Topologically Induced Instability in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that certain ten-dimensional manifolds induce instability in string theory due to their topology, regardless of the metric, revealing a topology-based instability mechanism in string theory.

Contribution

It introduces a topology selection mechanism causing instability in string theory on specific manifolds, independent of geometric details, and provides a criterion for identifying such manifolds.

Findings

Identifies manifolds causing universal instability in string theory

Proposes a criterion for topology-induced instability

Employs techniques applicable to broader cases

Abstract

Using the generalised AdS/CFT correspondence, we show that there are certain ten-dimensional differentiable manifolds such that string theory on such a manifold is unstable [to the emission of "large branes"] no matter what the metric may be. The instability is thus due to the [differential] topology of the manifold, not to any particular choice of its geometry. We propose a precise criterion for this "topology selection mechanism", and prove it in many cases. The techniques employed may be useful in more general cases.