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arXiv · 2604.07433

A Duality Web for Non-Supersymmetric Strings

Zihni Kaan Baykara·Matilda Delgado·Emilian Dudas·Hector Parra De Freitas·Cumrun Vafa
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Abstract

Motivated by the recently proposed geometric descriptions of 0A and 0B in M-theory and F-theory, we propose a web of duality among non-supersymmetric strings. In particular we argue that the distinct $\mathbb{Z}_2$ quotients of M-theory on $S^1\vee S^1$ lead to both 0A orientifolds as well as non-supersymmetric 10d heterotic vacua of the E-type, including the tachyon-free $SO(16)\times SO(16)$ strings. Moreover we identify certain $\mathbb{Z}_2$ quotients of F-theory on $(S^1\vee S^1)\times S^1$ with 0B orientifolds (including a tachyon-free model) as well as others with dual to non-supersymmetric heterotic strings of the D-type. Moreover using this picture we resolve some puzzles and provide further evidence for the Bergman-Gaberdiel duality between a particular 0B orientifold in 10 dimensions and the Narain compactification of 26-dimensional bosonic strings on a 16-dimensional torus, as well as the DMS conjecture of a 0A orientifold duality in 10d with a bosonic string orientifold of a Narain compactification to 10d.

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Zihni Kaan Baykara, Matilda Delgado, Emilian Dudas, Hector Parra De Freitas, Cumrun Vafa. 2026-04-08. A Duality Web for Non-Supersymmetric Strings. https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.07433

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