Events
Events at Physics |
Events on Monday, November 2nd, 2026
- Theory Seminar (High Energy/Cosmology)
- On Domain Walls Between String Theories
- Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 5280
- Speaker: Ethan Torres, IHES, Harvard
- Abstract: Several bottom-up arguments suggest that there exist finite energy-density domain walls separating any two quantum gravity vacua. Generically, such domain walls must be non-supersymmetric and have no known formulation in string perturbation theory. In this talk, I will detail nonperturbative matrix string theory constructions of domain walls separating various 10d and 9d string theory vacua. I will discuss how these constructions can be used to compute the energy densities of such walls, and how one can understand Callan-Rubakov-like subtleties of having a domain wall separating a chiral vacuum from a non-chiral vacuum. If time permits, I will also discuss the prospects for exploring the non-BPS brane spectrum of string/M-theory more generally.
- Host: Jakob Moritz