Strong-weak coupling duality and non-perturbative effects in string theory

A. Font, L. E. Ibáñez, D. Lüst, F. Quevedo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We conjecture the existence of a new discrete symmetry of the modular type relating weak and strong coupling in string theory. The existence of this symmetry would strongly constrain the non-perturbative behaviour in string partition functions and introduces the notion of a maximal (minimal) coupling constant. An effective lagrangian analysis suggests that the dilaton vacuum expectation value is dynamically fixed to be of order one. In supersymmetric heterotic strings, supersymmetry (as well as this modular symmetry itself) is generically spontaneously broken.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-43
Number of pages9
JournalPhysics Letters B
Volume249
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 11 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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