Multiple anomalous U(1)s in heterotic blow-ups

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence of multiple anomalous U(1) symmetries in heterotic orbifold blow-ups, providing evidence for duality and addressing anomaly resolution through field redefinitions.

Contribution

It explicitly shows multiple anomalous U(1)s and non-universal factorization in heterotic orbifold blow-ups, advancing understanding of heterotic/type-I duality.

Findings

Multiple anomalous U(1)s are present in heterotic blow-ups.

Non-universal factorization of anomalies is demonstrated.

Anomaly mismatches are resolved via field redefinitions.

Abstract

The existence of multiple anomalous U(1)s is demonstrated explicitly in a blow-up version of a heterotic Z_3 orbifold. Another blow-up of the same orbifold supports further evidence for the type-I/heterotic duality in four dimensions. It has a single anomalous U(1) which does not factorize universally. As multiple anomalous U(1)s as well as non-universal factorization have never been established on heterotic orbifolds explicitely, these findings might appear contradictory at first sight. Possible inconsistencies are avoided by reinterpreting a charged twisted state as a second non-universal localized axion. The mismatch between the charges of the orbifold and blow-up spectra is resolved by suitable field redefinitions. The anomaly of the field redefinitions corresponds to the difference of blow-up and heterotic orbifold anomalies.