On the duality of F-theory and the CHL string in seven dimensions

Abstract

We show that the duality between F-theory and the CHL string in seven dimensions defines algebraic correspondences between K3 surfaces polarized by the rank-ten lattices $H \oplus N$ and $H\oplus E_8(-2)$. In the special case when the F-theory admits an additional anti-symplectic involution or, equivalently, the CHL string admits a symplectic one, both moduli spaces coincide. In this case, we derive an explicit parametrization for the F-theory compactifications dual to the CHL string, using an auxiliary genus-one curve, based on a construction given by Andr\'e Weil.