this 5d-4d correspondence to the 5d non-commutative Chern-Simons-matter theory for the case of adjoint matter., Comment: 39 pages, 2 figures. Further clarifications, typos corrected

Thus far, the literature regarding holographic complexity almost entirely focuses on the context of $(d+1)$-dimensional anti-de Sitter spacetime rather than the full higher-dimensional gauge/gravity duality in string or M theory. We provide a framework to study holographic complexity in the full duality, explaining the relation of complexity functionals in the higher-dimensional theory to those in anti-de Sitter spacetime and when complexity functionals can apply universally to gauge/gravity dualities rather than a specific dual pair. We also show that gauge invariance constrains boundary terms for complexity functionals, using the ten- and eleven-dimensional supergravity actions as key examples. Finally, we propose new universal complexity functionals following these considerations, including a revised gauge-invariant action complexity., Comment: 6 pp

It has recently been realised that there are supersymmetry-preserving non-relativistic decoupling limits associated with each half-BPS object in String Theory and M-Theory. We argue that, given a $p$-brane and a $q$-brane for which there is a quarter-BPS intersecting configuration, the $p$-brane decoupling limit of the $q$-brane's worldvolume QFT is necessarily equal to the reciprocal $q$-brane decoupling limit of the $p$-brane's worldvolume theory. This is explicitly shown for the cases of the D0-D4 and D1-D3 systems. As an application of this idea, we use the reciprocal pair of limits in the M2-M5 system to describe the dynamics of interacting self-dual strings in the six-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(2,0)$ theory. We also discuss the limits of the dual gravitational theories and, using symmetries, argue that the duality is maintained by the limits., Comment: 62 pages

M-theory geometric engineering on non-compact Calabi-Yau fourfolds (CY4) produces 3d theories with 4 supercharges. Carefully establishing a dictionary between the geometry of the CY4 and the QFT in the transverse directions remains, to a large extent, an unresolved challenge, complicated by subtleties arising from M5-brane instanton corrections. Such difficulties can be circumvented in the restricted and yet controlled setting offered by CY4 with terminal singularities, as they do not admit crepant resolutions with compact exceptional divisors. After a general review of their properties and partial classifications, we focus on a subclass of terminal CY4 constructed as deformed Du Val singularities, that admit crepant resolutions with at most exceptional 2-cycles. We extract the corresponding 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric theory descendant in an unambiguous fashion, as the absence of compact 4-cycles leaves no room for a choice of background $G_4$ flux. These turn out to be theories of chiral multiplets with no gauge group and at most abelian flavor factors: we argue that they serve as the simplest building blocks to substantiate a rigorous CY4/3d QFT geometric engineering mapping.

Drinfel'd double of Lie bialgebroids plays an important role in T-duality of string theories. In the presence of $H$ and $R$ fluxes, Lie bialgebroids should be extended to proto Lie bialgebroids. For both cases, the pair is given by two dual vector bundles, and the Drinfel'd double yields a Courant algebroid. However for U-duality, more complicated direct sum decompositions that are not described by dual vector bundles appear. In a previous work, we extended the notion of a Lie bialgebroid for vector bundles that are not necessarily dual. We achieved this by introducing a framework of calculus on algebroids and examining compatibility conditions for various algebroid properties in this framework. Here our aim is two-fold: extending our work on bialgebroids to include both $H$- and $R$-twists, and generalizing proto Lie bialgebroids to pairs of arbitrary vector bundles. To this end, we analyze various algebroid axioms and derive twisted compatibility conditions in the presence of twists. We introduce the notion of proto bialgebroids and their Drinfel'd doubles, where the former generalizes both bialgebroids and proto Lie bialgebroids. We also examine the most general form of vector bundle automorphisms of the double, related to twist matrices, that generate a new bracket from a given one. We analyze various examples from both physics and mathematics literatures in our framework., Comment: 44 pages

This work provides evidence for the existence of supersymmetric and scale-separated AdS$_4$ vacua in M-theory of the Freund-Rubin type. The internal space has weak $G_2$-holonomy, which is obtained from the lift of AdS vacua in massless type IIA on a specific SU(3)-structure with O6-planes. Such lifts require a local treatment of the O6-planes, therefore going beyond the usual smeared approximation. The setup is analysed by solving the pure spinor equations and the Bianchi identities perturbatively in a small backreaction parameter, preserving supersymmetry manifestly and therefore extending on previous work. This approach is applicable to lifts of other type IIA vacua on half-flat SU(3)-structures, including those with D6-brane sources. The resulting 7d manifold presented here exhibits singularities originating from the O6-planes loci in type IIA theory. Additionally, scale separation in M-theory arises from a decoupling between the Ricci curvature and the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian of the proposed 7d manifold, thereby challenging certain conjectures in the swampland program., Comment: 22 pages + appendices; v2: Minor changes, accepted version in PRD

We investigate the interior of the moduli space of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories of gravity arising from compactifications of the $E_8\times E_8$ heterotic string on Calabi-Yau threefolds. By studying the threshold corrections to the coupling of the heterotic gauge groups, we infer the existence of a strong coupling singularity for one of the perturbative heterotic gauge groups, which effectively yields an additional finite distance boundary of the classical scalar field space. In heterotic M-theory, this boundary maps to a domain wall solution for which the gauge coupling and the warp factor on one of the Horava-Witten 9-branes diverge, thus highlighting the gravitational origin of the classical strong coupling singularity. The divergence of the warp factor is, however, regulated once non-perturbative effects are taken into account, as we demonstrate by studying the instanton corrections to the 5d BPS domain wall equations. This regularization implies that the classical strong coupling boundary of the scalar field 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ heterotic/M-theory is resolved, indicating that, at the quantum level, the field space can be extended beyond this classical boundary., Comment: v3: fixed typos, published version; v2: fixed errors and updated discussion in section 4; 35 pages

In this work we study the analogues of R-matrices that arise in 5d non-commutative topological-holomorphic Chern-Simons theory, which is known to describe twisted M-theory. We first study the intersections of line and surface operators in 5d Chern-Simons theory, which correspond to M2- and M5-branes, respectively. A Feynman diagram computation of the correlation function of this configuration furnishes an expression reminiscent of an R-matrix derivable from 4d Chern-Simons theory. We explain how this object is related to a Miura operator that is known to realize (matrix-extended) $W_{\infty}$-algebras. For 5d Chern-Simons theory with nonabelian gauge group, we then perform a Feynman diagram computation of coproducts for deformed double current algebras and matrix-extended $W_{\infty}$-algebras from fusions of M2-branes, M5-branes, and M2-M5 intersections., Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures

We show that the full non-perturbative topological string free energy, in the holomorphic limit, follows simply from a target space integrating out calculation of M2 states. Qualitatively, this is the same as the calculation performed by Gopakumar and Vafa, but we find that the final expression must be modified due to a subtlety with poles induced by non-perturbative physics. Accounting for this modification leads to a Gopakumar-Vafa-like formula, which we propose as the exact formulation of the integrating out procedure. Evaluating the formula necessarily requires a contour integral in a complexified Schwinger proper time parameter. We show that this evaluation yields the full non-perturbative topological string free energy, and can be applied to a compact, or non-compact, Calabi-Yau threefold. The explicit formula presented holds as long as the two-cycles wrapped by the branes are rigid and smooth, but the methodology can be used to study also more general Calabi-Yau geometries., Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. v2: Added references, minor corrections, and an assumption of restriction to smooth and rigid cycles

Among the recent extensions to standard General Relativity, $f(R,\mathcal{L}_m)$ gravity has risen an interest given the possibility of coupling between geometry and matter. We examine the simplest model with non-minimal coupling in the context of cosmology. We pay special attention to the question of how far this model could reproduce the observational fact of our universe., Comment: 28 pages, 11 figures

Microscopic black hole entropy calculations in string theory usually proceeds through identifying them as wrapped strings in one higher dimension. For M-theory on elliptic Calabi-Yau threefolds this proceeds via its relation to F-theory in one higher dimension. Here we show how this method can be extended to M-theory on non-elliptic Calabi-Yau threefolds such as the quintic via conifold transition to elliptic threefolds. This leads to the computation of the black hole entropy through elliptic genera of the strings. However the Cardy formula for the computation of the black hole entropy of these strings fails because the relevant momentum excitations on the string are much smaller than the central charge of the strings. We show how the black hole attractor entropy formula leads to predicting corrections to the Cardy formula in this regime., Comment: 16 pages

In this work, we reconsider the study of 5D black branes in M-theory compactifications by means of $\mathcal{N}=2$ supergravity formalism. Precisely, we provide a model relaying on a three parameter Calabi-Yau manifold in the $\mathbb{P}^{1}\times\mathbb{P}^{1}\times\mathbb{P}^{2}$ projective space factorization, referred to as economical model. First, we investigate the stability of 5D BPS and non-BPS black holes obtained from wrapped M2-branes on non-holomorphic two-cycles in such a Calabi-Yau manifold. Then, we approach the stability of 5D black strings derived from wrapped M5-branes on non-holomorphic four-cycles. Among others, we find various stable and unstable black brane solutions depending on the charge regions of the involved moduli space., Comment: Comments: Latex, 27 pages, 13 figures, 5 tables. Added references and fixed typos. Authors in alphabetical order

Using $N = 2$ supergravity formalism, we investigate certain behaviors of five dimensional black objects from the compactification of M-theory on a Calabi-Yau three-fold. The manifold has been constructed as the intersection of two homogeneous polynomials of degrees $ (\omega+2,1)$ and $ (2,1) $ in a product of two weighted projective spaces given by $ \mathbb{WP}^{4}(\omega,1,1,1,1) \times\mathbb{P}^{1}$. First, we determine the allowed electric charge regions of the BPS and non BPS black holes obtained by wrapping M2-branes on appropriate two cycles in such a proposed Calabi-Yau three-fold. After that, we calculate the entropy of these solutions which takes a maximal value corresponding to $\omega=1$ defining the ordinary projective space $\mathbb{P}^{4}$. For generic values of $\omega$, we show that the non BPS states are unstable. Then, we conduct a similar study of five dimensional black strings. Concerning the allowed magnetic charge regions of the BPS and non BPS black stringy solutions derived from M5-branes on dual divisors, we calculate the tension taking a minimal value for $\mathbb{P}^{4}$. By determining the recombination factor, we show that the non-BPS black string states are stable in the allowed regions in the magnetic charge space., Comment: 15 Pages, 6 Figures, Latex. To appear in Communications in Theoretical Physics (2024)

The Asymptotic WGC has been proposed as a special case of the tower WGC that probes infinite distances in the moduli space corresponding to weakly coupled gauge regimes. The conjecture has been studied in M-theory on Calabi-Yau threefold (CY3) with finite volume inducing a 5D effective QFT. In this paper, we extend the scope of the previous study to encompass lower dimensions, particularly we generalise the obtained 5D asymptotic WGC to the effective field theory $EFT_{3D}$ coupled to 3D gravity that descends from M-theory compactified on Calabi-Yau fourfold with an emphasis on K3 x K3. We find that the CY4 has three fibration structures labelled as line Type-$T^2$, surface Type-$S$ and bulk Type-$V$. The emergent $EFT_{3D}$ is shown to have 2+2 towers of states occupied by light and heavy BPS as well as non BPS particles. To ensure the viability of the 3D Asymptotic WGC, we give explicit calculations to thoroughly test the swampland constraint for both the weakly and strongly gauge coupled regimes. Additional aspects, including the gauge symmetry breaking and duality symmetry are also investigated.

We recently described a protocol for computing the potential energy in heterotic M-theory for the dilaton, complex structure and K\"ahler moduli. This included the leading order non-perturbative contributions to the complex structure, gaugino condensation and worldsheet instantons assuming a hidden sector that contains an anomalous U(1) structure group embedded in $E_8$. In this paper, we elucidate, in detail, the mathematical and computational methods required to utilize this protocol. These methods are then applied to a realistic heterotic M-theory model, the $B-L$ MSSM, whose observable sector is consistent with all particle physics requirements. Within this context, it is shown that the dilaton and universal moduli can be completely stabilized at values compatible with every phenomenological and mathematical constraint -- as well as with $\Lambda$CDM cosmology. We also show that the heterotic M-theory vacua are consistent with all well-supported Swampland conjectures based on considerations of string theory and quantum gravity, and we discuss the implications of dark energy theorems for compactified theories., Comment: 42 pages, 6 figures

We study 3D $N=2$ supersymmetric field theories geometrically engineered from M-theory on non-compact Calabi-Yau fourfolds (CY4). We establish a detailed dictionary between the geometry and topology of non-compact CY4 and the physics of 3D $N=2$ theories in three different regimes. The first one is the Coulomb branch description when the CY4 is smooth. The second one is non-abelian gauge theory when the CY4 has a degenerate $\mathbb{P}^1$-fibration structure. The third one is the strongly coupled SCFT from a CY4 singularity. We find interesting flavor symmetry enhancements in the singular limit of CY4, as well as an interesting and previously unexplored phenomenon in 3D, termed ``flavor symmetry duality''. Many examples are analyzed with an emphasis on toric CY4s and $\mathbb{C}^4$ orbifolds with crepant resolutions. We develop a new brane box method to study the physics of Coulomb branch of 3D $N=2$ theory that admits a toric construction. Via IIB/M-theory duality we find that the brane box diagram living in $\mathbb{R}^3$ can be physically realized as a configuration of intersecting 4-branes which are extended objects in 8D maximal supersymmetric theory, which is shown to be consistent via various chains of dualities. The rank, effective gauge coupling and certain hints to flavor symmetry enhancement of the 3D $N=2$ theory are read off from the brane box and cross-checked against the results obtained from geometric engineering. The exotic branes in 8D maximal supersymmetric theory and the 4-string junctions thereof are shown to play a crucial role in the construction of the brane box.

We analyze correlation functions of $SU(k) \times SU(2)_F$ flavor currents in a family of three-dimensional ${\cal N}=4$ superconformal field theories, combining analytic bootstrap methods with input from supersymmetric localization. Via holographic duality, we extract gluon and graviton scattering amplitudes of M-theory on ${\rm AdS}_4\times S^7/\mathbb{Z}_k$ which contains a $\mathbb{C}^2/\mathbb{Z}_{k}$ orbifold singularity. From these results, we derive aspects of the effective description of M-theory on the orbifold singularity beyond its leading low energy limit. We also determine a threshold correction to the holographic correlator from the combined contribution of two-loop gluon and tree-level bulk graviton exchange., Comment: 44 pages plus appendices, v2 typos corrected

A universal structure of world-volume theories of half-BPS branes in string and M-theory in terms of exceptional generalised geometry is observed. Previous constructions are extended in two ways: from internal $d$-dimensional space to full 11- or 10-dimensional spacetimes, by coupling to the tensor hierarchy gauge fields, and from $E_{d(d)}$ with $d\leq 6$ to $E_{7(7)}$ and $E_{8(8)}$. This is done by a clarification of the role of the tensor hierarchy and its end in the context of brane world-volume theories. The exceptional structure of the gauged $\sigma$-model of the Kaluza-Klein monopole is provided as a new example., Comment: 15 pages, comments welcome, v2: citations added, v3: published version

Multi-parametric families of non-supersymmetric EAdS$_{4}$ flows as well as asymptotically EAdS$_{4}$ solitons and wormholes are constructed within the four-dimensional $\textrm{SO}(8)$ gauged supergravity that describes the compactification of M-theory on $\textrm{S}^{7}$. More concretely, the solutions are found within the so-called STU-model that describes the $\textrm{U}(1)^4$ invariant sector of the theory. The on-shell action and gravitational free energy are computed for the regular solutions, the latter being zero for the wormholes irrespective of supersymmetry. There are special loci in parameter space yielding solutions with enhanced (super)symmetry. Examples include a supersymmetric EAdS$_{4}$ flow with $\textrm{SO}(4) \times \textrm{SO}(4)$ symmetry dual to a specific real mass deformation of ABJM on S$^{3}$ as well as a non-supersymmetric wormhole with $\textrm{SU}(3) \times \textrm{U}(1)^2$ symmetry. Uplift formulae for these and other examples to Euclidean solutions of eleven-dimensional supergravity are presented and their complex nature discussed., Comment: 12 pages. v2: minor corrections, references added, published version

In this work, we study the local zeta functions of Calabi-Yau fourfolds. This is done by developing arithmetic deformation techniques to compute the factor of the zeta function that is attributed to the horizontal four-form cohomology. This, in turn, is sensitive to the complex structure of the fourfold. Focusing mainly on examples of fourfolds with a single complex structure parameter, it is demonstrated that the proposed arithmetic techniques are both applicable and consistent. We present a Calabi-Yau fourfold for which a factor of the horizontal four-form cohomology further splits into two pieces of Hodge type $(4,0)+(2,2)+(0,4)$ and $(3,1)+(1,3)$. The latter factor corresponds to a weight-3 modular form, which allows expressing the value of the periods in terms of critical values of the L-function of this modular form, in accordance with Deligne's conjecture. The arithmetic considerations are related to M-theory Calabi-Yau fourfold compactifications with background four-form fluxes. We classify such background fluxes according to their Hodge type. For those fluxes associated to modular forms, we express their couplings in the low-energy effective action in terms of L-function values., Comment: 77 pages, 6 figures. v2: physical interpretation of modular solutions corrected, minor clarifications added, references added. v3: appendix on modular form periods added

We compute the potential energy for the dilaton, complex structure and Kahler moduli and search of realistic vacua of heterotic M-theory compactified on Calabi-Yau threefolds. We present a protocol for deriving the potential that combines the non-perturbative complex structure, gaugino condensate and worldsheet instanton superpotentials in theories in which the hidden sector contains an anomalous $U(1)$ structure group. The Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation induces inhomogeneous axion transformations for the imaginary components of the dilaton and Kahler modulus. Using this protocol we obtain explicit examples in which potential has a global minimum at negative or zero vacuum density or a metastable minimum with positive vacuum density. In all three cases, the dilaton, Kahler modulus and associated axion moduli are completely stabilized. Finally, we show that, for any of these vacua, the potential energy satisfies the large scalar field Swampland conjecture., Comment: 39 pages, 1 figure, minor typos and modifications to figure and text

We study and extend the duality web unifying different decoupling limits of type II superstring theories and M-theory. We systematically build connections to different corners, such as Matrix theories, nonrelativistic string and M-theory, tensionless (and ambitwistor) string theory, Carrollian string theory, and Spin Matrix limits of AdS/CFT. We discuss target space, worldsheet, and worldvolume aspects of these limits in arbitrary curved backgrounds., Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure; v2: published version, clarifications added; v3: typos fixed

It has been recently proposed that at each infinite distance limit in the moduli space of quantum gravity a perturbative description emerges with fundamental degrees of freedom given by those infinite towers of states whose typical mass scale is parametrically not larger than the ultraviolet cutoff, identified with the species scale. This proposal is applied to the familiar ten-dimensional type IIA and IIB superstring theories, when considering the limit of infinite string coupling. For type IIB, the light towers of states are given by excitations of the D1-brane, as expected from self-duality. Instead, for type IIA at strong coupling, which is dual to M-theory on $S^1$, we make the observation that the emergent degrees of freedom are bound states of transversal M2- and M5-branes with Kaluza-Klein momentum along the circle. We speculate on the interpretation of the necessity of including all these states for a putative quantum formulation of M-theory., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures

We study a decoupling limit of M-theory where the three-form gauge potential becomes critical. This limit leads to nonrelativistic M-theory coupled to a non-Lorentzian spacetime geometry. Nonrelativistic M-theory is U-dual to M-theory in the discrete light cone quantization, a non-perturbative approach related to the Matrix theory description of M-theory. We focus on the compactification of nonrelativistic M-theory over a two-torus that exhibits anisotropic behaviors due to the foliation structure of the spacetime geometry. We develop a frame covariant formalism of the toroidal geometry, which provides a geometrical interpretation of the recently discovered polynomial realization of SL(2,Z) duality in nonrelativistic type IIB superstring theory. We will show that the nonrelativistic IIB string background fields transform as polynomials of an effective Galilean "boost velocity" on the two-torus. As an application, we construct an action principle describing a single M5-brane in nonrelativistic M-theory and study its compactification over the anisotropic two-torus. This procedure leads to a D3-brane action in nonrelativistic IIB string theory that makes the SL(2,Z) invariance manifest in the polynomial realization., Comment: 44 pages; v2:published version, typos fixed, references added

As applications of arXiv:2004.07259, the first part of the thesis is based on (i) arXiv:2011.04660 wherein we computed the low energy coupling constants of SU(3) chiral perturbation theory at NLO in the chiral expansion in the chiral limit, from the type IIA string dual inclusive of ${\cal O}(R^4)$ corrections and found a novel HD-large-$N$ connection; (ii) arXiv:2108.05372, arXiv:2203.11959 wherein we discussed confinement-deconfinement phase transition in thermal QCD-like theories at intermediate coupling in the absence/presence of rotation and observed (a) a novel "UV-IR" mixing, (b) "Flavor Memory" effect, (c) M$\chi$PT compatibility,(d) non-renormalization of deconfinement temperature $T_c$ beyond one loop in the zero instanton sector, and (e) found that the $T_c$ of rotating QGP decreases when angular velocity of rotating cylindrical black hole increases and vice-versa. In the second part of thesis, we obtained Page curves of Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m black holes in the presence of ${\cal O}(R^2)$ terms and black holes with multiple horizons in arXiv:2204.11882 and arXiv:2210.00331 respectively. In arXiv:2207.04048, we constructed a doubly holographic setup for a non-conformal bath (thermal QCD) in ${\cal M}$-theory background with the inclusion of ${\cal O}(R^4)$ terms and obtained the Page curve of an eternal neutral black hole for massless graviton localized on an ETW-"brane"/(Fluxed) hypersurface. Multiverse is described as the setup of 2n anti de-Sitter (AdS) or de-Sitter branes embedded in the corresponding bulk (arXiv:2301.06151). Since all the universes can communicate with each other due to transparent boundary conditions at the defect, therefore one could exchange information between any universes. This setup is also used to obtain the Page curve of the Schwarzschild de-Sitter black hole, which has two horizons., Comment: 330 pages, 31 figures, 4 tables; based on Ph.D. thesis (successfully defended on October 05, 2023) and arXiv:2011.04660, arXiv:2108.05372, arXiv:2203.11959, arXiv:2204.11882, arXiv:2207.04048, arXiv:2210.00331, arXiv:2301.06151

The Taub-NUT geometry corresponds to the Kaluza-Klein monopole solution of M-theory and on dimension reduction along the Taub-NUT circle direction it becomes the D6 brane of type IIA string theory. We show that the Taub-NUT geometry can be realised as a coherent state, or more appropriately as a Glauber-Sudarshan state in M-theory, once we take the underlying resurgence structure carefully. Using the duality chain it in turn implies that all D-branes as well as NS5-branes can be realised as Glauber-Sudarshan states in string theory. Our analysis also leads to an intriguing possibility of realizing the gravity duals of certain non-conformal minimally-supersymmetric gauge theories by deforming a class of Glauber-Sudarshan states., Comment: 6 pages, no figure, LaTex; v2: Typos corrected, references updated. Version appearing in Phys. Rev. D

The duality between type IIA superstring theory and M-theory enables us to lift bound states of D$0$-branes and $n$ parallel D$6$-branes to M-theory compactified on an $n$-centered multi-Taub-NUT space $\mathbb{TN}_{n}$. Accordingly, the rank $n$ K-theoretic Donaldson-Thomas invariants of $\mathbb{C}^{3}$ are connected with the index of M-theory on $\mathbb{C}^{3}\times\mathbb{TN}_{n}$. In this paper, we extend this connection by considering intersecting D$6$-branes. In the presence of a suitable Neveu-Schwarz $B$-field, the system preserves two supercharges. This system is T-dual to the configuration of tetrahedron instantons which we introduced in \cite{Pomoni:2021hkn}. We conjecture a closed-form expression for the K-theoretic tetrahedron instanton partition function, which is the generating function of the D$0$-D$6$ partition functions. We find that the tetrahedron instanton partition function coincides with the partition function of the magnificent four model for special values of the parameters, leading us to conjecture that our system of intersecting D$6$-branes can be obtained from the annihilation of D$8$-branes and anti-D$8$-branes. Remarkably, the K-theoretic tetrahedron instanton partition function allows an interpretation in terms of the index of M-theory on a noncompact Calabi-Yau fivefold which is related to a superposition of Kaluza-Klein monopoles. The dimensional reduction of the system allows us to express the cohomological tetrahedron instanton partition function in terms of the MacMahon function, generalizing the correspondence between Gromov-Witten invariants and Donaldson-Thomas invariants for Calabi-Yau threefolds., Comment: 23 pages; v2: additional references and minor corrections; v3: minor changes. To appear in JHEP

We compare large $N$ expansion of the localization result for the free energy $F$ in the 3d $\mathcal{N}=6$ superconformal $U(N)_k \times U(N)_{-k}$ Chern-Simons-matter theory to its AdS/CFT counterpart, i.e. to the perturbative expansion of M-theory partition function on AdS$_{4}\times S^{7}/\mathbb{Z}_{k}$ and to the weak string coupling expansion of type IIA effective action on AdS$_{4}\times {\rm CP}^3$. We show that the general form of the perturbative expansions of $F$ on the two sides of the AdS/CFT duality is indeed the same. Moreover, the transcendentality properties of the coefficients in the large $N$, large $k$ expansion of $F$ match those in the corresponding M-theory or string theory expansions. To shed light on the structure of the 1-loop M-theory partition function on AdS$_{4}\times S^{7}/\mathbb{Z}_{k}$ we use the expression for the 1-loop 4-graviton scattering amplitude in the 11d supergravity. We also use the known information about the transcendental coefficients of the leading curvature invariants in the low-energy effective action of type II string theory. Matching of the remaining rational factors in the coefficients requires a precise information about currently unknown RR field strength terms in the corresponding superinvariants., Comment: 24 pages. v3: comments added in Appendix B

While M- and F-theory compactifications describe a much larger class of vacua than perturbative string compactifications, they typically need singularities to generate non-abelian gauge fields and charged matter. The physical explanation involves M2-branes wrapped on vanishing cycles. Here we seek an alternative explanation that could address outstanding issues such as the description of nilpotent branches, stability walls, frozen singularities and so forth. To this end we use a model in which the three-form is related to the Chern-Simons form of a bundle. The model has a one-form non-abelian gauge symmetry which normally eliminates all the degrees of freedom associated to the bundle. However by restricting the transformations to preserve the bundle along the vanishing cycles, we may get new degrees of freedom associated to singularities, without appealing to wrapped M2-branes. The analysis can be simplified by gauge-fixing the one-form symmetry using higher-dimensional instanton equations. We explain how this mechanism leads to the natural emergence of phenomena such as enhanced ADE gauge symmetries, nilpotent branches, charged matter fields and their holomorphic couplings.

Motivated by M-theory compactifications, we investigate optical properties of black holes in the Starobinsky-Bel-Robinsion gravity. Precisely, we study the shadows and the deflection angle of light rays by non-rotating and rotating black holes in such a novel gravity. We start by discussing the shadows of the Schwarzschild-type solutions. As expected, we obtain perfect circular shadows where the size decreases with a stringy gravity parameter denoted by $\beta$. We show that this parameter is constrained by the shadow existence. Combining the Newman-Janis algorithm and the Hamilton-Jacobi mechanism, we examine the shadow behaviors of the rotating solutions in terms of one-dimensional real curves. Essentially, we find various sizes and shapes depending on the rotating parameter and the stringy gravity parameter $a$ and $\beta$, respectively. To inspect the shadow geometric deformations, we investigate the astronomical observables and the energy emission rate. As envisaged, we reveal that $a$ and $\beta$ have an impact on such shadow behaviors. For specific values of $a$, we remark that the obtained shadow shapes share certain similarities with the ones of the Kerr black holes in plasma backgrounds. Using the Event Horizon Telescope observational data, we provide predictions for the stringy gravity parameter $\beta$ which could play a relevant role in M-theory compactifications. We finish this work by a discussion on the behaviors of the light rays near to such four dimensional black holes by computing the deflection angle in terms of a required moduli space., Comment: Latex, 27 pages, 10 figures. Authors in alphabetical order