Reducing heterotic M-theory to five dimensional supergravity on a manifold with boundary

TL;DR

This paper derives a five-dimensional supergravity model from heterotic M-theory on a Calabi-Yau manifold with boundary, introducing new boundary terms and conditions that impact vacuum energy and moduli stabilization.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed reduction of heterotic M-theory to 5D supergravity with boundary terms and explores implications for vacuum energy and moduli stabilization.

Findings

New boundary terms in the action are derived.

Boundary conditions on bulk fields are specified.

Gaugino condensation induces a gravitino chirality twist.

Abstract

This paper constructs the reduction of heterotic $M$-theory in eleven dimensions to a supergravity model on a manifold with boundary in five dimensions using a Calabi-Yau three-fold. New results are presented for the boundary terms in the action and for the boundary conditions on the bulk fields. Some general features of dualisation on a manifold with boundary are used to explain the origin of some topological terms in the action. The effect of gaugino condensation on the fermion boundary conditions leads to a `twist' in the chirality of the gravitino which can provide an uplifting mechanism in the vacuum energy to cancel the cosmological constant after moduli stabilisation.