2006/04/26 by Simeon Hellerman, Hellerman, Simeon, Johannes Walcher +1 · 4 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algebraic structures and combinatorial models #FOS: Physical sciences #Geometric and Algebraic Topology #High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th) #Homotopy and Cohomology in Algebraic Topology #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.hep-th/0604191
64 pages
arxiv created 2006/04/26 · openalex publication_date 2006/04/26 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We resolve a puzzle in the theory of strings propagating on locally flat spacetimes with nontrivial Wilson lines for stringy ZN gauge symmetries. We find that strings probing such backgrounds are described by consistent worldsheet CFTs. The level mismatch in the twisted sectors is compensated by adjusting the quantization of momentum of strings winding around the Wilson line direction in units of 1/(N2 R) rather than 1/(N R), as might have been classically expected. We demonstrate in various examples how this improvement of the naive orbifold prescription leads to satisfaction of general physical principles such as level matching and closure of the OPE. Applying our techniques to construct a Wilson line for T-duality of a torus in the type II string (``T-fold''), we find a new 7D solution with N=1 SUSY where the moduli of the fiber torus are fixed. When the size of the base becomes small this simple monodrofold exhibits enhanced gauge symmetry and a self-T-duality on the S1 base.