Theory HEP Seminar

Supergravity and string/F-theory vacua in six dimensions

Washington Taylor

MIT

Six-dimensional supergravity theories provide a tractable domain in which to explore the global structure of the space of string vacua and the connection between different string vacuum constructions. In this talk I describe recent results in mapping this space of theories. Using anomalies and other constraints, finite bounds can be placed on large parts of the moduli space of theories. Anomalies also provide a connection to F-theory constructions, which produce the widest range of known 6D string vacua. I describe how data from the low-energy theory can be used to identify the topological data needed for an F-theory construction. This suggests new mechanisms for generating matter and new connections between the variety of stringy vacuum constructions. Many of the lessons learned in six dimensions are also relevant for four-dimensional theories.