Taxonomy of infinite distance limits

The Emergent String Conjecture constrains the possible types of light towers in infinite-distance limits in quantum gravity moduli spaces. In this paper, we use these constraints to restrict the geometry of the scalar charge-to-mass vectors (−∇→ log m) of the light towers and the analogous vector (−∇→ log ΛQG) of the species scale. We derive taxonomic rules that these vectors must satisfy in each duality frame. Under certain assumptions, this allows us to classify the ways in which different duality frames can fit together globally in the moduli space in terms of a finite list of polytopes. Many of these polytopes arise in known string theory compactifications, while others suggest either undiscovered corners of the landscape or new swampland constraints.

Publication Details

Journal
Durham Research Online (Durham University)
Published
2025-03-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/jhep03%282025%29213
Primary Topic
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Taxonomy of infinite distance limits

Durham Research Online (Durham University)
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
article

Taxonomy of infinite distance limits

article en

Abstract

The Emergent String Conjecture constrains the possible types of light towers in infinite-distance limits in quantum gravity moduli spaces. In this paper, we use these constraints to restrict the geometry of the scalar charge-to-mass vectors (−∇→ log m) of the light towers and the analogous vector (−∇→ log ΛQG) of the species scale. We derive taxonomic rules that these vectors must satisfy in each duality frame. Under certain assumptions, this allows us to classify the ways in which different duality frames can fit together globally in the moduli space in terms of a finite list of polytopes. Many of these polytopes arise in known string theory compactifications, while others suggest either undiscovered corners of the landscape or new swampland constraints.

Durham Research Online (Durham University)
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Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
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Taxonomy of infinite distance limits · Durham Research Online (Durham University) (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS