Stabilizing All Kahler Moduli in Type IIB Orientifolds

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, robust mechanism to stabilize all Kahler moduli in Type IIB orientifold compactifications using a single non-perturbative superpotential contribution, with implications for particle physics and cosmology.

Contribution

It presents a novel moduli stabilization method that requires only one non-perturbative term, simplifying the construction of realistic string compactifications.

Findings

All Kahler moduli can be stabilized with a single non-perturbative contribution.

The stabilized volumes are controlled by a single parameter, the volume of an ample divisor.

The mechanism has broad implications for particle physics phenomenology.

Abstract

We describe a simple and robust mechanism that stabilizes all Kahler moduli in Type IIB orientifold compactifications. This is shown to be possible with just one non-perturbative contribution to the superpotential coming from either a D3-instanton or D7-branes wrapped on an ample divisor. This moduli-stabilization mechanism is similar to and motivated by the one used in the fluxless G_2 compactifications of M-theory. After explaining the general idea, explicit examples of Calabi-Yau orientifolds with one and three Kahler moduli are worked out. We find that the stabilized volumes of all two- and four-cycles as well as the volume of the Calabi-Yau manifold are controlled by a single parameter, namely, the volume of the ample divisor. This feature would dramatically constrain any realistic models of particle physics embedded into such compactifications. Broad consequences for phenomenology are discussed, in particular the dynamical solution to the strong CP-problem within the framework.