1996/12/31 by Paul S. Aspinwall · 78 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Exact solutions in general relativity #Gauge group #Gauge theory #Heterotic string theory #Instanton #Massless particle #Mathematical physics #Mathematics #Orbifold #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Physics #Pure mathematics #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Quantum electrodynamics #Quantum mechanics #String (physics) #Supergravity #Supermultiplet #Supersymmetry #Tensor (intrinsic definition) #Tensor field #Theoretical physics #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/s0550-3213(97)00232-0
published in Nuclear Physics B 496(1-2), 149-176 (Elsevier BV) · 30 pages, LaTeX2e+AMSTeX, one separate PS figure, many embedded figures, minor fixes
arxiv created 1997/02/04 · openalex publication_date 1997/07/01 · arxiv updated 2010/11/19 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We consider heterotic string theories compactified on a K3 surface which lead to an unbroken perturbative gauge group of Spin(32)/Z2. All solutions obtained are combinations of two types of point-like instanton --- one ``simple type'' as discovered by Witten and a new type associated to the ``generalized second Stiefel-Whitney class'' as introduced by Berkooz et al. The new type of instanton is associated to an enhancement of the gauge symmetry by Sp(4) and the addition of a massless tensor supermultiplet. It is shown that if four simple instantons coalesce at an orbifold point in the K3 surface then a massless tensor field appears which may be used to interpolate between the two types of instanton. By allowing various combinations of point-like instantons to coalesce, large gauge groups (e.g., rank 128) with many massless tensor supermultiplets result. The analysis is done in terms of F-theory.