Higher-Order Corrections to Non-Compact Calabi-Yau Manifolds in String Theory

Abstract

At the leading order, the low-energy effective field equations in string theory admit solutions of the form of products of Minkowski spacetime and a Ricci-flat Calabi-Yau space. The equations of motion receive corrections at higher orders in α', which imply that the Ricci-flat Calabi-Yau space is modified. In an appropriate choice of scheme, the Calabi-Yau space remains Kahler, but is no longer Ricci-flat. We discuss the nature of these corrections at order {α'}^3, and consider the deformations of all the known cohomogeneity one non-compact Kahler metrics in six and eight dimensions. We do this by deriving the first-order equations associated with the modified Killing-spinor conditions, and we thereby obtain the modified supersymmetric solutions. We also give a detailed discussion of the boundary terms for the Euler complex in six and eight dimensions, and apply the results to all the cohomogeneity one examples.

Latex, 49 pages. References added, typos corrected, and discussion and conclusions extended