Domain Walls and the Universe

TL;DR

This paper explores domain wall solutions in supergravity that relate to M-theory and heterotic string duality, revealing how certain compactifications lead to effective four-dimensional theories with desirable physical properties.

Contribution

It introduces specific D=11 supergravity solutions involving domain walls that connect M-theory and heterotic duality frameworks, with implications for four-dimensional supersymmetric models.

Findings

Identification of D=5 Calabi-Yau solutions with M-theory vacua

Construction of domain wall solutions with unbroken $ ext{Z}_2$ symmetry

Derivation of an effective D=4 heterotic theory with chirality and N=1 supersymmetry

Abstract

D=11 supergravity possesses D=5 Calabi-Yau compactified solutions that may be identified with the vacua of the Horava-Witten orbifold construction for M--theory/heterotic duality. The simplest of these solutions naturally involves two 3-brane domain walls, which may be identified with the orbifold boundary planes; this solution also possesses an unbroken $\Z_2$ symmetry. Consideration of nearby excited solutions, truncated to the zero-mode and $\Z_2$ invariant sector, yields an effective D=4 heterotic theory displaying chirality and N=1, D=4 supersymmetry.