Axions and the Strong CP Problem in M-theory

We examine the possibility that the strong CP problem is solved by string-theoretic axions in strong-coupling limit of the E_8 x E_8 heterotic string theory (M-theory). We first discuss some generic features of gauge kinetic functions in compactified M-theory, and examine in detail the axion potential induced by the explicit breakings other than the QCD anomaly of the non-linear U(1)_{PQ} symmetries of string-theoretic axions. It is argued based on supersymmetry and discrete gauge symmetries that if the compactification radius is large enough, there can be a U(1)_{PQ}-symmetry whose breaking other than the QCD anomaly, whatever its microscopic origin is, is suppressed enough for the axion mechanism to work. Phenomenological viability of such a large radius crucially depends upon the quantized coefficients in gauge kinetic functions. We note that the large radius required for the axion mechanism is viable only in a limited class of models. For instance, for compactifications on a smooth Calabi-Yau manifold with a vanishing second E_8 field strength, it is viable only when the quantized flux of the antisymmetric tensor field in M-theory has a minimal nonzero value. It is also stressed that this large compactification radius allows the QCD axion in M-theory to be cosmologically viable in the presence of a late time entropy production.

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