We study the properties of walls of marginal stability for BPS decays in a class of N=2 theories. These theories arise in N=2 string compactifications obtained as freely acting orbifolds of N=4 theories, such theories include the STU model and the FHSV model. The cross sections of these walls for a generic decay in the axion-dilaton plane reduce to lines or circles. From the continuity properties of walls of marginal stability we show that central charges of BPS states do not vanish in the interior of the moduli space. Given a charge vector of a BPS state corresponding to a large black hole in these theories, we show that all walls of marginal stability intersect at the same point in the lower half of the axion-dilaton plane. We isolate a class of decays whose walls of marginal stability always lie in a region bounded by walls formed by decays to small black holes. This enables us to isolate a region in moduli space for which no decays occur within this class. We then study entropy enigma decays for such models and show that for generic values of the moduli, that is when moduli are of order one compared to the charges, entropy enigma decays do not occur in these models.
We investigate analytic classical solutions in open string field theory which are constructed in terms of marginal operators. In the classical background, we evaluate a coupling between an on-shell closed string state and the open string field. The resulting coupling exhibits periodic behavior as expected from the marginal boundary deformation of background Wilson lines or a marginal tachyon lump. We confirm that the solutions in open string field theory correspond to a class of marginal deformations in conformal field theory.
We construct the partition function of 1/8 BPS dyons in type II string theory on T^6 from counting of microstates of a D1-D5 system in Taub-NUT space. Our analysis extends the earlier ones by Shih, Strominger and Yin and by Pioline by taking into account the walls of marginal stability on which a 1/8 BPS dyon can decay into a pair of half-BPS dyons. Across these walls the dyon spectrum changes discontinuously, and as a result the spectrum is not manifestly invariant under S-duality transformation of the charges. However the partition function is manifestly S-duality invariant and takes the sam…
The spectrum of quarter BPS dyons in N=4 supersymmetric string theories can change as the asymptotic moduli cross walls of marginal stability on which the dyon can break apart into a pair of half BPS states. In this paper we classify these marginal stability walls and examine this phenomenon in the context of exact dyon spectrum found in a class of N=4 supersymmetric string theories. We argue that the dyon partition functions in different domains separated by marginal stability walls are the same, but the choice of integration contour needed for extracting the degeneracies from the partition f…
We consider bosonic open string field theory in marginally deformed backgrounds, which is obtained by expanding the string field around the identity-based solutions associated with marginal deformations. We find a new set of string fields which satisfies the KBc algebra, but the nilpotent kinetic operator is that of the theory expanded around the identity-based marginal solution. By use of these string fields, we construct the tachyon vaccum solution in marginally deformed backgrounds. The vacuum energy density is equivalent to that of the tachyon vacuum without marginal deformations. The gaug…
We explore the properties of non-BPS multi-centre extremal black holes in ungauged N=2 supergravity coupled to n_v vector multiplets, as described by solutions to the composite non-BPS linear system. After setting up an explicit description that allows for arbitrary non-BPS charges to be realised at each centre, we study the structure of the resulting solutions. Using these results, we prove that the binding energy of the composite is always positive and we show explicitly the existence of walls of marginal stability for generic choices of charges. The two-centre solutions only exist on a hype…
We have constructed a bulk & brane action of IIA theory which describes a pair of BPS domain walls on S_1/Z_2, with strings attached. The walls are given by two orientifold O8-planes with coincident D8-branes and `F1-D0'-strings are stretched between the walls. This static configuration satisfies all matching conditions for the string and domain wall sources and has 1/4 of unbroken supersymmetry.
We consider classical multi-spin string solutions in marginally deformed AdS4 x CP3. We reconsider the results of arXiv:1208.0389 and extend them to the non supersymmetric 3-deformation parameter background. After a general discussion, we study various explicit solutions and we give expressions for their conserved classical angular momenta and energy.
In this short letter we present a class of remarkably simple solutions to Witten's open string field theory that describe marginal deformations of the underlying boundary conformal field theory. The solutions we consider correspond to dimension-one matter primary operators that have non-singular operator products with themselves. We briefly discuss application to rolling tachyons.
We describe a method for obtaining analytic solutions corresponding to exact marginal deformations in open bosonic string field theory. For the photon marginal deformation we have an explicit analytic solution to all orders. Our construction is based on a pure gauge solution where the gauge field is not in the Hilbert space. We show that the solution itself is nevertheless perfectly regular. We study its gauge transformations and calculate some coefficients explicitly. Finally, we discuss how our method can be implemented for other marginal deformations.
We study curves of marginal stability (CMS) in five-dimensional N=1 E_N theories compactified on a circle using the D3-brane probe realization. In this realization, BPS states correspond to string webs in the affine E_N 7-brane background and junction positions of the webs deteremine CMS. We find that there exist string webs involving infinitely many junctions. Consequently the E_N theories have infinitely many CMS. We also find that there exists a transition from open strings to string webs involving loops. The transition describes a new phenomenon occurring on CMS.
We find marginal and scalar solutions in cubic open string field theory by using left-right splitting properties of a delta function. The marginal solution represents a marginal deformation generated by a U(1) current, and it is a generalized solution of the Wilson lines one given by the present authors. The scalar solution has a well-defined universal Fock space expression, and it is expressed as a singular gauge transform of the trivial vacuum. The expanded theory around it is unable to be connected with the original theory by the string field redefinition. Errors in hep-th/0112124 are corre…
We calculate the gauge invariant overlaps for Schnabl/Kiermaier-Okawa-Rastelli-Zwiebach's marginal solution with nonsingular current. The obtained formula is the same as that for Fuchs-Kroyter-Potting/Kiermaier-Okawa's marginal solution, which was already computed by Ellwood. Our result is consistent with the expectation that they may be gauge equivalent. We also comment on a gauge invariant overlap for rolling tachyon solutions in cubic open string field theory.
We develop a calculable analytic approach to marginal deformations in open string field theory using wedge states with operator insertions. For marginal operators with regular operator products, we construct analytic solutions to all orders in the deformation parameter. In particular, we construct an exact time-dependent solution that describes D-brane decay and incorporates all alpha' corrections. For marginal operators with singular operator products, we construct solutions by regularizing the singularity and adding counterterms. We explicitly carry out the procedure to third order in the de…
In this short note we give an example of the exact solution of the open bosonic string field theory defined on the background of $N$ coincided D0-branes. This solution leads to the change of the original background to the background where D0-branes are localised in general positions.
We point out that the moduli sector of the $(2,2)$ string compactification with its nonperturbatively preserved non-compact symmetries is a framework to study global topological defects. Based on the target space modular invariance of the nonperturbative superpotential of the four-dimensional $N=1$ supersymmetric string vacua, topologically stable stringy domain walls are found. Explicit supersymmetric solutions for the modulus field and the metric, which saturate the Bogomol'nyi bound, are presented. They interpolate between {\it non-degenerate} vacua. As a corollary, this defines a new notio…
By direct calculation we showed that a finite analytic solution for marginal deformation of open string field theory, by a matter primary operator with singular OPE, can be obtained to all orders in the deformation parameter. In particular, we obtained solutions that describe lower dimensional D-branes and our results agree with the results obtained when the same problem is treated in the world-sheet conformal field theory language.
Configurations of vortex-strings stretched between or ending on domain walls were previously found to be 1/4 Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield(BPS) states in N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories in 3+1 dimensions. Among zero modes of string positions, the center of mass of strings in each region between two adjacent domain walls is shown to be non-normalizable whereas the rests are normalizable. We study dynamics of vortex-strings stretched between separated domain walls by using two methods, the moduli space (geodesic) approximation of full 1/4 BPS states and the charged particle approximation for …
Configurations of vortex-strings stretched between or ending on domain walls were previously found to be 1/4 BPS states. Among zero modes of string positions, the center of mass of strings in each region between two adjacent domain walls is shown to be non-normalizable whereas the rests are normalizable. We study dynamics of vortex-strings stretched between separated domain walls by using two methods, the moduli space (geodesic) approximation of full 1/4 BPS states and the charged particle approximation for string endpoints in the wall effective action. In the first method we obtain the effect…
A solution of Einstein equations is obtained for our four-dimensional world as an intersection of a wall and a string-like defect in seven-dimensional spacetime with a negative cosmological constant. A matter energy-momentum tensor localized on the wall and on the string is needed. A single massless graviton is found and is localized around the intersection. The leading correction to the gravitational Newton potential from massive spin 2 graviton is found to be almost identical to that of a wall in five dimensions, contrary to the case of a string in six dimensions. The generalization to the i…
Marginal boundary deformations in a two dimensional conformal field theory correspond to a family of classical solutions of the equations of motion of open string field theory. In this paper we develop a systematic method for relating the parameter labelling the marginal boundary deformation in the conformal field theory to the parameter labelling the classical solution in open string field theory. This is done by first constructing the energy-momentum tensor associated with the classical solution in open string field theory using Noether method, and then comparing this to the answer obtained …
In this paper we continue our study f the exact solution in open bosonic string field theory. We present new solution in the string field theory defined on the background corresponding to the boundary conformal field theory describing D25-brane. Then we will study the fluctuation modes around this solution and we determine their basic properties from the linearised equation of motion of the string field theory defined above the classical solution.
We construct analytic solutions of open bosonic string field theory for any exactly marginal deformation in any boundary conformal field theory when properly renormalized operator products of the marginal operator are given. We explicitly provide such renormalized operator products for a class of marginal deformations which include the deformations of flat D-branes in flat backgrounds by constant massless modes of the gauge field and of the scalar fields on the D-branes, the cosine potential for a space-like coordinate, and the hyperbolic cosine potential for the time-like coordinate. In our c…
We investigate numerical solutions of bosonic open string field theory in some marginally deformed backgrounds, which are obtained by expanding the action around an identity-based marginal solution with one parameter. We construct numerical solutions in the Siegel gauge and the Landau gauge corresponding to the tachyon vacuum. Their vacuum energy approximately cancels the D-brane tension for larger intervals of the parameter with increasing truncation level. The result is consistent with the previous expectation that the identity-based marginal solution has vanishing energy regardless of the v…
We use the level truncation scheme to obtain accurate descriptions of open bosonic string field configurations corresponding to large marginal deformations such as background Wilson lines. To do so, we solve for all fields as functions of the massless string field, and confirm that the effective potential of the massless field becomes increasingly flat as the level of approximation is increased. Surprisingly, as a result of the merging of two branches of the solution - one originating at zero tachyon vev and the other originating at the tachyonic vacuum - this effective potential exists only f…
We consider formation of composite strings and domain walls as a result of fusion of two elementary objects (elementary strings in the first case and elementary walls in the second) located at a distance from each other. The tension of the composite object T_2 is assumed to be less than twice the tension of the elementary object T_1, so that bound states are possible. If in the initial state the distance d between the fusing strings or walls is much larger than their thickness and satisfies the conditions T_1 d^2 >> 1 (in the string case) and T_1 d^3 >> 1 (in the wall case), the problem can be…
Non-abelian gauge theories in the Higgs phase admit a startling variety of BPS solitons. These include domain walls, vortex strings, confined monopoles threaded on vortex strings, vortex strings ending on domain walls, monopoles threaded on strings ending on domain walls, and more. After presenting a self-contained review of these objects, including several new results on the dynamics of domain walls, we go on to examine the possible interactions of solitons of various types. We point out the existence of a classical binding energy when the string ends on the domain wall which can be thought o…
We conjecture the existence of strings bounded inside walls in SU$(n)$ $\N=1$ Super Yang-Mills theory. These strings carry $\Z_{[k,n]}$ quantum number, where $[k,n]$ is the greatest common divisor between $k$, the charge of the wall, and $n$. We provide field-theoretical arguments and string-theoretical evidences, both from MQCD and from gauge-gravity correspondence. We interpret this result from the point of view of the low-energy effective action living on the $k$-wall.
The phenomenon of creation of strings, occurring when particles pass through a domain wall and related to the Hanany-Witten effect via dualities, is discussed in ten and nine dimensions. We consider both the particle actions in massive backgrounds as well as the 1/4-supersymmetric particle-string-domain wall supergravity solutions and discuss their physical interpretation. In 10D we discuss the D0-F1-D8 system in massive IIA theory while in 9D the SL(2,R)-generalisation is constructed. It consists of (p,q)-particles, (r,s)-strings and the double domain wall solution of the three different 9D g…
We derive a new open string field theory solution for boundary marginal deformations generated by chiral currents with singular self-OPE. The solution is algebraically identical to the Kiermaier-Okawa-Soler solution and it is gauge equivalent to the Takahashi-Tanimoto identity-based solution. It is wedge-based and we can analytically evaluate the Ellwood invariant and the action, reproducing the expected results from BCFT. By studying the isomorphism between the states of the initial and final background a dual derivation of the Ellwood invariant is also obtained.
We study the feasibility of level expansion and test the quartic vertex of closed string field theory by checking the flatness of the potential in marginal directions. The tests, which work out correctly, require the cancellation of two contributions: one from an infinite-level computation with the cubic vertex and the other from a finite-level computation with the quartic vertex. The numerical results suggest that the quartic vertex contributions are comparable or smaller than those of level four fields.
We find solutions of supersymmetric string field theory that correspond to the photon marginal deformation in the boundary conformal field theory. We revisit the bosonic string marginal deformation and generate a real solution for it. We find a map between the solutions of bosonic and supersymmetric string field theories and suggest a universal solution to superstring field theory.
The exact spectrum of dyons in a class of N=4 supersymmetric string theories is known to change discontinuously across walls of marginal stability. We show that the change in the degeneracy across the walls of marginal stability can be accounted for precisely by the entropy of two centered small black holes which disappear as we cross the walls of marginal stability.
We consider decay of metastable topological configurations such as strings and domain walls. The transition from a state with higher energy density to a state with lower one proceeds through quantum tunneling or through thermally catalyzed quantum tunneling (at sufficiently small temperatures). The transition rate is calculated at zero temperature including the preexponential factor and also at a finite low temperature. The thermal catalysis factor is closely related to the probability (effective length) of destruction of the string (the domain wall) in collisions of the Goldstone bosons, corr…
A recently introduced method for constructing marginal singular flows between distinct Landau--Ginzburg theories at fixed central charge is reviewed. The flows are constructed in an enlarged moduli space obtained by adding theories with zero central charge. This mechanism is used to construct flows between mirror pairs of string vacua described by N$=$2 superconformal Landau--Ginzburg fixed points. In contrast to previous methods this new construction of mirror theories does not depend on particular symmetries of the original theory. (Based in part on a talk presented at the Trieste Summer Wor…
In this note we will study solution of open bosonic string field theory based on action of operators from chiral algebra of boundary conformal field theory on identity element of string field theory star algebra. We will demonstrate that the string field theory action for fluctuation fields around this classical solution can be mapped to the string field theory action defined through the new boundary conformal field theory that arises from the original one through the marginal deformation inserted on the world-sheet boundary.
The topological B-model with target the supertwistor space CP(3|4) is known to describe perturbative amplitudes of N=4 Super Yang-Mills theory. We review the extension of this correspondence to the superconformal gauge theories that arise as marginal deformations of N=4 by considering the effects of turning on a certain closed string background, which results in non-anticommutativity in the fermionic directions of CP(3|4). We generalise the twistor string prescription for amplitudes to this case and illustrate it with some simple examples.
Solitons formation through classical dynamics of two scalar fields with the potential having a saddle point and one minimum in (2+1)-space-time is discussed. We show that under certain conditions in the early Universe both domain walls and strings can be formed even if scalar fields are inflaton ones.
We make precise the connection between the generic Leigh--Strassler deformation of N=4 SYM and noncommutativity. We construct an appropriate noncommutativity matrix, which turns out to define a nonassociative deformation. Viewing this noncommutativity matrix as part of the set of open string data which characterize the deformation and mapping them to the closed string data (e.g. metric and B--field), we are able to construct the gravity dual and the the correponding deformed flat space geometry up to third order in the deformation parameter.
In contrast to the common wisdom, we discover that, instead of the exponential fall-off of the form factors with Regge-pole structure, the high-energy scattering amplitudes of string scattered from Domain-wall behave as power-law with Regge-pole structure. This is to be compared with the well-known power-law form factors without Regge-pole structure of the D-instanton scatterings. This discovery makes Domain-wall scatterings an unique example of a hybrid of string and field theory scatterings. The calculation is done for bosonic string scatterings of arbitrary massive string states from D-24 b…
The level-truncation analysis of open string field theory for a class of periodic marginal deformations indicates that a branch of solutions in Siegel gauge exists only for a finite range of values of the marginal field. The periodicity in the deformation parameter is thus obscure. We use the relation between gauge-invariant observables and the closed string tadpole on a disk conjectured by Ellwood to construct a map between the deformation parameter of the boundary conformal field theory and the parameter labeling classical solutions of open string field theory. We evaluate the gauge-invarian…
We investigate N-point string scattering amplitudes in AdS_3 space. Based on recent observations on the solutions of KZ and BPZ-type differential equations, we discuss how to describe the string theory in AdS_3 as a marginal deformation of a (flat) linear dilaton background. This representation resembles the called "discrete light-cone Liouville" realization as well as the FZZ dual description in terms of the sine-Liouville field theory. Consequently, the connection and differences between those and this realization are discussed. The free field representation presented here permits to underst…
We study string solutions in the beta-deformed Sasaki-Einstein gauge/gravity dualities. We find that the BPS point-like strings move in the submanifolds where the two U(1) circles shrink to zero size. In the corresponding T^3 fibration description, the strings live on the edges of the polyhedron, where the T^3 fibration degenerates to T^1. Moreover, we find that for each deformed Sasaki-Einstein manifold the BPS string solutions exist only for particular values of the deformation parameter. Our results imply that in the dual field theory the corresponding BPS operators exist only for these par…
We study some consequences of dimensionally reducing systems with massless fermions and Abelian gauge fields from 3+1 to 2+1 dimensions. We first consider fermions in the presence of an external Abelian gauge field. In the reduced theory, obtained by compactifying one of the coordinates `a la Kaluza-Klein, magnetic flux strings are mapped into domain wall defects. Fermionic zero modes, localized around the flux strings of the 3+1 dimensional theory, become also zero modes in the reduced theory, via the Callan and Harvey mechanism, and are concentrated around the domain wall defects. We also st…
This thesis is almost entirely devoted to studying string theory backgrounds characterized by simple geometrical and integrability properties. The archetype of this type of system is given by Wess-Zumino-Witten models, describing string propagation in a group manifold or, equivalently, a class of conformal field theories with current algebras. We study the moduli space of such models by using truly marginal deformations. Particular emphasis is placed on asymmetric deformations that, together with the CFT description, enjoy a very nice spacetime interpretation in terms of the underlying Lie alg…
We verify that the dilaton together with one exactly marginal field, form a moduli space of marginal deformations of closed bosonic string field theory to polynomial order five. We use the results of this successful check in order to find the best functional form of a fit of quintic amplitudes. We then use this fit in order to accurately compute the tachyon and dilaton effective potential in the limit of infinite level. We observe that to order four, the effective potential gives unexpectedly accurate results for the vacuum. We are thus led to conjecture that the effective potential, to a give…
The tree-level amplitudes in $β$-deformed theory are studied from twistor string theory. We first show that a simple generalization of the proposal in hep-th/0410122 gives the correct results for all of the tree-level amplitudes to the first order of the deformation parameter $β$. Then we give a proposal to all orders of $β$ and show this matches the field theory. We also show the prescription using connected instantons and the prescription using disconnected instantons are equivalent in the deformed twistor string theory. The tree-level amplitudes in non-supersymmetric $γ$-deformed theory are…
We study the central extensions of the N=1 superalgebras relevant to the soliton solutions with the axial geometry - strings, wall junctions, etc. A general expression valid in any four-dimensional gauge theory is obtained. We prove that the only gauge theory admitting BPS strings at weak coupling is supersymmetric electrodynamics with the Fayet-Iliopoulos term. The problem of ambiguity of the (1/2,1/2) central charge in the generalized Wess-Zumino models and gauge theories with matter is addressed and solved. A possibility of existence of the BPS strings at strong coupling in N=2 theories is …
We describe hadronization events, using the AdS/CFT Correspondence, which display many of the qualitative features expected in QCD. In particular we study the motion of strings with separating end points in a back-reacted hard wall geometry. The solutions show the development of a linear QCD-like string. The end points oscillate in the absence of string breaking. We introduce string breaking by hand and evolve the new state forward in time to observe the separation of two string segments. A kink associated with this breaking evolves to the end points of the string inducing rho meson production…
We consider the following two problems: classical domain walls in the $N=1^*$ mass deformation of the maximally supersymmetric Yang Mills theory, and D-strings as external magnetic sources in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence. We show that they are both described by Nahm's equations with unconventional boundary conditions, and analyze the relevant moduli space of solutions. We argue that general `fuzzy sphere' configurations of D-strings in AdS$_5$ correspond to Wilson-'t Hooft lines in higher representations of the dual SU(n) gauge theory.
We investigate how the marginal deformations of N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory (analysed in particular by Leigh and Strassler) arise within B-model topological string theory on supertwistor space CP(3|4). This is achieved by turning on a certain closed string background in the fermionic directions. Through a specific open/closed correlation function, this mode induces a correction to holomorphic Chern-Simons theory, corresponding to the self-dual part of the chiral operator added on the gauge theory side. The effect of the deformation is interpreted as non-anticommutativity between some …
We present Poincare invariant domain wall (``3-brane'') solutions to some 5-dimensional effective theories which can arise naturally in string theory. In particular, we find theories where Poincare invariant solutions exist for arbitrary values of the brane tension, for certain restricted forms of the bulk interactions. We describe examples in string theory where it would be natural for the quantum corrections to the tension of the brane (arising from quantum fluctuations of modes with support on the brane) to maintain the required form of the action. In such cases, the Poincare invariant solu…
We study 1/2 BPS domain walls, 1/2 BPS flux tubes (strings) and their 1/4 BPS junctions. We consider the simplest example of N=2 Abelian gauge theory with two charged matter hypermultiplets which contains all of the above-listed extended objects. In particular, we focus on string-wall junctions (boojums) and calculate their energy. It turns out to be logarithmically divergent in the infrared domain. We compute this energy first in the (2+1)-dimensional effective theory on the domain wall and then, as a check, obtain the same result from the point of view of (3+1)-dimensional bulk theory. Next,…
In this paper we use the the topological vertex formalism to calculate a generalization of the "domain wall" partition function of M-strings. This generalization allows calculation of partition function of certain compactified webs using a simple gluing algorithm similar to M-strings case.
We present a construction of domain walls in string theory. The domain walls can bridge both Minkowski and AdS string vacua. A key ingredient in the construction are novel classical Yang-Mills configurations, including instantons, which interpolate between toroidal Yang-Mills vacua. Our construction provides a concrete framework for the study of inflating metrics in string theory. In some cases, the accelerating space-time comes with a holographic description. The general form of the holographic dual is a field theory with parameters that vary over space-time.
We study the spectrum of BPS domain walls within the parameter space of N=1 U(N) gauge theories with adjoint matter and a cubic superpotential. Using a low energy description obtained by compactifying the theory on R^3 x S^1, we examine the wall spectrum by combining direct calculations at special points in the parameter space with insight drawn from the leading order potential between minimal walls, i.e those interpolating between adjacent vacua. We show that the multiplicity of composite BPS walls -- as characterised by the CFIV index -- exhibits discontinuities on marginal stability curves …
Following the RG flow of an N=1 quiver gauge theory and applying Seiberg duality whenever necessary defines a duality cascade, that in simple cases has been understood holographically. It has been argued that in certain cases, the dualities will pile up at a certain energy scale called the duality wall, accompanied by a dramatic rise in the number of degrees of freedom. In string theory, this phenomenon is expected to occur for branes at a generic threefold singularity, for which the associated quiver has Lorentzian signature. We here study sequences of Seiberg dualities on branes at the C_3/Z…
