Nonrenormalization of Flux Superpotentials in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper proves a non-renormalization theorem for flux superpotentials in Type IIB string theory compactifications, crucial for understanding modulus stabilization, by leveraging symmetries and addressing flux-dependent subtleties.

Contribution

It provides a simple, symmetry-based proof of the non-renormalization theorem for a broad class of Type IIB flux vacua, extending known results to flux compactifications.

Findings

Established non-renormalization of flux superpotentials in Type IIB string theory

Linked flux superpotential properties to symmetries of compactifications

Addressed the subtle dependence on the dilaton field in the proof

Abstract

Recent progress in understanding modulus stabilization in string theory relies on the existence of a non-renormalization theorem for the 4D compactifications of Type IIB supergravity which preserve N=1 supersymmetry. We provide a simple proof of this non-renormalization theorem for a broad class of Type IIB vacua using the known symmetries of these compactifications, thereby putting them on a similar footing as the better-known non-renormalization theorems of heterotic vacua without fluxes. The explicit dependence of the tree-level flux superpotential on the dilaton field makes the proof more subtle than in the absence of fluxes.