We apply stochastic quantization method to Kostov's matrix-vector models for the second quantization of orientable strings with Chan-Paton like factors, including both open and closed strings. The Fokker-Planck hamiltonian deduces an orientable open-closed string field theory at the double scaling limit. There appears an algebraic structure in the continuum F-P hamiltonian including a Virasoro algebra and a SU(r) current algebra.
We investigate strings theories as defined from four dimensional gauge theories. It is argued that novel (super)string theories exist up to 26 dimensions. Some of them may support weakly curved geometries.
For the homogeneous configuration given by the long string limit of the folded string with a spin in AdS3 and a spin and a winding number in S1, we solve the auxiliary linear problem in the finite-gap method and construct the Lax operator to obtain an algebraic curve. We show that the long spiky string in AdS_3 has the same algebraic curve as the null cusp Wilson loop. The algebraic curve for the circular winding string in AdS3xS1 is evaluated. The Virasoro constraint is discussed to characterize the branch points of each curve.
The brief review of the duality between gauge theories and closed strings propagating in the curved space is based on the lectures given at ITEP Winter School - 2005
This is a brief review of the current state of knowledge on "little string theories", which are non-gravitational theories having several string-like properties. We focus on the six dimensional maximally supersymmetric "little string theories" and describe their definition, some of their simple properties, the motivations for studying them, the DLCQ and holographic constructions of these theories and their behaviour at finite energy density. (Contribution to the proceedings of Strings '99 in Potsdam, Germany.)
We present some solutions for lumps in two dimensions in level-expanded string field theory, as well as in two tachyonic theories: pure tachyonic string field theory and pure $ϕ^3$ theory. Much easier to handle, these theories might be used to help understanding solitonic features of string field theory. We compare lump solutions between these theories and we discuss some convergence issues.
We apply stochastic quantization method to real symmetric matrix-vector models for the second quantization of non-orientable strings, including both open and closed strings. The Fokker-Planck hamiltonian deduces a well-defined non-orientable open-closed string field theory at the double scaling limit of the matrix model. There appears a new algebraic structure in the continuum F-P hamiltonian including a Virasoro algebra and a $SO(r)$ current algebra.
We discuss aspects of the non-standard version of F-theory based on the arithmetic of torsion points on elliptic curves. We construct new F-theory vacua in 8 dimensions...
A formal relationship between scattering amplitudes in critical bosonic string theory and correlation functions of operators in topological string theory is found.
A new set of boundary conditions for string propagators is proposed in this paper. The boundary conditions are parametrized by a complex number $λ$. Under these new boundary conditions, the left-moving and right-moving modes are treated unequally. Thus, we called them chiral string theories. If $λ= -1$, the spectrum of such theory truncates to a finite number, and therefore it becomes a different description of supergravity. We found the spectrum of chiral string theories by requiring that the vertex operators are conformally invariant. In addition, we also calculate the amplitudes for arbitra…
We describe some of the novel 6d quantum field theories which have been discovered in studies of string duality. The role these theories (and their 4d descendants) may play in alleviating the vacuum degeneracy problem in string theory is reviewed. The DLCQ of these field theories is presented as one concrete way of formulating them, independent of string theory.
We consider the tachyon potentials in closed and open-closed string theories. In doing so, we apply technique which proved to be useful in studying the open string tachyon potentials to the problem of interest.
Open-string theories may be related to suitable models of oriented closed strings. The resulting construction of ``open descendants'' is illustrated in a few simple cases that exhibit some of its key features.
New heterotic string theories in four dimensions are constructed by tensoring a nonstandard SCFT along with some minimal SCFT's. All such theories are identified and their particle generation number is found. We prove that from the infinite number of new heterotic string theories only the {6} theory predicts three generations as seen in nature which makes it an interesting candidate for further study.
There have been recent advances in the construction of algebraic curves for certain classes of string solutions in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence. In this paper we obtain the Lax operators and associated spectral curves for circular and folded string solutions in $\,\textrm{AdS}_5\times S^5$. In addition, we provide an original approach for the reconstruction of string solutions in $\,S^3$ from their corresponding curves.
Target space modular symmetries relevant to string loop threshold corrections are studied for $Z_N$ orbifold compactified string theories containing Wilson line background fields.
We study the 6d $\mathcal{N}=(1,0)$ superconformal field theory with smallest non-Higgsable gauge symmetry $SU(3)$. In particular, we propose new 2d gauge theory descriptions of its self-dual strings in the tensor branch. We use our gauge theories to compute the elliptic genera of the self-dual strings, which completely agree with the partial data known from topological strings. We further study the strings of the $(E_6,E_6)$ conformal matter by generalizing our 2d gauge theories. We also show that anomalies of all our gauge theories agree with the self-dual string anomalies computed by inflow…
These lecture notes are based on a course on string theories given by Hirosi Ooguri in the first week of TASI 96 Summer School at Boulder, Colorado. It is an introductory course designed to provide students with minimum knowledge before they attend more advanced courses on non-perturbative aspects of string theories in the School. The course consists of five lectures: 1. Bosonic String, 2. Toroidal Compactifications, 3. Superstrings, 4. Heterotic Strings, and 5. Orbifold Compactifications.
We formulate matrix string models on a class of exact string backgrounds with non constant RR-flux parameterized by a holomorphic prepotential function and with manifest (2,2) supersymmetry. This lifts these string theories to M-theory exposing the non perturbative string interaction which is studied by generalizing the instanton asymptotic expansion, well established in the flat background case, to this more general case. We obtain also a companion matrix model with four manifest supersymmetries in eleven dimensions.
Magnetic BPS string solutions preserving quarter of supersymmetry are obtained for all abelian gauged d=5 N=2 supergravity theories coupled to vector supermultiplets. Due to a ``generalised Dirac quantization'' condition satisfied by the minimized magnetic central charge, the string metric takes a universal form for all five dimensional gauged theories.
The purpose of this note is to provide a short invitation to the universal algebraic approach to topological string theory. In the first section we make an attempt to explain the origin of this approach and how it fits into the bigger picture of full string theory, while in the second half of this note we will introduce the relevant notions in more detail and discuss some of our main results on bulk-deformed open topological string amplitudes.
In the Coulomb phase of the 6-dim (2,0) superconformal theories, the 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 BPS selfdual string webs are argued to exist such that the spatial SO(5) and internal SO(5) rotations are correlated. The basic constituents are 1/2 BPS strings and 1/4 BPS string junctions. One support comes from the existence of the similar BPS dyonic monostring webs in 5-dim maximally supersymmetric gauge theories. Another comes from the study of the supersymmetry of the intersecting M2 brane stripes terminating on M5 branes. We also discuss the related BPS webs in little string theories and other theories.
We construct bosonic string theories, RNS string theories and heterotic string theories on flat supermanifolds. For these string theories, we show cancellations of the central charges and modular invariance. Bosonic string theories on supermanifolds have dimensions (D_B,D_F)=(26,0),(28,2),(30,4),..., where D_B and D_F are the numbers of bosonic coordinates and fermionic coordinates, respectively. We show that in type II string theories the one loop vacuum amplitudes vanish. From this result, we can suggest the existence of supersymmetry on supermanifolds. As examples of the heterotic string th…
We consider a prescription for introducing deformed dispersion relations in the bosonic string action. We find that in a subset of such theories it remains true that the embedding coordinates propagate linearly on the worldsheet. While both the string modes and the center of mass propagate with deformed dispersion relations, the speed of light remains energy independent. We consider the canonical quantization of these strings, and find that it is possible to choose theories so that ghost modes still decouple, as usual. However the Virasoro algebra now exhibits an energy dependent central charg…
By enforcing locality we relate the cohomology found in parafermionic theories to that occurring in $W$ strings. This link provides a systematic method of finding states in the cohomology of $W_{2,s}$ strings.
The recently found non-critical open string theories is reviewed. These open strings, noncommutative open string theories (NCOS), arise as consistent quantum theories describing the low energy theory of D-branes in a background electric B-field in the critical limit. Focusing on the D3-brane case, we construct the most general (3+1) NCOS, which is described by four parameters. We study S and T -dualities of these theories and argue the existence of a U-duality group.
We give a brief introduction to the study of the algebraic structures -- and their geometrical interpretations -- which arise in the BRST construction of a conformal string background. Starting from the chiral algebra $\cA$ of a string background, we consider a number of elementary but universal operations on the chiral algebra. From these operations we deduce a certain fundamental odd Poisson structure, known as a Gerstenhaber algebra, on the BRST cohomology of $\cA$. For the 2D string background, the correponding G-algebra can be partially described in term of a geometrical G-algebra of the …
We show that with every classical system possessing first class constraints that form a natural Lie algebra, we can associate a superalgebra that admits the constraint Lie algebra as a subalgebra. An odd generator of this superalgebra that commutes with the constraints is shown to be the BRST operator whose form follows from a non linear coset representation of the superalgebra. We further show the existence of the superalgebra for all Yang-Mills theories and for 26-dimensional bosonic strings.
It has been conjectured that Little String Theories in six dimensions are holographic to critical string theory in a linear dilaton background. We test this conjecture for theories arising on the worldvolume of heterotic fivebranes. We compute the spectrum of chiral primaries in these theories and compare with results following from Type I-heterotic duality and the AdS/CFT correspondence. We also construct holographic duals for heterotic fivebranes near orbifold singularities. Finally we find several new Little String Theories which have Spin(32)/Z_2 or E_8 \times E_8 global symmetry but do no…
In this lecture notes we explain and discuss some ideas concerning noncommutative geometry in general, as well as noncommutative field theories and string field theories. We consider noncommutative quantum field theories emphasizing an issue of their renormalizability and the UV/IR mixing. Sen's conjectures on open string tachyon condensation and their application to the D-brane physics have led to wide investigations of the covariant string field theory proposed by Witten about 15 years ago. We review main ingredients of cubic (super)string field theories using various formulations: functiona…
We compare the logarithm of the degeneracy of BPS saturated elementary string states and the string modified Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the corresponding black holes in N=2 supersymmetric heterotic string compactification to four dimensions. As in the case of N=4 supersymmetric theory, the two results match up to an overall undetermined numerical factor. We also show that this undetermined numerical constant is identical in the N=2 and N=4 supersymmetric theories, therby showing that the agreement between the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy and the microscopic entropy for N=2 theories does not r…
Non-relativistic string theories promise to provide simpler theories of quantum gravity as well as tractable limits of the AdS/CFT correspondence. However, several apparently distinct non-relativistic string theories have been constructed. In particular, one approach is to reduce a relativistic string along a null isometry in target space. Another method is to perform an appropriate large speed of light expansion of a relativistic string. Both of the resulting non-relativistic string theories only have a well-defined spectrum if they have nonzero winding along a longitudinal spatial direction.…
We study compactifications of the $N=2$ 6D tensionless string on various complex two-folds down to two-dimensions. In the IR limit they become non-trivial conformal field theories in 2D. Using results of Vafa and Witten on the partition functions of twisted Super-Yang-Mills theories, we can study the resulting CFT. We also discuss the contribution of instantons made by wrapping strings on 2-cycles of the complex two-fold.
We show how to construct an algebraic curve for factorized string solution in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence. We define factorized solutions to be solutions where the flat-connection becomes independent of one of the worldsheet variables by a similarity transformation with a matrix $S$ satisfying $S^{-1}d S=const$. Using the factorization property we construct a well defined Lax operator and an associated algebraic curve. The construction procedure is local and does not require the introduction of a monodromy matrix. The procedure can be applied for string solutions with any boundar…
We determine the anomaly polynomial of the E-string theory and its higher-rank generalizations, that is, the 6d $\mathcal{N} =(1, 0)$ superconformal theories on the worldvolume of one or multiple M5-branes embedded within the end-of-the-world brane with $E_8$ symmetry.
In this paper we make an SL(2,Z)-covariant generalisation of the noncommutative theories, NCYM and NCOS on the D3-brane, and NCOS on the D5-brane in type IIB. Usually, the noncommutative theories are obtained by studying perturbative F-string theory, and the parameters governing the noncommutative theories are given by the open string data. The S-duality of NCYM and NCOS on the D3-brane has been seen by dualising the background, keeping the F-string under study fixed. We give an SL(2,Z)-covariant generalisation of the open string data relevant when one instead studies perturbative (p,q)-string…
We explore 6d (1,0) superconformal field theories with SU(3) and SU(2) gauge symmetries which cascade after Higgsing to the E-string theory on a single M5 near an $E_8$ wall. Specifically, we study the 2d $\mathcal{N}=(0,4)$ gauge theories which describe self-dual strings of these 6d theories. The self-dual strings can be also viewed as instanton string solitons of 6d Yang-Mills theories. We find the 2d anomaly-free gauge theories for self-dual strings, amending the naive ADHM gauge theories which are anomalous, and calculate their elliptic genera. While these 2d theories respect the flavor sy…
We investigate the Penrose limit of various brane solutions including Dp-branes, NS5-branes, fundamental strings, (p,q) fivebranes and (p,q) strings. We obtain special null geodesics with the fixed radial coordinate (critical radius), along which the Penrose limit gives string theories with constant mass. We also study string theories with time-dependent mass, which arise from the Penrose limit of the brane backgrounds. We examine equations of motion of the strings in the asymptotic flat region and around the critical radius. In particular, for (p,q) fivebranes, we find that the string equatio…
We calculate partition functions for supersymmetric heterotic theories on Melvin background with Wilson line. These functions coincide with partition functions for some of non-supersymmetric heterotic theories in appropriate limits. This suggests that non-supersymmetric heterotic theories are equivalent to supersymmetric theories on supersymmetry-breaking backgrounds, just as in the case of recently conjectured IIA-0A duality.
A new class of twistor string theories were recently constructed by Abou-Zeid, Hull and Mason. The most interesting one of these theories has the particle content of N=8 supergravity. Arguments are given for the vanishing of the (+ - -)-helicity amplitude for gravitons which suggest that this theory describes a chiral N=8 supergravity rather than Einstein supergravity.
We explore two classes of 6d $\mathcal{N}=(1,0)$ little string theories obtained from type IIA/IIB NS5-branes probing $D_n$ singularities. Their tensor branches are described by effective gauge theories whose instanton solitons are macroscopic little strings. We specifically study two families of 2d $\mathcal{N}=(0,4)$ gauge theories which describe at low energy the worldsheet dynamics of the type IIA/IIB little strings. These gauge theories are useful to calculate the supersymmetric partition functions of the little string theories on $\mathbf{R}^4 \times T^2$. We establish the T-duality of t…
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 argue that two four-dimensional strongly coupled superconformal field theories, on the Higgs branch in certain large N limits, become respectively (2,0) theory and (1,1) little string theory in six dimensions. We identify the spectrum of states responsible for the generation of the two extra dimensions and string winding modes. We establish the equivalence using orbifold realizations of the field theories and exploiting string dualities. We also speculate on deconstructions of M-theory.
Recently proposed by Hwang, Marnelius and Saltsidis zeta regularization of basic commutators in string theories is generalized to the string models with non-trivial vacuums. It is shown that implementation of this regularization implies the cancellation of dangerous terms in the commutators between Virasoro generators, which break Jacobi identity.
We investigate algebraic structure of light-cone string field theory which respects the spacetime supersymmetry su(2|2). Extracting building blocks from the explicit oscillator expressions of light-cone superstring field theory on the pp-wave and the flat background, we propose a model for more generic backgrounds by giving an algebraic procedure to construct supercharges and Hamiltonian without referring to explicit oscillator expressions. Based on this strategy, we systematically construct interaction terms of light-cone string field theory on the pp-wave background and some examples of its …
We propose correspondences between 4d quantum field theories with N=2,1,0 (super)conformal invariance and Type IIB string theory on various orbifolds. We argue using the spacetime string theory, and check using the beta functions (exactly for N=2,1 and so far at 1-loop for the gauge couplings in the N=0 case), that these theories have conformal fixed lines. The latter case potentially gives well-defined non-supersymmetric vacua of string theory, with a mechanism for making the curvature and cosmological constant small at nontrivial string coupling. We suggest a correspondence between nonsupers…
Through the continuum limit of the one matrix model on the multicritical point the corresponding Schwinger-Dyson equation of temporal-gauge string field theory is derived. It agrees with that of the background independent formulation recently proposed.
We obtain the anomaly polynomial of strings of general 6d $\mathcal{N}{=}(1,0)$ theories in terms of anomaly inflow. Our computation sheds some light on the reason why the simplest 6d $\mathcal{N}{=}(1,0)$ theory has $E_8$ flavor symmetry, and also partially explains a curious numerology in F-theory.
The special geometry ($(t,{\bar t})$-equations) for twisted $N=2$ strings are derived as consistency conditions of a new contact term algebra. The dilaton appears in the contact terms of topological and antitopological operators. The holomorphic anomaly, which can be interpreted as measuring the background dependence, is obtained from the contact algebra relations.
We study some aspects of the recently discovered connection between dimer models and D-brane gauge theories. We argue that dimer models are also naturally related to closed string theories on non compact orbifolds of $\BC^2$ and $\BC^3$, via their twisted sector R charges, and show that perfect matchings in dimer models correspond to twisted sector states in the closed string theory. We also use this formalism to study the combinatorics of some unstable orbifolds of $\BC^2$.
It is emphasized that compactified little string theories have compact moduli spaces of vacua, which globally probe compact string geometry. Compactifying various little string theories on T^3 leads to 3d theories with exact, quantum Coulomb branch given by: an arbitrary T^4 of volume M_s^2, an arbitrary K3 of volume M_s^2, and moduli spaces of G=SU(N), SO(2N), or E_{6,7,8} instantons on an arbitrary T^4 or K3 of fixed volume. Compactifying instead on a T^2 leads to 4d theories with a compact Coulomb branch base which, when combined with the exact photon gauge coupling fiber, is a compact, ell…
By analytically continuing the string equations of the subcritical Type 0A (2, 4|m|) minimal string theories, we reveal a whole new family of differential and integro-differential equations associated with the naively supercritical (2, -4|m|) theories. We uncover an elegant structure, associated with the negative KdV hierarchy, that in principle yields the exact partition functions of the models for all values of the string coupling. Furthermore, the physics associated with the new equations displays many of the salient features associated with the original subcritical models, plus other new p…
We present simple models which exhibit some of the remarkable features expected to hold for the as yet unknown non-perturbative formulation of string theories. Among these are: (a) the absence of a background or embedding space for the full theory; (b) perturbative ground states (local minima of the action) having the characteristics of spaces of different dimension; (c) duality transformations between large- and small-coupling expansions; and (d) perturbative excitations of these ground states which can be interpreted as string worldsheets or p-brane worldvolumes. In this context we formulate…
A minimal area problem imposing different length conditions on open and closed curves is shown to define a one parameter family of covariant open-closed quantum string field theories. These interpolate from a recently proposed factorizable open-closed theory up to an extended version of Witten's open string field theory capable of incorporating on shell closed strings. The string diagrams of the latter define a new decomposition of the moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces with punctures and boundaries based on quadratic differentials with both first order and second order poles.
We investigate the following three consistency conditions for constructing string theories on orbifolds: i) the invariance of the energy-momentum tensors under twist operators, ii) the duality of amplitudes and iii) modular invariance of partition functions. It is shown that this investigation makes it possible to obtain the general class of consistent orbifold models, which includes a new class of orbifold models.
We propose that Little String Theories in six dimensions are quasilocal quantum field theories. Such field theories obey a modification of Wightman axioms which allows Wightman functions (i.e. vacuum expectation values of products of fundamental fields) to grow exponentially in momentum space. Wightman functions of quasilocal fields in x-space violate microlocality at short distances. With additional assumptions about the ultraviolet behavior of quasilocal fields, one can define approximately local observables associated to big enough compact regions. The minimum size of such a region can be i…
