Discrete Wilson Lines in F-Theory

TL;DR

This paper constructs F-theory models with non-trivial fundamental groups on 7-branes, using specific toric base manifolds, and explores the implications for gauge theories supported on non-simply connected components.

Contribution

It introduces F-theory models with non-trivial fundamental groups on 7-branes using toric base manifolds, enabling new gauge theory configurations.

Findings

Constructed models with non-trivial fundamental group 7-branes.

Identified non-simply connected discriminant components supporting gauge theories.

Demonstrated the use of toric varieties in F-theory model building.

Abstract

F-theory models are constructed where the 7-brane has a non-trivial fundamental group. The base manifolds used are a toric Fano variety and a smooth toric threefold coming from a reflexive polyhedron. The discriminant locus of the elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfold can be chosen such that one irreducible component it is not simply connected (namely, an Enriques surface) and supports a non-Abelian gauge theory.