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In theoretical physics, F-theory is a branch of string theory developed by Iranian-American physicist Cumrun Vafa.[1] The new vacua described by F-theory were discovered by Vafa and allowed string theorists to construct new realistic vacua — in the form of F-theory compactified on elliptically fibered Calabi–Yau four-folds. The letter "F" supposedly stands for "Father" in relation to "Mother"-theory.[2]
Compactifications
editF-theory is formally a 12-dimensional theory, but the only way to obtain an acceptable background is to compactify this theory on a two-torus. By doing so, one obtains type IIB superstring theory in 10 dimensions. The SL(2,Z) S-duality symmetry of the resulting type IIB string theory is manifest because it arises as the group of large diffeomorphisms of the two-dimensional torus.
More generally, one can compactify F-theory on an elliptically fibered manifold (elliptic fibration), i.e. a fiber bundle whose fiber is a two-dimensional torus (also called an elliptic curve). For example, a subclass of the K3 manifolds is elliptically fibered, and F-theory on a K3 manifold is dual to heterotic string theory on a two-torus. Also, the moduli spaces of those theories should be isomorphic.
The large number of semirealistic solutions to string theory referred to as the string theory landscape, with elements or so, is dominated by F-theory compactifications on Calabi–Yau four-folds.[3] There are about of those solutions consistent with the Standard Model of particle physics.[4]
Phenomenology
editNew models of Grand Unified Theory have recently been developed using F-theory.[5]
Extra time dimension
editF-theory has the metric signature (10,2), which means that it includes a second time dimension.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Vafa, Cumrun (1996). "Evidence for F-theory". Nuclear Physics B. 469 (3): 403–415. arXiv:hep-th/9602022. doi:10.1016/0550-3213(96)00172-1. S2CID 6511691.
- ^ Michio Kaku: The Universe Is a Symphony of Vibrating Strings – YouTube
- ^ Taylor, Washington; Wang, Yi-Nan (2015). "The F-theory geometry with most flux vacua". Journal of High Energy Physics. 2015 (12): 164. arXiv:1511.03209. Bibcode:2015JHEP...12..164T. doi:10.1007/JHEP12(2015)164. S2CID 41149049.
- ^ [1903.00009] A Quadrillion Standard Models from F-theory
- ^ Heckman, Jonathan J. (2010). "Particle Physics Implications of F-Theory". Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science. 60: 237–265. arXiv:1001.0577. doi:10.1146/annurev.nucl.012809.104532.
- ^ Penrose, Roger. (2004). The Road to Reality. Jonathan Cape. Page 915. (Penrose cites Vafa. (1996) and also Bars, I. (2000). "Survey of Two-Time Physics". https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0008164 )
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