Phases of unstable conifolds

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transitions of nonsupersymmetric conifold-like singularities caused by closed string tachyon condensation, revealing a cascade of decays to simpler geometries using toric geometry and RG flow analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed phase structure for nonsupersymmetric conifold-like singularities, including decay pathways and geometric transitions, using gauged linear sigma models and toric techniques.

Findings

Identifies cascade-like phase structure with decay to lower singularities.

Shows consistency with Type II GSO projection.

Describes geometric transitions including flips and flops.

Abstract

We explore the phase structure induced by closed string tachyon condensation of toric nonsupersymmetric conifold-like singularities described by an integral charge matrix $Q=(n_1 n_2 -n_3 -n_4), n_i>0, \sum_i Q_i\neq 0$, initiated in hep-th/0510104. Using gauged linear sigma model renormalization group flows and toric geometry techniques, we see a cascade-like phase structure containing decays to lower order conifold-like singularities, including in particular the supersymmetric conifold and the $Y^{pq}$ spaces. This structure is consistent with the Type II GSO projection obtained previously for these singularities. Transitions between the various phases of these geometries include flips and flops.