Mario Tonin

Bio: Mario Tonin is an academic researcher from University of Padua. The author has contributed to research in topics: Superspace & Supergravity. The author has an hindex of 24, co-authored 57 publications receiving 3236 citations. Previous affiliations of Mario Tonin include Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare.

Covariant Action for the Super-Five-Brane of M Theory

Abstract: We propose a complete, $d\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}6$ covariant and kappa-symmetric, action for the $M$ theory five-brane propagating in $D\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}11$ supergravity background. This opens a direct way of relating a wide class of super- $p$-brane solutions of string theory with the five-brane of $M$ theory, which should be useful for studying corresponding dualities and nonperturbative aspects of these theories.

Lorentz-invariant actions for chiral p-forms

Abstract: We demonstrate how a Lorentz-covariant formulation of the chiral p-form model in D=2(p+1) containing infinitely many auxiliary fields is related to a Lorentz-covariant formulation with only one auxiliary scalar field entering a chiral p-form action in a nonpolynomial way. The latter can be regarded as a consistent Lorentz-covariant truncation of the former. We make the Hamiltonian analysis of the model based on the nonpolynomial action and show that the Dirac constraints have a simple form and are all first class. In contrast with the Siegel model the constraints are not the square of second-class constraints. The canonical Hamiltonian is quadratic and determines the energy of a single chiral p-form. In the case of D=2 chiral scalars the constraint can be improved by use of a {open_quotes}twisting{close_quotes} procedure (without the loss of the property to be first class) in such a way that the central charge of the quantum constraint algebra is zero. This points to the possible absence of an anomaly in an appropriate quantum version of the model. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

Neutrino Mass and Mixing with Discrete Symmetry

Abstract: This is a review paper about neutrino mass and mixing and flavour model building strategies based on discrete family symmetry. After a pedagogical introduction and overview of the whole of neutrino physics, we focus on the PMNS mixing matrix and the latest global fits following the Daya Bay and RENO experiments which measure the reactor angle. We then describe the simple bimaximal, tri-bimaximal and golden ratio patterns of lepton mixing and the deviations required for a non-zero reactor angle, with solar or atmospheric mixing sum rules resulting from charged lepton corrections or residual trimaximal mixing. The different types of see-saw mechanism are then reviewed as well as the sequential dominance mechanism. We then give a mini-review of finite group theory, which may be used as a discrete family symmetry broken by flavons either completely, or with different subgroups preserved in the neutrino and charged lepton sectors. These two approaches are then reviewed in detail in separate chapters including mechanisms for flavon vacuum alignment and different model building strategies that have been proposed to generate the reactor angle. We then briefly review grand unified theories (GUTs) and how they may be combined with discrete family symmetry to describe all quark and lepton masses and mixing. Finally, we discuss three model examples which combine an SU(5) GUT with the discrete family symmetries A₄, S₄ and Δ(96).

A geometry for non-geometric string backgrounds

Abstract: A geometric string solution has background fields in overlapping coordinate patches related by diffeomorphisms and gauge transformations, while for a non-geometric background this is generalised to allow transition functions involving duality transformations. Non-geometric string backgrounds arise from T-duals and mirrors of flux compactifications, from reductions with duality twists and from asymmetric orbifolds. Strings in ` T-fold' backgrounds with a local $n$-torus fibration and T-duality transition functions in $O(n,n:\Z)$ are formulated in an enlarged space with a $T^{2n}$ fibration which is geometric, with spacetime emerging locally from a choice of a $T^n$ submanifold of each $T^{2n}$ fibre, so that it is a subspace or brane embedded in the enlarged space. T-duality acts by changing to a different $T^n$ subspace of $T^{2n}$. For a geometric background, the local choices of $T^n$ fit together to give a spacetime which is a $T^n$ bundle, while for non-geometric string backgrounds they do not fit together to form a manifold. In such cases spacetime geometry only makes sense locally, and the global structure involves the doubled geometry. For open strings, generalised D-branes wrap a $T^n$ subspace of each $T^{2n}$ fibre and the physical D-brane is the part of the part of the physical space lying in the generalised D-brane subspace.