Open Strings and Heterotic Instantons

Álvarez-García, Rafael; Kneißl, Christian; Leedom, Jacob M.; Righi, Nicole

doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2025.140037

Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-05779

Open Strings and Heterotic Instantons

Álvarez-García, R. (Corresponding author) ; Kneißl, C. ; Leedom, J. M.DESY* ; Righi, N.DESY*

2026
North-Holland Publ. Amsterdam

Physics letters / B 872, 140037 (2026) [10.1016/j.physletb.2025.140037]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2025.140037 doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-05779

Report No.: DESY 24-114; DESY-24-114; KCL-PH-TH/2024-44; MPP-2024-157; ZMP-HH/24-15; arXiv:2407.20319

Abstract: Motivated by closed string perturbation theory arguments by S. Shenker, we consider non-perturbative effects of characteristic strength $\mathcal{O}(e^{-1/g_{s}})$, with $g_{s}$ the closed string coupling constant, in supersymmetric critical heterotic string theories. We argue that in 10D such effects arise from heterotic 'D-instantons,' i.e. heterotic disk diagrams, whose existence relies on a non-trivial interplay between worldsheet and spacetime degrees of freedom. In compactifications of the $\mathrm{SemiSpin}(32)$ heterotic string, we argue that similar effects can arise from wrapped Euclidean non-BPS 'D-strings.' Two general principles arise: The first is that the consistency of those heterotic branes on which the fundamental string can end relies on an inflow mechanism for spacetime degrees of freedom. The second is that Shenker's argument, taken to its logical conclusion, implies that all closed string theories must exhibit open strings as well.

Keyword(s): Shenker effects ; Heterotic disk diagrams ; Open heterotic strings ; Stringy corrections ; Stringy instantons

Classification:

ddc:530

Note: 8 pages

Contributing Institute(s):

Theorie-Gruppe (T)

Research Program(s):

Experiment(s):

No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2026

Database coverage:
Medline

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