Dynamical compactification of extra dimensions in the Euclidean type IIB matrix model: A numerical study using the complex Langevin method

Abstract

The type IIB matrix model is conjectured to be a nonperturbative definition of type IIB superstring theory. In this model, spacetime is a dynamical quantity and compactification of extra dimensions can be realized via spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB). In this work, we consider a simpler, related, six dimensional model in its Euclidean version and study it numerically. Our calculations provide evidence that the SO(6) rotational symmetry of the model breaks down to SO(3), which means that the theory lives in a vacuum where 3 out of the 6 dimensions are large compared to the other 3. Our results show the same SSB pattern predicted by the Gaussian expansion method and that they are in quantitative agreement. The Monte Carlo simulations are hindered by a severe complex action problem which is addressed by applying the complex Langevin method.