(Mis-)aligned Winding in and applying Genetic Algorithms to Type IIB String Theory

<!--HTML-->This talk will be divided into two parts. In the first part, I focus on the attempt to construct effective axions with parametrically large decay constants in type IIB string models summarising work with A. Hebecker and D. Junghans (arXiv: 1812.05626). I argue that such axions can be realised as long winding trajectories in complex-structure moduli space by an appropriate flux choice. The simplest models with aligned winding in a 2-axion field space fail due to a general no-go theorem. However, equally simple models with misaligned winding appear to have large decay constants but no large monotonic regions in the potential. I also show that the no-go theorem can be avoided by aligning three or more axions which in principle allows large decay constants and large monotonic regions in the potential. These results may be used to argue against the refined Swampland Distance Conjecture and strong forms of the axionic Weak Gravity Conjecture. The second part of this talk concerns the applications of genetic algorithms to the landscape of type IIB flux vacua based on work with A. Cole and G. Shiu. I argue that genetic algorithms are an efficient method to scan the landscape for viable solutions. More specifically, I consider a symmetric $T^{6}$ as well as the conifold region of a Calabi-Yau hypersurface to prove that genetic algorithms are powerful tools to find flux vacua with interesting phenomenological properties. I discuss different applications such as the minimisation of the cosmological constant or the search for appropriate mass scales.