A Flux-Scaling Scenario for High-Scale Moduli Stabilization in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores a flux-scaling approach in string theory to stabilize moduli at high scales, enabling potential realization of axion monodromy inflation, while addressing challenges in controlling mass hierarchies.

Contribution

It introduces a flux-scaling scenario for stabilizing moduli in type IIB string theory, facilitating parametric control and connecting to axion monodromy inflation.

Findings

Identified stable non-supersymmetric vacua with fixed moduli and massless axions.

Demonstrated parametric control over moduli VEVs and masses via flux scaling.

Discussed uplift mechanisms and supersymmetry breaking effects on MSSM-like branes.

Abstract

Tree-level moduli stabilization via geometric and non-geometric fluxes in type IIB orientifolds on Calabi-Yau manifolds is investigated. The focus is on stable non-supersymmetric minima, where all moduli are fixed except for some massless axions. The scenario includes the purely axionic orientifold-odd moduli. A set of vacua allowing for parametric control over the moduli vacuum expectation values and their masses is presented, featuring a specific scaling with the fluxes. Uplift mechanisms and supersymmetry breaking soft masses on MSSM-like D7-branes are discussed as well. This scenario provides a complete effective framework for realizing the idea of F-term axion monodromy inflation in string theory. It is argued that, with all masses close to the Planck and GUT scales, one is confronted with working at the threshold of controlling all mass hierarchies.