Orbifolds of M-theory
Abstract
We study Z 2-orbifolds of 11-dimensional M-theory on tori of various dimensions. The most interesting model (besides the known S 1/ Z2 case) corresponds to T 5/ 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.
- Publication:
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Nuclear Physics B
- Pub Date:
- February 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0550-3213(96)00070-3
- arXiv:
- arXiv:hep-th/9512196
- Bibcode:
- 1996NuPhB.465..399D
- Keywords:
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- High Energy Physics - Theory
- E-Print:
- Uses harvmac, 16 pages (b) or 20 pages (l). Minor changes, final version to appear in NPB