K3 string theory, lattices and moonshine

Open Access
Authors
Publication date 09-2018
Journal Research in Mathematical Sciences
Article number 32
Volume | Issue number 5 | 3
Number of pages 45
Organisations
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Institute of Physics (IoP) - Institute for Theoretical Physics Amsterdam (ITFA)
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics (KdVI)
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Institute of Physics (IoP)
Abstract

In this paper, we address the following two closely related questions. First, we complete the classification of finite symmetry groups of type IIA string theory on K3 × R6,where Niemeier lattices play an important role. This extends earlier results by including points in the moduli space with enhanced gauge symmetries in spacetime, or, equivalently, where the world-sheet CFT becomes singular. After classifying the symmetries as abstract groups, we study how they act on the BPS states of the theory. In particular, we classify the conjugacy classes in the T-duality group O+4,20) which represent physically distinct symmetries. Subsequently, we make two conjectures regarding the connection between the corresponding twining genera of K3 CFTs and Conway and umbral moonshine, building upon earlier work on the relation between moonshine and the K3 elliptic genus.

Document type Article
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40687-018-0150-4
Other links https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85070850295
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