Taxonomy of branes in infinite distance limits

TL;DR

This paper classifies branes in infinite distance limits of moduli spaces, linking lattice structures to string theory spectra and suggesting potential new branes and constraints in various theories.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive classification of brane configurations in asymptotic moduli space limits across different dimensions, connecting to string theory spectra and proposing new predictions.

Findings

Reproduces particle and brane content of string theories with various supersymmetries.

Identifies finite configurations satisfying specific lattice conditions.

Suggests existence of non-BPS branes in heterotic string theory and constraints in dark dimension scenarios.

Abstract

I consider flat slices of moduli spaces where the $(-\nabla \log T)$-vectors of particle-towers and branes are constant, and I show that the Emergent String Conjecture constrains these vectors to reside on lattices. In asymptotic limits, this results in exponentially separated, discretized hierarchies of energy scales. I further identify conditions that determine whether a given lattice site must be populated, and I show that only a finite set of configurations satisfies these conditions. I classify all such configurations for 0d, 1d, and 2d moduli spaces in theories with 3 to 11 spacetime dimensions, and I argue that 11d is the maximal spacetime dimension compatible with my assumptions. Remarkably, this classification reproduces the detailed particle and brane content of various string theory examples with 32, 16, and 8 supercharges. It also describes some examples where the assumptions I use are violated, suggesting that my assumptions can be relaxed and the scope of this classification can be expanded. It might also predict new branes. For instance, if heterotic string theory is described by this classification, then it must possess non-BPS branes with D-brane-like tensions. Similarly, if this classification applies to the Dark Dimension Scenario with an extra modulus, then it requires the existence of strings with tensions related to the cosmological constant by $T\lesssim \Lambda^{1/6}$ in 4d Planck units.