Orbifolds of M theory

Dec, 1995
16 pages
Published in:
  • Nucl.Phys.B 465 (1996) 399-412
e-Print:
Report number:
  • TIFR-TH-95-64

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Abstract:
We study Z2-orbifolds of 11-dimensional M-theory on tori of various dimensions. The most interesting model (besides the known S1/Z2 case) corresponds to T5/Z2, for which we argue that the resulting six-dimensional theory is equivalent to the type IIB string compactified on K3. Gravitational anomaly cancellation plays a crucial role in determining what states appear in the twisted sector. Most of the other models appear to break spacetime supersymmetry. We observe that M-theory tends to produce chiral compactifications on orbifolds, and that our results may provide an insight into the mechanism by which twisted-sector states arise in this hypothetical theory.
Note:
  • Uses harvmac, 16 pages (b) or 18 pages (l) Report-no: TIFR/TH/95-64
  • M-theory
  • supersymmetry
  • dimension: 11
  • field theory: orbifold
  • string model
  • effective action
  • symmetry breaking
  • geometry: algebra