Gauged Double Field Theory, Current Algebras and Heterotic Sigma Models

TL;DR

This paper explores the structure of gauged double field theory, demonstrating its consistency with heterotic sigma models and analyzing the non-Abelian gauge symmetries and current algebras relevant to heterotic string theories.

Contribution

It establishes the compatibility of the $O(D,D+n)$ generalized metric in gauged DFT with heterotic sigma models and details the non-Abelian gauge symmetries and current algebras.

Findings

Generalized metric consistent with heterotic sigma models at leading order in $mbda'$

Correct realization of diffeomorphism and $B$-field gauge transformations in current algebras

Identification of non-Abelian gauge symmetries with appropriate local Lorentz transformations

Abstract

We study the $O(D,D+n)$ generalized metric and the gauge symmetries in the gauged double field theory (DFT) in view of current algebras and sigma models. We show that the $O(D,D+n)$ generalized metric in the gauged DFT is consistent with the heterotic sigma models at the leading order in the $\alpha'$-corrections. We then study the non-Abelian gauge symmetries and current algebras of heterotic string theories. We show that the algebras exhibit the correct diffeomorphism, the $B$-field gauge transformations of the background fields together with the non-Abelian gauge transformations possibly with the appropriate local Lorentz transformations.