A Duality Web for Non-Supersymmetric Strings

TL;DR

This paper explores a web of dualities among non-supersymmetric string theories, connecting various orientifolds and heterotic vacua through geometric quotients of M-theory and F-theory.

Contribution

It proposes a duality web linking non-supersymmetric strings, clarifies their geometric origins, and supports existing duality conjectures with new evidence.

Findings

Identifies $bZ_2$ quotients of M-theory leading to 0A orientifolds and heterotic vacua.

Connects F-theory quotients to 0B orientifolds and D-type heterotic strings.

Provides evidence for Bergman-Gaberdiel and DMS dualities involving non-supersymmetric strings.

Abstract

Motivated by the recently proposed geometric descriptions of 0A and 0B in M-theory and F-theory, we propose a web of duality among non-supersymmetric strings. In particular we argue that the distinct $\mathbb{Z}_2$ quotients of M-theory on $S^1\vee S^1$ lead to both 0A orientifolds as well as non-supersymmetric 10d heterotic vacua of the E-type, including the tachyon-free $SO(16)\times SO(16)$ strings. Moreover we identify certain $\mathbb{Z}_2$ quotients of F-theory on $(S^1\vee S^1)\times S^1$ with 0B orientifolds (including a tachyon-free model) as well as others with dual to non-supersymmetric heterotic strings of the D-type. Moreover using this picture we resolve some puzzles and provide further evidence for the Bergman-Gaberdiel duality between a particular 0B orientifold in 10 dimensions and the Narain compactification of 26-dimensional bosonic strings on a 16-dimensional torus, as well as the DMS conjecture of a 0A orientifold duality in 10d with a bosonic string orientifold of a Narain compactification to 10d.