Pablo Soler

Fencing in the swampland: quantum gravity constraints on large field inflation

A bstractIn this note we show that models of natural inflation based on closed string axions are incompatible with the weak gravity conjecture (WGC). Specifically, we use T- duality in order to map the bounds on the charge-to-mass ratio of particles imposed by the WGC, to constraints on the ratio between instanton actions and axion decay constants. We use this connection to prove that if the WGC holds, even when multiple axions are present and mix with each other, one cannot have large axion decay constants while remaining in a regime of perturbative control. We also discuss the extension of the WGC to discrete symmetries and its possible impact on models with axion monodromy, and the distinction between the strong and mild versions of the WGC. We argue that, if the strong version is violated, the constraints on large field inflation can be evaded while still satisfying the mild one. Finally, we offer some speculations regarding the import of these results to the general theory of inflation.

On axionic field ranges, loopholes and the weak gravity conjecture

A bstractIn this short note we clarify some aspects of the impact that the Weak Gravity Conjecture has on models of (generalized) natural inflation. We address in particular certain technical and conceptual concerns recently raised regarding the stringent constraints and conclusions found in our previous work [1]. We also point out the difficulties faced by attempts to evade these constraints. These new considerations improve the understanding of the quantum gravity constraints we found and further support the conclusion that it remains challenging for axions to drive natural inflation.

The Weak Gravity Conjecture in three dimensions

A bstractWe study weakly coupled U(1) theories in AdS3, their associated charged BTZ solutions, and their charged spectra. We find that modular invariance of the holographic dual two-dimensional CFT and compactness of the gauge group together imply the existence of charged operators with conformal dimension significantly below the black hole threshold. We regard this as a form of the Weak Gravity Conjecture (WGC) in three dimensions. We also explore the constraints posed by modular invariance on a particular discrete ℤN symmetry which arises in our discussion. In this case, modular invariance does not guarantee the existence of light ℤN -charged states. We also highlight the differences between our discussion and the usual heuristic arguments for the WGC based on black hole remnants.

Building a Stückelberg portal

A bstractWe construct explicit string theory models realizing the recently proposed “Stückelberg Portal” scenario, a framework for building Z′ mediation models without the need to introduce unwanted exotic matter charged under the Standard Model. This scenario can be viewed purely field-theoretically, although it is particularly well motivated from string theory. By analyzing carefully the Stückelberg couplings between the Abelian gauge bosons and the RR axions, we construct the first global intersecting brane models which extend the Standard Model with a genuine hidden sector, to which it is nonetheless connected via U(1) mass mixings. Utilizing the explicit models we construct, we discuss some broad phenomenological properties and experimental implications of this scenario such as Z − Z′ mixings, dark matter stability and relic density, and supersymmetry mediation. With an appropriate confining hidden sector, our setup also provides a minimal realization of the hidden valley scenario. We further explore the possibility of obtaining small Z′ masses from a large ensemble of U(1) bosons. Related to the Stückelberg portal are two mechanisms that connect the visible and the hidden sectors, namely mediation by non-perturbative operators and the hidden photon scenario, on which we briefly comment.

Millicharged Dark Matter in Quantum Gravity and String Theory

We examine the millicharged dark matter scenario from a string theory perspective. In this scenario, kinetic and mass mixings of the photon with extra U(1) bosons are claimed to give rise to small electric charges, carried by dark matter particles, whose values are determined by continuous parameters of the theory. This seems to contradict folk theorems of quantum gravity that forbid the existence of irrational charges in theories with a single massless gauge field. By considering the underlying structure of the U(1) mass matrix that appears in type II string compactifications, we show that millicharges arise exclusively through kinetic mixing, and require the existence of at least two exactly massless gauge bosons.

Isospin violating dark matter in Stückelberg portal scenarios

A bstractHidden sector scenarios in which dark matter (DM) interacts with the Standard Model matter fields through the exchange of massive Z′ bosons are well motivated by certain string theory constructions. In this work, we thoroughly study the phenomenological aspects of such scenarios and find that they present a clear and testable consequence for direct DM searches. We show that such string motivated Stückelberg portals naturally lead to isospin violating interactions of DM particles with nuclei. We find that the relations between the DM coupling to neutrons and protons for both, spin-independent (fn/fp) and spin-dependent (an/ap) interactions, are very flexible depending on the charges of the quarks under the extra U(1) gauge groups. We show that within this construction these ratios are generically different from ±1 (i.e. different couplings to protons and neutrons) leading to a potentially measurable distinction from other popular portals. Finally, we incorporate bounds from searches for dijet and dilepton resonances at the LHC as well as LUX bounds on the elastic scattering of DM off nucleons to determine the experimentally allowed values of fn/fp and an/ap.

The Weak Gravity Conjecture and the axionic black hole paradox

A bstractIn theories with a perturbatively massless 2-form (dual to an axion), a paradox may arise in the process of black hole evaporation. Schwarzschild black holes can support a non-trivial Wilson-line-type field, the integral of the 2-form around their horizon. After such an ‘axionic black hole’ evaporates, the Wilson line must be supported by the corresponding 3-form field strength in the region formerly occupied by the black hole. In the limit of small axion decay-constant f, the energy required for this field configuration is too large. Thus, energy cannot be conserved in the process of black hole evaporation. The natural resolution of this paradox is through the presence of light strings, which allow the black hole to “shed” its axionic hair sufficiently early. This gives rise to a new Weak-Gravity-type argument in the 2-form context: small coupling, in this case f , enforces the presence of light strings or a low cutoff. We also discuss how this argument may be modified in situations where the weak coupling regime is achieved in the low-energy effective theory through an appropriate gauging of a model with a vector field and two 2-forms.

Tunneling in Axion Monodromy

A bstractThe Coleman formula for vacuum decay and bubble nucleation has been used to estimate the tunneling rate in models of axion monodromy in recent literature. However, several of Coleman’s original assumptions do not hold for such models. Here we derive a new estimate with this in mind using a similar Euclidean procedure. We find that there are significant regions of parameter space for which the tunneling rate in axion monodromy is not well approximated by the Coleman formula. However, there is also a regime relevant to large field inflation in which both estimates parametrically agree. We also briefly comment on the applications of our results to the relaxion scenario.

Higgs Mechanism in Nonlocal Field Theories

A bstractWe study spontaneous gauge symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism in nonlocal field theories. Motivated by the level truncated action of string field theory, we consider a class of nonlocal field theories with an exponential factor of the d’Alembertian attached to the kinetic and mass terms. Modifications of this kind are known to make mild the UV behavior of loop diagrams and thus have been studied not only in the context of string theory but also as an alternative approach to quantum gravity. In this paper we argue that such a nonlocal theory potentially includes a ghost mode near the nonlocal scale in the particle spectrum of the symmetry broken phase. This is in sharp contrast to local field theories and would be an obstruction to making a simple nonlocal model a UV complete theory. We then discuss a possible way out by studying nonlocal theories with extra symmetries such as gauge symmetries in higher spacetime dimensions.