Supergravity flows and D-brane stability

TL;DR

This paper explores the relationship between BPS states in string theory and supergravity solutions, addressing paradoxes and proposing resolutions through composite configurations, with implications for stability and decay of D-branes.

Contribution

It introduces a new understanding of D-brane stability and decay in supergravity by resolving paradoxes via composite configurations and connecting to geometric and stability concepts.

Findings

Resolution of paradoxes in BPS state stability

Smooth effective field theory description of decay processes

Connections established with geometric stability and string junctions

Abstract

We investigate the correspondence between existence/stability of BPS states in type II string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau manifold and BPS solutions of four dimensional N=2 supergravity. Some paradoxes emerge, and we propose a resolution by considering composite configurations. This in turn gives a smooth effective field theory description of decay at marginal stability. We also discuss the connection with 3-pronged strings, the Joyce transition of special Lagrangian submanifolds, and Pi-stability.