Computation of quark masses from string theory

Journal article

We present a numerical computation, based on neural network techniques, of the physical Yukawa couplings in a heterotic string theory compactification on a smooth Calabi-Yau threefold with non-standard embedding. The model belongs to a large class of heterotic line bundle models that have previously been identified and whose low-energy spectrum precisely matches that of the MSSM plus fields uncharged under the Standard Model group. The relevant quantities for the calculation, that is, the Ricci-flat Calabi-Yau metric, the Hermitian Yang-Mills bundle metrics and the harmonic bundle-valued forms, are all computed by training suitable neural networks. For illustration, we consider a one-parameter family in complex structure moduli space. The computation at each point along this locus takes about half a day on a single twelve-core CPU. Our results for the Yukawa couplings are estimated to be within 10% of the expected analytic result. We find that the effect of the matter field normalisation can be significant and can contribute towards generating hierarchical couplings. We also demonstrate that a zeroth order, semi-analytic calculation, based on the Fubini-Study metric and its counterparts for the bundle metric and the bundle-valued forms, leads to roughly correct results, about 25% away from the numerical ones. The method can be applied to other heterotic line bundle models and generalised to other constructions, including to F-theory models.

Authors: Constantin, A; Fraser-Taliente, CS; Harvey, TR; Lukas, A; Ovrut, B

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Nuclear Physics B
• Volume: 1010
• Article number: 116778
• Publication date: 2024-12-17
• Acceptance date: 2024-12-12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2024.116778
• EISSN: 1873-1562
• ISSN: 0550-3213
• Language: English