Chris D. A. Blair

The OD, D geometry of string theory

We construct an action for double field theory using a metric connection that is compatible with both the generalised metric and the OD, D structure. The connection is simultaneously torsionful and flat. Using this connection, one may construct a proper covariant derivative for double field theory. We then write the doubled action in terms of the generalised torsion of this connection. This action then exactly reproduces that required for double field theory and gauged supergravity.

M-theory and type IIB from a duality manifest action

A bstractWe revisit the SL(5) U-duality manifest action constructed by Berman and Perry in an extended spacetime. Upon choosing a four-dimensional solution to the section condition constraint, the theory reduces to a four-dimensional truncation of eleven-dimensional supergravity. In this paper, we show that the theory contains more than this M-theory reduction. The section condition also admits an SL(5) inequivalent three-dimensional solution, upon which the action directly reduces to a three-dimensional truncation of type IIB supergravity. We also discuss the reduction to IIB∗ supergravity.

Geometry and fluxes of SL(5) exceptional field theory

A bstractWe use a geometric approach to construct a flux formulation for the SL(5) U-duality manifest exceptional field theory. The resulting formalism is well-suited for studying gauged supergravities with geometric and non-geometric fluxes. Here we describe all such fluxes for both M-theory and IIB supergravity including the Ramond-Ramond fields for compactifications to seven dimensions. We define the locally non-geometric “R-flux” and globally non-geometric “Q-flux” for M-theory and find a new locally non-geometric R-flux for the IIB theory. We show how these non-geometric fluxes can be understood geometrically and give some examples of how they can be generated by acting with dualities on solutions with geometric or field-strength flux.

An O(D, D) invariant Hamiltonian action for the superstring

We construct O(D, D) invariant actions for the bosonic string and RNS superstring, using Hamiltonian methods and ideas from double field theory. In this framework the doubled coordinates of double field theory appear as coordinates on phase space, and T-duality becomes a canonical transformation. Requiring the algebra of constraints to close leads to the section condition, which splits the phase space coordinates into spacetime coordinates and momenta.

Conserved currents of double field theory

A bstractWe find the conserved current associated to invariance under generalised diffeomorphisms in double field theory. This can be used to define a generalised Komar integral. We comment on its applications to solutions, in particular to the fundamental string/pp-wave. We also discuss the current in the context of Scherk-Schwarz compactifications. We calculate the current for both the original double field theory action, corresponding to the NSNS sector alone, and for the RR sector.

Non-commutativity and non-associativity of the doubled string in non-geometric backgrounds

A bstractWe use a T-duality invariant action to investigate the behaviour of a string in non-geometric backgrounds, where there is a non-trivial global O(D, D) patching or monodromy. This action leads to a set of Dirac brackets describing the dynamics of the doubled string, with these brackets determined only by the monodromy. This allows for a simple derivation of non-commutativity and non-associativity in backgrounds which are (even locally) non-geometric. We focus here on the example of the three-torus with H-flux, finding non-commutativity but not non-associativity. We also comment on the relation to the exotic 522 brane, which shares the same monodromy.

Particle actions and brane tensions from double and exceptional geometry

A bstractMassless particles in n + 1 dimensions lead to massive particles in n dimensions on Kaluza-Klein reduction. In string theory, wrapped branes lead to multiplets of massive particles in n dimensions, in representations of a duality group G. By encoding the masses of these particles in auxiliary worldline scalars, also transforming under G, we write an action which resembles that for a massless particle on an extended spacetime. We associate this extended spacetime with that appearing in double field theory and exceptional field theory, and formulate a version of the action which is invariant under the generalised diffeomorphism symmetry of these theories. This provides a higher-dimensional perspective on the origin of mass and tension in string theory and M-theory. Finally, we consider the reduction of exceptional field theory on a twisted torus, which is known to give the massive IIA theory of Romans. In this case, our particle action leads naturally to the action for a D0 brane in massive IIA. Here an extra vector field is present on the worldline, whose origin in exceptional field theory is a vector field introduced to ensure invariance under generalised diffeomorphisms.

Doubled strings, negative strings and null waves

A bstractWe revisit the fundamental string (F1) solution in the doubled formalism. We show that the wave-like solution of double field theory (DFT) corresponding to the F1/pp-wave duality pair is more properly a solution of the DFT action coupled to a doubled sigma model action. The doubled string configuration which sources the pp-wave can be thought of as static gauge with the string oriented in a dual direction. We also discuss the DFT solution corresponding to a vibrating string, carrying both winding and momentum. We further show that the solution dual to the F1 in both time and space can be viewed as a “negative string” solution. Negative branes are closely connected to certain exotic string theories which involve unusual signatures for both spacetime and brane worldvolumes. In order to better understand this from the doubled point of view, we construct a variant of DFT suitable for describing theories in which the fundamental string has a Euclidean worldsheet, for which T-dualities appear to change the spacetime signature.

One Monopole with k Singularities

We present all charge one monopole solutions of the Bogomolny equation with k prescribed Dirac singularities for the gauge groups U(2), SO(3), or SU(2). We analyze these solutions comparing them to the previously known expressions for the cases of one or two singularities.

Black hole thermodynamics, stringy dualities and double field theory

We discuss black hole thermodynamics in the manifestly duality invariant formalism of double field theory (DFT). We reformulate and prove the first law of black hole thermodynamics in DFT, using the covariant phase space approach. After splitting the full O(D, D) invariant DFT into a Kaluza-Klein-inspired form where only n coordinates are doubled, our results provide explicit duality invariant mass and entropy formulas. We illustrate how this works by discussing the black fundamental string solution and its T-duals.