Theory HEP Seminar

Infinite additional symmetries in heterotic (1,0) sigma models

Marc-Antoine Fiset

University of Oxford

Conformal field theories with higher spin currents have been known to govern type II string dynamics in exceptional holonomy manifolds since the work of Shatashvili and Vafa. From a nonlinear sigma-model viewpoint, the reduction of holonomy yields chiral symmetries extending (1,1) supersymmetry. I will generalise this result to generic (1,0) models with Fermi superfields, appropriate in particular for heterotic compactifications. I will then comment on anomalies of these symmetries, as a first step to bridge the gap between target space geometry and abstract conformal field theory. Based on work to appear shortly, joint with Xenia de la Ossa.