Exact heterotic black branes show temperature-linked instability

What the study found: The authors report new exact analytic solutions for non-supersymmetric black branes in 10-dimensional heterotic supergravity. Their analysis indicates that, as temperature decreases, a spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs and is accompanied by gauge field condensation and dynamical instability.
Why the authors say this matters: The study suggests these phase transition phenomena can be used to examine the phase structure of black hole solutions. The authors conclude this may help systematically discover and classify stringy black holes, and they note that the instability analytically predicts unknown black hole solutions.
What the researchers tested: The researchers constructed exact black brane solutions carrying two kinds of gauge charges in 10-dimensional heterotic supergravity. They also performed a perturbative analysis of a non-Abelian gauge field on this background and used it to study temperature-dependent behavior.
What worked and what didn't: The exact solutions were found successfully and extend recent work on the classification of heterotic branes. The perturbative analysis found a spontaneous symmetry breaking at lower temperature, along with gauge field condensation and a dynamical instability; the abstract does not describe any failing approach beyond this instability.
What to keep in mind: The abstract does not provide quantitative details, such as the temperature range or the precise form of the solutions. It also does not state explicit limitations beyond noting that the predicted black hole solutions remain to be found.

Key points

• New exact analytic solutions are reported for non-supersymmetric black branes in 10-dimensional heterotic supergravity.
• The solutions carry two kinds of gauge charges and extend recent classification work on heterotic branes.
• A perturbative analysis of a non-Abelian gauge field indicates spontaneous symmetry breaking as temperature decreases.
• The lower-temperature behavior is accompanied by gauge field condensation and dynamical instability.
• The authors say this may help study phase structure and systematically classify stringy black holes.