Chirality Change in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that different chiral matter configurations in string theory can be connected both quantum mechanically via phase transitions and classically through effective field theory, including supersymmetric pathways.

Contribution

It reveals classical connections between string compactifications with different chiral matter content, expanding understanding beyond quantum fixed point transitions.

Findings

Classical transitions between chiral string compactifications are possible.

Some transitions occur entirely through supersymmetric configurations.

Connections exist both quantum mechanically and classically in string theory.

Abstract

It is known that string theory compactifications leading to low energy effective theories with different chiral matter content ({\it e.g.} different numbers of standard model generations) are connected through phase transitions, described by non-trivial quantum fixed point theories. We point out that such compactifications are also connected on a purely classical level, through transitions that can be described using standard effective field theory. We illustrate this with examples, including some in which the transition proceeds entirely through supersymmetric configurations.