Symmetries of \(K3\) sigma models (Q2392082)

The spacetime supersymmetry preserving automorphisms of the non-linear \(\sigma\)-model at an arbitrary point in the moduli space of \(K_3\) is studied. It is shown that such automorphisms generate a subgroup of the Conway group \(Co_1\). This result is considered as a stringy generalization of the Mukai-Kondo theorem showing that the symplectic automorphisms of any \(K_3\) manifold is a subgroup of the Mathieu group \(M_{24}\). Three distinct conformal field theories describing \(K_3\) at different points in moduli space are studied in detail: (A) the orbifold point \(\mathbb T^4/\mathbb Z_2\); (B) the orbifold point \(\mathbb T^4/\mathbb Z_4\) which is equivalent to the Gepner model \((2)^4\); (C) the Gepner model \((1)^6\). In each case it is proven that their symmetries do not form a subgroup of \(M_{24}\), but lie inside of the Conway group \(Co_1\). Details of the proof of the basic Theorem and of the D-brane charge analysis for the Gepner models as well as some basic mathematical backgrounds are given in three Appendices.