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We consider the Riemann-Hilbert factorization approach to the construction of Weyl metrics in four space-time dimensions. We present, for the first time, a rigorous proof of the remarkable fact that the canonical Wiener-Hopf factorization of a matrix obtained from a general (possibly unbounded) monodromy matrix, with respect to an appropriately chosen contour, yields a solution to the non-linear gravitational field equations. This holds regardless of whether the dimensionally reduced metric in two dimensions has Minkowski or Euclidean signature. We show moreover that, by taking advantage of a certain degree of freedom in the choice of the contour, the same monodromy matrix generally yields various distinct solutions to the field equations. Our proof, which fills various gaps in the existing literature, is based on the solution of a second Riemann-Hilbert problem and highlights the deep role of the spectral curve, the normalization condition in the factorization and the choice of the contour. This approach allows us to construct explicit solutions, including new ones, to the non-linear gravitational field equations, using simple complex analytic results., Comment: 48 pages, 7 figures; v2: added section 10; matches published version

The duality symmetries of the STU-model of Sen and Vafa are very restrictive. This is utilized to determine the holomorphic function that encodes its two-derivative Wilsonian effective action and its couplings to the square of the Weyl tensor to fifth order in perturbation theory. At fifth order some ambiguities remain which are expected to resolve themselves when proceeding to the next order. Subsequently, a corresponding topological string partition function is studied in an expansion in terms of independent invariants of $S$, $T$ and $U$, with coefficient functions that depend on an effective duality invariant coupling constant $u$, which is defined on a Riemann surface $\mathbb{C}$. The coefficient function of the invariant that is independent of $S$, $T$ and $U$ is determined to all orders by resummation. The other functions can be solved as well, either algebraically or by solving differential equations whose solutions have ambiguities associated with integration constants. This determination of the topological string partition function, while interesting in its own right, reveals new qualitative features in the result for the Wilsonian action, which would be difficult to appreciate otherwise. It is demonstrated how eventually the various ambiguities are eliminated by comparing the results for the effective action and the topological string. While we only demonstrate this for the leading terms, we conjecture that this will hold in general for this model., Comment: 39 pages; v2: various text improvements

We consider four-dimensional dyonic single-center BPS black holes in the $N=2$ STU model of Sen and Vafa. By working in a region of moduli space where the real part of two of the three complex scalars $S, T, U$ are taken to be large, we evaluate the quantum entropy function for these BPS black holes. In this regime, the subleading corrections point to a microstate counting formula partly based on a Siegel modular form of weight two. This is supplemented by another modular object that takes into account the dependence on $Y^0$, a complex scalar field belonging to one of the four off-shell vector multiplets of the underlying supergravity theory. We also observe interesting connections to the rational Calogero model and to formal deformation of a Poisson algebra, and suggest a string web picture of our counting proposal., Comment: 72 pages; v2: matches published version

We consider the Riemann-Hilbert factorization approach to solving the field equations of dimensionally reduced gravity theories. First we prove that functions belonging to a certain class possess a canonical factorization due to properties of the underlying spectral curve. Then we use this result, together with appropriate matricial decompositions, to study the canonical factorization of non-meromorphic monodromy matrices that describe deformations of seed monodromy matrices associated with known solutions. This results in new solutions, with unusual features, to the field equations., Comment: 29 pages, 2 figures; v2: reference added, matches published version

We construct rotating extremal black hole and attractor solutions in gravity theories by solving a Riemann-Hilbert problem associated with the Breitenlohner-Maison linear system. By employing a vectorial Riemann-Hilbert factorization method we explicitly factorize the corresponding monodromy matrices, which have second order poles in the spectral parameter. In the underrotating case we identify elements of the Geroch group which implement Harrison-type transformations which map the attractor geometries to interpolating rotating black hole solutions. The factorization method we use yields an explicit solution to the linear system, from which we do not only obtain the spacetime solution, but also an explicit expression for the master potential encoding the potentials of the infinitely many conserved currents which make this sector of gravity integrable., Comment: Minor changes, final version, accepted by JHEP. 75 pages, 2 figures

We construct the on-shell double copy for linearised four-dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ supergravity coupled to one vector multiplet with a quadratic prepotential. We apply this dictionary to the weak-field approximation of dyonic BPS black holes in this theory., Comment: 27 pages

We discuss two classes of non-supersymmetric interpolating solutions in N=2, D=4 gauged supergravity, that flow from either a z=2 Lifshitz geometry or a conformal AdS background to the near-horizon geometry of a Nernst brane. We obtain these solutions by constructing a z=2 supersymmetric Lifshitz solution in the STU model from a first-order rewriting of the action, then lifting it up to a five-dimensional background and subsequently modifying this five-dimensional solution by a two-parameter family of deformations. Under reduction, these give four-dimensional non-supersymmetric Nernst brane solutions. This is a step towards resolving the Lifshitz tidal force singularity in the context of N=2 gauged supergravity and suggests an approach to encoding the Nernst brane in terms of the Schroedinger symmetry group of the holographically dual field theory., Comment: v2: 32 pages, improved presentation, added references, matches published version

The topological string captures certain superstring amplitudes which are also encoded in the underlying string effective action. However, unlike the topological string free energy, the effective action that comprises higher-order derivative couplings is not defined in terms of duality covariant variables. This puzzle is resolved in the context of real special geometry by introducing the so-called Hesse potential, which is defined in terms of duality covariant variables and is related by a Legendre transformation to the function that encodes the effective action. It is demonstrated that the Hesse potential contains a unique subsector that possesses all the characteristic properties of a topological string free energy. Genus $g\leq3$ contributions are constructed explicitly for a general class of effective actions associated with a special-K\"ahler target space and are shown to satisfy the holomorphic anomaly equation of perturbative type-II topological string theory. This identification of a topological string free energy from an effective action is primarily based on conceptual arguments and does not involve any of its more specific properties. It is fully consistent with known results. A general theorem is presented that captures some characteristic features of the equivalence, which demonstrates at the same time that non-holomorphic deformations of special geometry can be dealt with consistently., Comment: 44 pages, LaTex; v2, v3: minor text improvements

The Hesse potential is constructed for a class of four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric effective actions with S- and T-duality by performing the relevant Legendre transform by iteration. It is a function of fields that transform under duality according to an arithmetic subgroup of the classical dualities reflecting the monodromies of the underlying string compactification. These transformations are not subject to corrections, unlike the transformations of the fields that appear in the effective action which are affected by the presence of higher-derivative couplings. The class of actions that are considered includes those of the FHSV and the STU model. We also consider heterotic N=4 supersymmetric compactifications. The Hesse potential, which is equal to the free energy function for BPS black holes, is manifestly duality invariant. Generically it can be expanded in terms of powers of the modulus that represents the inverse topological string coupling constant, $g_s$, and its complex conjugate. The terms depending holomorphically on $g_s$ are expected to correspond to the topological string partition function and this expectation is explicitly verified in two cases. Terms proportional to mixed powers of $g_s$ and $\bar g_s$ are in principle present., Comment: 28 pages, LaTeX, added comments

We use the fluid-gravity correspondence to compute subextensive corrections, proportional to the shear tensor, to the energy-momentum tensor of fluids on three-spheres. The dual configurations we consider are charged black hole solutions of N = 2 gauged supergravity theories in five dimensions., Comment: 26 pages, LaTeX, added comments

We evaluate the mixed partition function for dyonic BPS black holes using the recently proposed degeneracy formula for the STU model. The result factorizes into the OSV mixed partition function times a proportionality factor. The latter is in agreement with the measure factor that was recently conjectured for a class of N=2 black holes that contains the STU model., Comment: 14 pages

BPS black hole degeneracies can be expressed in terms of an inverse Laplace transform of a partition function based on a mixed electric/magnetic ensemble, which involves a non-trivial integration measure. This measure has been evaluated for black holes with various degrees of supersymmetry and for N=4 supersymmetric black holes all results agree. It generally receives contributions from non-holomorphic corrections. An explicit evaluation of these corrections in the context of the effective action of the FHSV model reveals that these are related to, but quantitatively different from, the non-holomorphic corrections to the topological string, indicating that the relation between the twisted partition functions of the latter and the effective action is more subtle than has so far been envisaged. The effective action result leads to a duality invariant BPS free energy and arguments are presented for the existence of consistent non-holomorphic deformations of special geometry that can account for these effects. A prediction is given for the measure based on semiclassical arguments for a class of N=2 black holes. Furthermore an attempt is made to confront some of the results of this paper to a recent proposal for the microstate degeneracies of the STU model., Comment: 45 pages, minor changes

We consider static non-extremal charged black hole solutions in the context of N=2 gauged supergravity theories in five dimensions, and we show that they satisfy first-order flow equations. Then we analyze the motion of the dual brane in these black hole backgrounds. We express the entropy in terms of a Cardy-Verlinde-type formula, and we show that the equations describing the FRW cosmology on the brane have a form that is similar to the equations for the entropy and for the Casimir energy on the brane. We also briefly comment on the inclusion of a Gauss-Bonnet term in the analysis., Comment: 27 pages,5 figures, references added

The entropy and the attractor equations for static extremal black hole solutions follow from a variational principle based on an entropy function. In the general case such an entropy function can be derived from the reduced action evaluated in a near-horizon geometry. BPS black holes constitute special solutions of this variational principle, but they can also be derived directly from a different entropy function based on supersymmetry enhancement at the horizon. Both functions are consistent with electric/magnetic duality and for BPS black holes their corresponding OSV-type integrals give identical results at the semi-classical level. We clarify the relation between the two entropy functions and the corresponding attractor equations for N=2 supergravity theories with higher-derivative couplings in four space-time dimensions. We discuss how non-holomorphic corrections will modify these entropy functions., Comment: 21 pages,LaTeX,minor changes

The macroscopic entropy and the attractor equations for BPS black holes in four-dimensional N=2 supergravity theories follow from a variational principle for a certain `entropy function'. We present this function in the presence of R^2-interactions and non-holomorphic corrections. The variational principle identifies the entropy as a Legendre transform and this motivates the definition of various partition functions corresponding to different ensembles and a hierarchy of corresponding duality invariant inverse Laplace integral representations for the microscopic degeneracies. Whenever the microscopic degeneracies are known the partition functions can be evaluated directly. This is the case for N=4 heterotic CHL black holes, where we demonstrate that the partition functions are consistent with the results obtained on the macroscopic side for black holes that have a non-vanishing classical area. In this way we confirm the presence of a measure in the duality invariant inverse Laplace integrals. Most, but not all, of these results are obtained in the context of semiclassical approximations. For black holes whose area vanishes classically, there remain discrepancies at the semiclassical level and beyond, the nature of which is not fully understood at present., Comment: 36 pages, LateX

It is shown that the asymptotic growth of the microscopic degeneracy of BPS dyons in four-dimensional N=4 string theory captures the known corrections to the macroscopic entropy of four-dimensional extremal black holes. These corrections are subleading in the limit of large charges and originate both from the presence of interactions in the effective action quadratic in the Riemann tensor and from non-holomorphic terms. The presence of the non-holomorphic corrections and their contribution to the thermodynamic free energy is discussed. It is pointed out that the expression for the microscopic entropy, written as a function of the dilaton field, is stationary at the horizon by virtue of the attractor equations., Comment: 16 pages LateX

We extend the linearised solution of Polchinski and Strassler describing the supergravity dual of the N=1* gauge theory. By analysing the equations of motion of type IIB supergravity at cubic order in the mass perturbation parameter, we demonstrate the emergence of a 3-form flux of type (3,0) with respect to the natural complex structure. The generation of this flux can be associated to the dynamical formation of a gaugino condensate in the confining phase of the N=1* gauge theory. We also check that the supersymmetry conditions are satisfied, and we discuss how this (3,0)-form flux is tied to the existence of a supersymmetric background with SU(2)-structure., Comment: 29 pages, Latex

We discuss compactifications of heterotic string theory to four dimensions in the presence of H-fluxes, which deform the geometry of the internal manifold, and a gaugino condensate which breaks supersymmetry. We focus on the compensation of the two effects in order to obtain vacua with zero cosmological constant and we comment on the effective superpotential describing these vacua., Comment: 6 pages

Recently, we have shown theoretically [1] as well as experimentally [2] how the phase of an electromagnetic field can be determined by measuring the population of either of the two states of a two-level atomic system excited by this field, via the so-called Bloch-Siegert oscillation resulting from the interference between the co- and counter-rotating excitations. Here, we show how a degenerate entanglement, created without transmitting any timing signal, can be used to teleport this phase information. This phase-teleportation process may be applied to achieve wavelength teleportation, which in turn may be used for frequency-locking of remote oscillators., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures

We consider N =1 compactifications to four dimensions of heterotic string theory in the presence of fluxes. We show that up to order O(\alpha'^2) the associated action can be written as a sum of squares of BPS-like quantities. In this way we prove that the equations of motion are solved by backgrounds which fulfill the supersymmetry conditions and the Bianchi identities. We also argue for the expression of the related superpotential and discuss the radial modulus stabilization for a class of examples., Comment: LaTeX, 28 pages. Minor changes, one more reference added. Final version to appear on JHEP

We discuss the mathematical properties of six--dimensional non--K\"ahler manifolds which occur in the context of ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric heterotic and type IIA string compactifications with non--vanishing background H--field. The intrinsic torsion of the associated SU(3) structures falls into five different classes. For heterotic compactifications we present an explicit dictionary between the supersymmetry conditions and these five torsion classes. We show that the non--Ricci flat Iwasawa manifold solves the supersymmetry conditions with non--zero H--field, so that it is a consistent heterotic supersymmetric groundstate., Comment: 33 pages, LaTeX; references added; one more reference added

In future experiments the readout electronics for pixel detectors is required to be resistant to a very high radiation level. In this paper we report on irradiation tests performed on several preFPIX2 prototype pixel readout chips for the BTeV experiment exposed to a 200 MeV proton beam. The prototype chips have been implemented in commercial 0.25 um CMOS processes following radiation tolerant design rules. The results show that this ASIC design tolerates a large total radiation dose, and that radiation induced Single Event Effects occur at a manageable level., Comment: 15 pages, 6 Postscript figures