In a previous paper, we have studied multi-brane solutions in the context of cubic superstring field theory. The kinetic term of the action was computed for these multi-brane solutions, and for the evaluation of the energy, the equation of motion contracted with the solutions itself was simply assumed to be satisfied. In this paper, we compute the cubic term of the action and discuss the validity of the previous assumption. Additionally, we evaluate the Ellwood's gauge invariant observable.
Using the elements of the so-called $KBcγ$ subalgebra, we study a class of analytic solutions depending on a single function $F(K)$ in the modified cubic superstring field theory. We compute the energy associated to these solutions and show that the result can be expressed in terms of a contour integral. For a particular choice of the function $F(K)$, we show that the energy is given by integer multiples of a single D-brane tension.
It is shown that the four-particle amplitude of superstring theory at two loops obtained in [1,2] is equivalent to the previously obtained results in [3,4,5]. Here the ${\bf Z}_2$ symmetry in hyperelliptic Riemann surface plays an important role in the proof.
The three string vertex for Type IIB superstrings in a maximally supersymmetric plane-wave background is investigated. Specifically, we derive a factorization theorem for the Neumann coefficients that generalizes a flat-space result that was obtained some 20 years ago. The resulting formula is used to explore the leading large mu asymptotic behavior, which is relevant for comparison with dual gauge theory results.
We construct an analytic solution for tachyon condensation around identity-based marginal solutions in Berkovits' WZW-like open superstring field theory. Using this, which is a kind of wedge-based solution, the gauge invariant overlaps for the identity-based marginal solutions can be calculated analytically. This is a straightforward extension of a method in bosonic string field theory, which has been elaborated by the authors, to superstring. We also comment on a gauge equivalence relation between the tachyon vacuum solution and its marginally deformed one. From this viewpoint, we can find th…
Using the factorization approach of Gepner and Qiu, I systematically rederive the closed fractional superstring partition functions for K= 4, 8, and 16. For these theories the relationship between the massless graviton and gravi- tino sector and the purely massive sectors is explored. Properties of the massive sectors are investigated. A twist current in these models is found responsible for the occurrence of N=1 space-time supersymmetry. I show this twist current transforms bosonic (fermionic) projection states into fermionic (bosonic) non-projection states and vice-versa.
We prove that the NS cubic superstring field theories are classically equivalent, regardless of the choice of Y_{-2} in their definition, and illustrate it by an explicit evaluation of the action of Erler's solution. We then turn to examine this solution. First, we explain that its cohomology is trivial also in the Ramond sector. Then, we show that the boundary state corresponding to it is identically zero. We conclude that this solution is indeed a closed string vacuum solution despite the absence of a tachyon field on the BPS D-brane.
We reconsider light-cone superstring field theory on the maximally supersymmetric pp-wave background. We find that the results for the fermionic Neumann matrices given so far in the literature are incomplete and verify our expressions by relating them to the bosonic Neumann matrices and proving several non-trivial consistency conditions among them, as for example the generalization of a flat space factorization theorem for the bosonic Neumann matrices. We also study the bosonic and fermionic constituents of the prefactor and point out a subtlety in the relation between continuum and oscillator…
We study classical solutions of vacuum version of Berkovits' superstring field theory, focusing on the (super)ghost sector. We first argue that the supersliver state which is annihilated by eta_0, though it has the correct quantum numbers and solves the equation of motion, is actually non-perturbatively pure-gauge, and hence it fails to describe a D-brane. As a step toward the construction of non-trivial solutions, we calculate e^{-Phi}Qe^{Phi} for twisted superslivers. As a by-product, we find that the bc-twisted sliver solution in bosonic VSFT can, at least formally, also be written as a pur…
We extend the recently constructed NS superstring field theories in the small Hilbert space to give classical field equations for all superstring theories, including Ramond sectors. We also comment on the realization of supersymmetry in this framework.
We clarify a Wess-Zumino-Wtten-like structure including Ramond fields and propose one systematic way to construct gauge invariant actions: Wess-Zumino-Witten-like complete action $S_{\rm WZW}$. We show that Kunitomo-Okawa's action proposed in arXiv:1508.00366 can obtain a topological parameter dependence of Ramond fields and belongs to our WZW-like framework. In this framework, once a WZW-like functional $\mathcal{A}_{η} = \mathcal{A}_{η} [Ψ]$ of a dynamical string field $Ψ$ is constructed, we obtain one realization of $S_{\rm WZW}$ parametrized by $Ψ$. On the basis of this way, we construct a…
We consider the open string tachyon action in a world-sheet sigma model approach. We present explicit calculations up to order 8 in derivatives for the bosonic string, and mimic these to order 6 for the superstring, including terms with multiple derivatives acting on the tachyon field. We reproduce lower derivative terms obtained elsewhere, and speculate on the role of the world-sheet contact terms regularizing the action for the superstring tachyon.
The inflation model of Gaillard, Lyth and Murayama is revisited, with a systematic scan of the parameter space for dilaton stabilization during inflation.
We construct the cubic interaction vertex and dynamically generated supercharges in light-cone superstring field theory in the pp-wave background. We show that these satisfy the pp-wave superalgebra at first order in string coupling. The cubic interaction vertex and dynamical supercharges presented here differ from the expressions previously given in the literature. Using this vertex we compute various string theory three-point functions and comment on their relation to gauge theory in the BMN limit.
We discuss bound-states of D-branes in truly L-R asymmetric and thus non-geometric Type II vacuum configurations with extended supersymmetry. We argue for their stability as a result of residual supersymmetry and coupling to R-R potentials surviving in the massless spectrum. We then identify the open string excitations of these L-R asymmetric BPS D-branes. Finally, we briefly comment on possible applications and extensions.
We present an analytic solution for tachyon condensation on a non-BPS D-brane in Berkovits' open superstring field theory. The solution is presented as a product of $2\times 2$ matrices in two distinct $GL_2$ subgroups of the open string star algebra. All string fields needed for computation of the nonpolynomial action can be derived in closed form, and the action produces the expected non-BPS D-brane tension in accordance with Sen's conjecture. We also comment on how D-brane charges may be encoded in the topology of the tachyon vacuum gauge orbit.
Following hep-th/0309238 relating the matrix string theory to the light-cone superstring field theory, we write down two supercharges in the matrix string theory explicitly. After checking the supersymmetry algebra at the leading order, we proceed to discuss higher-order contact terms.
The heterotic and type II superstring actions are identified in different anomaly-free decompositions of a single topological sigma-model action depending on bosonic and fermionic coordinates, $X^μ$ and $\r^A$ respectively, and of their topological ghosts. This model results from gauge-fixing the topological gauge symmetry $δX^μ= ε^μ(z,\bar z)$ ($μ=1,2,\dots, 10$) and $δ\r^α= ε^α(z,\bar z)$. ($α=1,2.\dots, 16$). From another viewpoint the heterotic and type II superstring actions emerge as two different gauge-fixings of the same closed two-form. Comments are also made concerning the possibilit…
We analyze the consistency of the recently proposed regularization of an identity based solution in open bosonic string field theory. We show that the equation of motion is satisfied when it is contracted with the regularized solution itself. Additionally, we propose a similar regularization of an identity based solution in the modified cubic superstring field theory.
Using exact boundary conformal field theory methods we analyze the D-brane physics of a specific four-dimensional non-critical superstring theory which involves the N=2 SL(2)/U(1) Kazama-Suzuki model at level 1. Via the holographic duality of hep-th/9907178 our results are relevant for D-brane dynamics in the background of NS5-branes and D-brane dynamics near a conifold singularity. We pay special attention to a configuration of D3- and D5-branes that realizes N=1 supersymmetric QCD and discuss the massless spectrum and classical moduli of this setup in detail. We also comment briefly on the i…
We investigate the Schwinger pair creation process in the context of gravitational models with the back reaction of the electric field included in the geometry. The background is also an exact solution of type II superstring theory, where the electric field arises by Kaluza-Klein reduction. We obtain a closed formula for the pair creation rate that incorporates the gravitational back reaction. At weak fields it has the same structure as the general Schwinger formula, albeit pairs are produced by a combination of Schwinger and Unruh effect, the latter due to the presence of a Rindler horizon. I…
We consider a 2-parameter class of solvable closed superstring models which `interpolate' between Kaluza-Klein and dilatonic Melvin magnetic flux tube backgrounds. The spectrum of string states has similarities with Landau spectrum for a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field. The presence of spin-dependent `gyromagnetic' interaction implies breaking of supersymmetry and possible existence (for certain values of magnetic parameters) of tachyonic instabilities. We study in detail the simplest example of the Kaluza-Klein Melvin model describing a superstring moving in flat but non-trivial …
I review the covariant quantization of the critical $N{=}2$ fermionic string with and without a global ${\bf Z}_2$ twist. The BRST analysis yields massless bosonic and fermionic vertex operators in various ghost and picture number sectors, as well as picture-changers and their inverses, depending on the field basis chosen for bosonization. Two distinct GSO projections exist, one (untwisted) retaining merely the known bosonic scalar and its spectral-flow partner, the other (twisted) yielding two fermions and one boson, on the massless level. The absence of interactions in the latter case rules …
We investigate analytic solutions to Witten's bosonic string field theory and Berkovits' WZW-type superstring field theory. We construct solutions with parameters out of simpler ones, using a commutative monoid that includes the family of wedge states. Our solutions are generalizations of solutions for marginal deformations by nonsingular currents, and can also reproduce Schnabl's tachyon vacuum solution in bosonic string field theory. This implies that such known solutions are generated from simple solutions which are based on the identity state. We also discuss gauge transformations and indu…
AdS/CFT predicts that the value of the on-shell action for type IIB Supergravity (SUGRA) on $AdS_5 \times S^5$ background must be a non-zero number completely determined from the boundary theory. We examine this statement within Sen's formalism for type IIB SUGRA and find that consistency with AdS/CFT requires us to add a specific boundary term to the action. We contrast our resolution with two other resolutions recently proposed in the literature in the context of different approaches to type IIB SUGRA. We explain how our resolution presents a strong benchmark for the possible boundary term o…
We study the singularities of the Higgs branch of supersymmetric U(1)^r gauge theories with eight supercharges. We derive new solutions for the moduli space of vacua preserving manifestly the eight supercharges by using a geometric realization of the SU(2)_R symmetry and a separation procedure of the gauge and SU(2)_R charges, which allow us to put the hypermultiplet vacua in a form depending on a parameter $γ$. For $γ=1$, we obtain new models which flow in the infrared to 2d N=(4,4) conformal models and we show that the classical moduli spaces are given by intersecting cotangent weighted comp…
The author comments on [1]. One of the deformed actions can express the Neveu-Schwarz-Ramond superstring under three gauge conditions. One of these depends on a matrix induced by the string coordinate.
We carry out field redefinitions in ten-dimensional Type IIB supergravity and show that they do not give rise to any physical corrections to the holographic renormalization group structure in the AdS/CFT correspondence. We in particular show that the holographic Weyl anomaly of the N=4 SU(N) super Yang-Mills theory does not change under the field redefinition of the ten-dimensional metric of the form G_{MN} -> G_{MN}+αR G_{MN}+βR_{MN}. These results are consistent with the fact that classical supergravity represents the on-shell structure of massless modes of superstrings, which should not cha…
In perturbative quantum field theory the limit of compactification on an almost light-like circle has recently been shown to be plagued by divergences. We argue that the light-like limit for M-theory probably is free of such divergences due to, among others, the existence of the wrapping modes of the membranes. To illustrate this, we consider superstring theory compactified on an almost light-like circle. Specifically, we compute a one-loop four-point amplitude in type II theory. As is well known, if the external states have vanishing momenta in the compact dimension, the divergence in the lig…
We reconstruct the tachyon effective action for unstable D-branes in superstring theory by examining its behaviour near exactly marginal deformations, where the ambigous higher derivative terms can be eliminated. We then compare this action with that obtained in boundary string field theory and find remarkable agreement. In particular, the tension for lower dimensional branes and the BI-action for the centre of mass motion are reprodued exactly. We also comment on the action for tachyons on the kink in a D-brane/anti-D-brane system and on bosonic string theory.
We have recently proposed a dynamical mechanism that may realize a flat four-dimensional space time as a brane in type IIB superstring theory. A crucial role is played by the phase of the chiral fermion integral associated with the IKKT Matrix Theory, which is conjectured to be a nonperturbative definition of type IIB superstring theory. We demonstrate our mechanism by studying a simplified model, in which we find that a lower-dimensional brane indeed appears dynamically. We also comment on some implications of our mechanism on model building of the brane world.
In cases of both abelian and nonabelian gauge groups, we consider the Higgs mechanism in topologically massive gauge theories in an arbitrary space-time dimension. It is shown that the presence of a topological term makes it possible to shift mass of gauge fields in a nontrivial way compared to the conventional value at the classical tree level. We correct the previous misleading statement with respect to the counting of physical degrees of freedom, where it is shown that gauge fields become massive by 'eating' the Nambu-Goldstone boson and a higher-rank tensor field, but a new massless scalar…
The constraints imposed by maximal supersymmetry on multi-loop contributions to the scattering of four open superstrings in the U(N) theory are examined by use of the pure spinor formalism. The double-trace term k^2 t_8(tr F^2)^2 (where k represents an external momentum and F the Yang--Mills field strength) only receives contributions from L<=2 (where L is the loop number) while the single-trace term k^2 t_8(tr F^4) receives contributions from all L. We verified these statements up to L=5, but arguments based on supersymmetry suggest they extend to all L. This explains why the single-trace con…
The complete forms of the S-matrix elements of a transverse scalar field, two world volume gauge fields, and a Potential $C_{n-1}$ Ramond-Ramond (RR) form field are investigated. In order to find an infinite number of $t,s, (t+s+u)$-channel bulk singularity structures of this particular mixed open-closed amplitude, we employ all the conformal field theory techniques to $<V_{C^{-2}}V_{ϕ^{0}} V_{A^{0}} V_{A^{0}}>$, exploring all the entire correlation functions and all order $α'$ contact interactions to these supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) couplings. Singularity and contact term comparisons wit…
By dealing with the evaluation of string theory correlators of $<V_C V_T V_{\barΨ} V_Ψ>$, the complete and closed form of the amplitude of two fermion fields, one tachyon and one closed string Ramond-Ramond field in type IIB superstring theory is found. Specifically by comparing infinite tachyon poles in field theory amplitude with infinite tachyon poles of the S-matrix of string amplitude (for $p+1=n$ case), all the infinite higher derivative corrections of two tachyons and two fermions (in type IIB) to all orders of $α'$ have been discovered. Using these new couplings, we are able to produce…
