Higher order terms in an improved heterotic M theory

TL;DR

This paper discusses the addition of curvature squared terms to heterotic M theory supergravity to cancel anomalies and facilitate dimensional reduction, highlighting the implications of flux and extrinsic curvature terms.

Contribution

It introduces curvature squared terms into heterotic M theory supergravity and explores their role in anomaly cancellation and dimensional reduction.

Findings

Curvature squared terms are essential for anomaly cancellation.

Implications of flux and extrinsic curvature terms are discussed.

Potential effects on lower-dimensional theories are considered.

Abstract

Curvature squared terms are added to a consistent formulation of supergravity on manifolds with boundary which is meant to represent the low energy limit of the strongly coupled heterotic string. These terms are necessary for the cancellation of gravitational anomalies and for reduction to lower dimensions with broken chiral symmetry. The consequences of anomaly cancellation when flux and extrinsic curvature terms are taken into account have yet to be fully exploited, but some implications for flux terms are discussed.