String Universality and Non-Simply-Connected Gauge Groups in 8D.

We present a consistency condition for 8D N=1 supergravity theories with nontrivial global structure G/Z for the non-Abelian gauge group, based on an anomaly involving the Z 1-form center symmetry. The interplay with other swampland criteria identifies the majority of 8D theories with gauge group G/Z, which have no string theory realization, as inconsistent quantum theories when coupled to gravity. While this condition is equivalent to geometric properties of elliptic K3 surfaces in F-theory compactifications, it constrains the unexplored landscape of gauge groups in other 8D string models.

Quadrillion F-Theory Compactifications with the Exact Chiral Spectrum of the Standard Model.

We present O(10^{15}) string compactifications with the exact chiral spectrum of the standard model of particle physics. This ensemble of globally consistent F-theory compactifications automatically realizes gauge coupling unification. Utilizing the power of algebraic geometry, all global consistency conditions can be reduced to a single criterion on the base of the underlying elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds. For toric bases, this criterion only depends on an associated polytope and is satisfied for at least O(10^{15}) bases, each of which defines a distinct compactification.

Thermodynamics of Asymptotically Conical Geometries.

We study the thermodynamical properties of a class of asymptotically conical geometries known as "subtracted geometries." We derive the mass and angular momentum from the regulated Komar integral and the Hawking-Horowitz prescription and show that they are equivalent. By deriving the asymptotic charges, we show that the Smarr formula and the first law of thermodynamics hold. We also propose an analog of Christodulou-Ruffini inequality. The analysis can be generalized to other asymptotically conical geometries.

Hierarchies from D-brane instantons in globally defined Calabi-Yau orientifolds.

We construct the first globally consistent semirealistic type I string vacua on an elliptically fibered manifold where the zero modes of the Euclidean D1-instanton sector allow for the generation of nonperturbative Majorana masses of an intermediate scale. In another class of global models, a D1-brane instanton can generate a Polonyi-type superpotential breaking supersymmetry at an exponentially suppressed scale.

Nonperturbative yukawa couplings from string instantons.

Nonperturbative D-brane instantons can generate perturbatively absent though phenomenologically relevant couplings for type II orientifold compactifications with D-branes. We discuss the generation of the perturbatively vanishing SU(5) GUT Yukawa coupling of type <10 10 5(H)>. Moreover, for a simple globally consistent intersecting D6-brane model, we discuss the generation of mass terms for matter fields. This can serve as a mechanism for decoupling exotic matter.

General N=1 supersymmetric flux vacua of massive type IIA string theory.

We derive conditions for the existence of four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric flux vacua of massive type IIA string theory with general supergravity fluxes turned on. For an SU(3) singlet Killing spinor, we show that such flux vacua exist when the internal geometry is nearly Kähler. The geometry is not warped, all the allowed fluxes are proportional to the mass parameter, and the dilaton is fixed by a ratio of (quantized) fluxes. The four-dimensional cosmological constant, while negative, becomes small in the vacuum with the weak string coupling.