On the duality between perturbative heterotic orbifolds and M-theory on T⁴/Z_N

The heterotic E₈×E₈ string compactified on an orbifold T⁴/Z_N has gauge group G×G′ with (massless) states in its twisted sectors which are charged under both gauge group factors. In the dual M-theory on (T⁴/Z_N)⊗(S¹/Z₂) the two group factors are separated in the eleventh direction and the G and G′ gauge fields are confined to the two boundary planes, respectively. We present a scenario which allows for a resolution of this apparent paradox and assigns all massless matter multiplets locally to the different six-dimensional boundary fixed planes. The resolution consists of diagonal mixing between the gauge groups which live on the connecting seven-planes (6d and the eleventh dimension) and one of the gauge group factors. We present evidence supporting this mixing by considering gauge couplings and verify local anomaly cancellation. We also discuss open problems which arise in the presence of U₁ factors.