Theta-problem and the String Swampland

Abstract

In the context of $\mathcal{N}=2$ supergravity without vector multiplets coupled to hypermultiplets, the coupling constant of graviphoton $τ$ is apriori a free parameter. Stringy realization of this and using a mathematical conjecture leads to the statement that $j(τ)\in \mathbb{R}$ so that the $θ$-angle is $0$ or $π$. We conjecture that for any consistent realization of $\mathcal{N}=2$ supergravity theories coupled only to hypermultiplets this is the case and the rest belong to the swampland. This leads to the speculation that the $θ$-angle for QCD or QED may also be fixed to $0$ for quantum gravitational consistency.

7 pages