$G_2$ flux compactifications

Abstract

We derive the three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ effective theories obtained by compactifying all five ten-dimensional string theories on generic seven-dimensional manifolds with $G_2$ structure. The resulting flux compactifications are worked out explicitly, including the full moduli dependence of the scalar potential, kinetic terms, axionic sectors, gauge fields, St\"uckelberg couplings, and the allowed geometric and form-flux data. Our results extend previous analyses by incorporating fields and fluxes that are generically present in $G_2$ reductions, and provide a unified framework for comparing type IIA, type IIB, type I and heterotic compactifications to three dimensions. In particular, the effective theories organize naturally in terms of the real superpotential formulation of three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ supergravity, making the relation between fluxes, torsion, Chern--Simons data, and moduli potentials manifest.