On effective field theory of F-theory beyond leading order

TL;DR

This paper develops a twelve-dimensional effective field theory at order α'^3 that, upon compactification, reproduces known supergravity theories, and clarifies the self-duality of the five-form field strength in this framework.

Contribution

It proposes a new twelve-dimensional effective bosonic field theory at order α'^3 compatible with known supergravity theories upon compactification.

Findings

Derived couplings consistent with lower-dimensional supergravities

Established a framework for understanding self-duality of five-form field strength

Provided a basis for future higher-order supergravity studies

Abstract

We construct a proposal for effective bosonic field theory at order $ \alpha'^3 $ in twelve dimensions, whose compactification on a circle and on a torus respectively yields eleven-dimensional and type IIB supergravity theories at eight-derivative level. The couplings $ ({\partial {G_5}})^2 R^2 $, $ ({\partial {F_4}})^2 R^2 $, $ ({\partial {F_4}})^4 $, $ ({\partial {G_5}})^4 $ and $ ({\partial {G_5}})^2({\partial {F_4}})^2 $ in twelve-dimensional supergravity are determined with this requirement that an ansatz of these couplings should admits a consistent truncation to the eleven-dimensional and type IIB supergravity theories. The self-duality condition of the five-form field strength in twelve dimensions is also understood by considering the RR five-form field strength of type IIB theory at linear order.