T-Duality on Torus: Inverting Radii & Interchanging A- & B-Cycles

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on T-duality in the context of a 2-torus, specifically addressing whether both radii can be inverted simultaneously or if inverting one radius while keeping the other fixed yields the same physical results. The consensus leans towards the latter, suggesting that inverting both radii is equivalent to interchanging the A-cycle and B-cycle of the torus. The transformations related to T-duality are part of the enlarged group O(d,d;ℤ), which includes various transformations such as R → 1/R and basis changes of the torus lattice. A key reference for further understanding is provided, detailing the generators of this group.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of T-duality in string theory
  • Familiarity with toroidal compactifications
  • Knowledge of the mathematical structure of the group O(d,d;ℤ)
  • Basic concepts of A-cycles and B-cycles in topology
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical implications of T-duality transformations in string theory
  • Explore the structure and properties of the group O(d,d;ℤ)
  • Investigate the physical interpretations of A-cycle and B-cycle interchanges
  • Read section 2.4 of the reference document at http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9401139 for detailed generator descriptions
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, string theorists, and mathematicians interested in the geometric aspects of T-duality and its implications in higher-dimensional theories.

"pi"mp
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I think I have a relatively decent grasp on T-duality where we've compactified S^{1}. However, when compactifying a 2-torus, is the T-duality transformation where you invert both radii of the two circles simultaneously, or is the claim that you can invert one of the two, leaving the other fixed, and yield the same physics?

I suspect that it's the second choice. If indeed this is the case, is there anything at all special about the case where you invert both radii simultaneously? I believe this is equivalent to merely interchanging the A-cycle and B-cycle on the torus.

Thanks in advance :)
 
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On a ##d## torus, the T-duality is actually enlarged a group ##O(d,d;\mathbb{Z})## of transformations. Some of these are analogous to ##R\rightarrow 1/R##, but others involve a change of basis of the lattice of the torus (which includes the coordinate redefinition that swaps the A and B-cycles.) So we can perform these transformations singly or compose them to form more complicated transformations.

A standard reference on this is http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9401139. More specifically, that group is described in section 2.4, where the 3 types of generators are explained on pages 23-4.
 
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