M-theory on $S^1\vee S^1$ as Type 0A

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Baykara, Zihni Kaan, Dudas, Emilian, Vafa, Cumrun
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Baykara, Zihni Kaan
Dudas, Emilian
Vafa, Cumrun
author_facet Baykara, Zihni Kaan
Dudas, Emilian
Vafa, Cumrun
contents We propose an exotic geometric M-theory dual for the weak coupling Type 0A string: compactification on a sub-Planckian $S^1\vee S^1$ (two circles connected at a point), where strong quantum effects lead to fields living on distinct resolutions of that space. Moreover we argue that tachyon condensation of the 0A theory corresponds to shrinking of one of the two circles leading to the IIA supersymmetric string. We use this and other dualities to provide an F-theoretic description of the axio-dilaton and the tachyonic field of Type 0B and argue for the existence of a strong coupling critical point of the potential using the resulting duality symmetry $Γ_0(2)\subset SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ when tachyon field vanishes. The existence of this critical point can also be argued using conventional M-theory dualities. If this critical point is unique it is an unstable dS vacuum. Using this we propose a strong coupling conformal fixed point for a non-supersymmetric gauge theory in four dimensions living on coincident $D3^+-D3^-$branes of 0B. More generally we conjecture that the tachyon field can be identified with a pair of points on the torus parameterized by $z$ leading to the full duality group $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ acting on $(z,τ)$. We find tantalizing hints that for both 0A and 0B the tachyon fields can be identified with the holonomy of a flat $SU(2)$ gauge field suggesting that we have two copies of the universe interacting with one another as if they are D-branes!
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_13468
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle M-theory on $S^1\vee S^1$ as Type 0A
Baykara, Zihni Kaan
Dudas, Emilian
Vafa, Cumrun
High Energy Physics - Theory
We propose an exotic geometric M-theory dual for the weak coupling Type 0A string: compactification on a sub-Planckian $S^1\vee S^1$ (two circles connected at a point), where strong quantum effects lead to fields living on distinct resolutions of that space. Moreover we argue that tachyon condensation of the 0A theory corresponds to shrinking of one of the two circles leading to the IIA supersymmetric string. We use this and other dualities to provide an F-theoretic description of the axio-dilaton and the tachyonic field of Type 0B and argue for the existence of a strong coupling critical point of the potential using the resulting duality symmetry $Γ_0(2)\subset SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ when tachyon field vanishes. The existence of this critical point can also be argued using conventional M-theory dualities. If this critical point is unique it is an unstable dS vacuum. Using this we propose a strong coupling conformal fixed point for a non-supersymmetric gauge theory in four dimensions living on coincident $D3^+-D3^-$branes of 0B. More generally we conjecture that the tachyon field can be identified with a pair of points on the torus parameterized by $z$ leading to the full duality group $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ acting on $(z,τ)$. We find tantalizing hints that for both 0A and 0B the tachyon fields can be identified with the holonomy of a flat $SU(2)$ gauge field suggesting that we have two copies of the universe interacting with one another as if they are D-branes!
title M-theory on $S^1\vee S^1$ as Type 0A
topic High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.13468