Dual String Pairs With N=1 And N=2 Supersymmetry In Four Dimensions

TL;DR

This paper constructs dual pairs of heterotic and Type II string theories with N=1 and N=2 supersymmetry in four dimensions using orbifold techniques and symmetry considerations, advancing understanding of string dualities.

Contribution

It introduces new orbifold constructions for dual pairs of heterotic and Type II strings with different supersymmetries, including generalizations of Type I vacua.

Findings

Constructed N=2 and N=1 dual pairs using orbifold methods.

Analyzed K3 fibrations and orientation symmetries in duality context.

Connected heterotic and Type I vacua with different gauge groups.

Abstract

Based on a simple adiabatic argument and by considering the heterotic string counterpart of certain symmetries of Type II superstrings such as $(-1)^{F_L}$ and orientation reversal, we construct orbifold candidates for dual pairs of heterotic and Type II string theories with $N=2$ and $N=1$ supersymmetry. We also analyze from a similar point of view the ${\rm K3}$ fibrations that enter in recently proposed $N=2$ candidates and use this structure together with certain orientation-reversing symmetries to construct $N=1$ dual pairs. These pairs involve generalizations of Type I vacua which can be equivalent to $E_8\times E_8$ heterotic strings, while standard Type I vacua are related to $SO(32)$.