String Theory Dynamics In Various Dimensions

TL;DR

This paper explores the strong coupling behavior of string theories in various dimensions, revealing connections between supergravity limits and dualities among different string models.

Contribution

It demonstrates that eleven-dimensional supergravity emerges as a low-energy limit and elucidates dualities linking heterotic and Type IIA superstrings across multiple dimensions.

Findings

Eleven-dimensional supergravity is a low-energy limit of Type IIA superstring.

A duality between heterotic and Type IIA strings governs strong coupling dynamics.

The duality implies S duality for heterotic and Type II strings.

Abstract

The strong coupling dynamics of string theories in dimension $d\geq 4$ are studied. It is argued, among other things, that eleven-dimensional supergravity arises as a low energy limit of the ten-dimensional Type IIA superstring, and that a recently conjectured duality between the heterotic string and Type IIA superstrings controls the strong coupling dynamics of the heterotic string in five, six, and seven dimensions and implies $S$ duality for both heterotic and Type II strings.