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Quantum obstructions for N=1 infinite distance limits. I. gs obstructions

Lukas Kaufmann, Jeroen Monnee, Timo Weigand, and Max Wiesner

  • II. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Hamburg, Notkestrasse 9, 22607 Hamburg, Germany and Zentrum für Mathematische Physik, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 126027 – Published 30 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/blb9-hrwd

Abstract

We analyze quantum obstructions to classical infinite distance limits in four-dimensional string compactifications with N=1 supersymmetry. Such quantum effects signal a severe departure from the perturbative effective action and can be of considerable importance for string model building. Our focus is on the complex structure moduli space of type IIB orientifolds with O7/O3-planes and its F-theory description. In this first part of our analysis, we investigate the behavior of gs corrections in infinite distance complex structure limits. Our main finding is that, depending on the location of the O7-plane, nonperturbative corrections in gs can become unsuppressed, thus obstructing a perturbative type IIB description in the corresponding asymptotic region of the field space. In particular, this applies to large complex structure limits. To show this, we study the F-theory description of the type IIB orientifold, in which all pure gs corrections are encoded in the (classical) geometry of an elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfold. This gs-corrected moduli space is found to differ significantly from the classical moduli space. In extreme cases the classical infinite distance degeneration can be completely removed at the gs-corrected quantum level. The behavior of α′ corrections, as well as implications for string model building, are discussed in a companion paper.

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Quantum obstructions for N=1 infinite distance limits. II. Kahler obstructions

Lukas Kaufmann, Jeroen Monnee, Timo Weigand, and Max Wiesner
Phys. Rev. D 113, 126028 (2026)

Article Text

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 126027– Published 30 June, 2026
  • Received 24 April 2026
  • Accepted 1 June 2026
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