Target Space Duality for (0,2) Compactifications

The moduli spaces of two (0,2) compactifications of the heterotic string can share the same Landau-Ginzburg model even though at large radius they look completely different. It was argued that such a pair of (0,2) models might be connected via a perturbative transition at the Landau-Ginzburg point. Situations of this kind are studied for some explicit models. By calculating the exact dimensions of the generic moduli spaces at large radius, strong indications are found in favor of a different scenario. The two moduli spaces are isomorphic and complex, K\"ahler and bundle moduli get exchanged.Comment: 22 pages, TeX, harvmac, (minor changes, references added

Miracle at the Gepner Point

A four-point function of $E_6$ singlets, of interest in elucidating the moduli space of (0,2) deformations of the quintic string vacuum, is computed using analytic and numerical methods. The conformal field theory amplitude satisfies the requisite selection rules and monodromy conditions, but the integrated string amplitude vanishes. Together with selection rules coming from the spacetime R-symmetry \dksecond, this demonstrates the flatness of the gauge-singlet spacetime superpotential through fourth order. Relevance to the more general program of determining the (0,2) moduli space and superpotential is discussed.Comment: 10 pages, harvmac. Reference completed

Group extensions with special properties

Given a group G and a G-module A, we show how to determine up to isomorphism the extensions E of A by G so that A embeds as smallest non-trivial term of the derived series or of the lower central series into E.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure

Singlet Couplings and (0,2) Models

We use the quantum symmetries present in string compactification on Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds to prove the existence of a large class of exactly marginal (0,2) deformations of (2,2) superconformal theories. Analogous methods apply to the more general (0,2) models introduced in \DK, lending further credence to the fact that the corresponding \LG\ models represent bona-fide (0,2) SCFTs. We also use the large symmetry groups which arise when the worldsheet superpotential is turned off to constrain the dependence of certain correlation functions on the untwisted moduli. This allows us to approach the problem of what happens when one tries to deform away from the \LG\ point. In particular, we find that the masses and three-point couplings of the massless $E_{6}$ singlets related to {\rm H^{1}}(\ET) vanish at all points in the quintic \Ka\ moduli space. Putting these results together, and invoking some plausible dynamical assumptions about the corresponding linear \sm s, we show that one can deform these \LG\ theories to arbitrary values of the \Ka\ moduli.Comment: 22pp, harvmac+epsf, 2 figures included with uufiles, PUPT-146

Non-Supersymmetric Conformal Field Theories from Stable Anti-de Sitter Spaces

We describe new non-supersymmetric conformal field theories in three and four dimensions, using the CFT/AdS correspondence. In order to believe in their existence at large N_c and strong 't Hooft coupling, we explicitly check the stability of the corresponding non-supersymmetric anti-de Sitter backgrounds. Cases of particular interest are the relevant deformations of the N=4 SCFT in SU(3) and SO(5) invariant directions. It turns out that the former is a stable, and the latter an unstable non-supersymmetric type IIB background.Comment: 35 pages, 4 figures (published version

Some Features of (0,2) Moduli Space

We discuss some aspects of perturbative $(0,2)$ Calabi-Yau moduli space. In particular, we show how models with different $(0,2)$ data can meet along various sub-loci in their moduli space. In the simplest examples, the models differ by the choice of desingularization of a holomorphic V-bundle over the same resolved Calabi-Yau base while in more complicated examples, even the smooth Calabi-Yau base manifolds can be topologically distinct. These latter examples extend and clarify a previous observation which was limited to singular Calabi-Yau spaces and seem to indicate a multicritical structure in moduli space. This should have a natural F-theory counterpart in terms of the moduli space of Calabi-Yau four-folds.Comment: 32 pages, 2 eps figures, harvma

Chiral Symmetry Breaking in the AdS/CFT Correspondence

We study the SU(3)-invariant relevant deformation of D=4 N=4 SU(N) gauge theory at large N using the AdS/CFT correspondence. At low energies, we obtain a nonsupersymmetric gauge theory with three left-handed quarks in the adjoint of SU(N). In terms of the five dimensional gauged supergravity, there is an unstable critical point in the scalar potential for fluctuations of some fields in a nontrivial representation of the symmetry group SU(3). On the field theory side, this corresponds to dynamical breaking of the SU(3) chiral symmetry down to SO(3). We compute the condensate of the quark bilinear and the two-point correlation function of the spontaneously broken currents from supergravity and find a nonzero `pion' decay constant, f_pi.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure. LaTeX2e, using utarticle.cls (included). Several clarifications and added references. This is the published version, to appear in JHE

(0,2) Target Space Duality, CICYs and Reflexive Sheaves

It is shown that the recently proposed target space duality for (0,2) models is not limited to models admitting a Landau-Ginzburg description. By studying some generic examples it is established for the broader class of vector bundles over complete intersections in toric varieties. Instead of sharing a common Landau-Ginzburg locus, a pair of dual models agrees in more general non-geometric phases. The mathematical tools for treating reflexive sheaves are provided, as well.Comment: 20 pages, TeX, harvma