Quantum corrections obstruct infinite distance limits in Type IIA orientifold Kähler moduli unless other moduli are also taken to infinity, as shown by worldsheet EFT strings, massless towers, and M-theory G2 uplifts.
On Quantum Obstructions in Type IIA Orientifolds
4 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
abstract
Quantum corrections can severely modify or even remove classical infinite distance limits in four-dimensional gravity theories with minimal N=1 supersymmetry. In this note we study this effect for infinite distance directions in the classical K\"ahler moduli sector of Type IIA orientifolds at fixed four-dimensional dilaton. We present several independent arguments why such infinite distance directions are absent at the quantum level. These involve the worldsheet theory of EFT strings and the putative asymptotically massless tower of particles. Key insights are provided by the uplift to M-theory on G2 manifolds, which allows for a unified treatment of quantum obstructions of seemingly different origin in the dual Type IIB/F-theory frame. Our results apply also to the Type IIA dual of infinite distance limits for which no quantum obstruction could be detected in the Type IIB frame in previous work. In conclusion, infinite distance limits in the part of the orientifold moduli space descending from a 4d N=2 vector multiplet sector are only possible at the quantum level if also some of the remaining moduli are taken to infinity.
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hep-th 4years
2026 4roles
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On Quantum Obstructions in Type IIA Orientifolds
Quantum corrections obstruct infinite distance limits in Type IIA orientifold Kähler moduli unless other moduli are also taken to infinity, as shown by worldsheet EFT strings, massless towers, and M-theory G2 uplifts.
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Sharpening the Supersymmetric Axion Weak Gravity Conjecture
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Towards the Realization of the Dark Dimension Scenario in Ho\v{r}ava-Witten Theory
Hořava-Witten theory offers a potential string embedding of the dark dimension by localizing the Standard Model on the 11th interval, with symmetric tadpole cancellation and an infinite-distance limit helping derive the scalar potential and couplings from Schwinger integrals.
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