802 publications from this institution
We describe a mechanism for using discrete symmetries to solve the doublet-triplet splitting problem of four-dimensional supersymmetric GUT's. We present two versions of the mechanism, one via ``deconstruction,'' and one in terms of M-theory compactification to four dimensions on a manifold of G_2 holonomy.
We argue that multi-trace interactions in quantum field theory on the boundary of AdS space can be incorporated in the AdS/CFT correspondence by using a more general boundary condition for the bulk fields than has been considered hitherto. We illustrate the procedure for a renormalizable four-dimensional field theory with a $(\Tr Φ^2)^2$ interaction. In this example, we show how the AdS fields with the appropriate boundary condition reproduce the renormalization group effects found in the boundary field theory. We also construct in related examples a line of fixed points with a nonperturbative duality, and a flow between two methods of quantization.
No abstract is provided for this article.
The bosonic string theory described in chapters 2 and 3, despite all its beautiful features, has a number of shortcomings. The most obvious of these are the absence of fermions and the presence of tachyons. It is conceivable that the latter feature merely indicates that the vacuum has been incorrectly identified, and that (as in a Higgs theory) there is some other stable vacuum that does not give rise to tachyons. Despite considerable effort over the years, this remains a conjecture. Another route, which has proved more fruitful, is to try to formulate another string theory instead. Progress in this direction has involved the introduction of internal degrees of freedom propagating along the string.
We re-examine quantization via branes with the goal of understanding its relation to geometric quantization. If a symplectic manifold $M$ can be quantized in geometric quantization using a polarization ${\mathcal P}$, and in brane quantization using a complexification $Y$, then the two quantizations agree if ${\mathcal P}$ can be analytically continued to a holomorphic polarization of $Y$. We also show, roughly, that the automorphism group of $M$ that is realized as a group of symmetries in brane quantization of $M$ is the group of symplectomorphisms of $M$ that can be analytically continued to holomorphic symplectomorphisms of $Y$. We describe from the point of view of brane quantization several examples in which geometric quantization with different polarizations gives equivalent results.
The modifications of the classical equations of motion of the gravitational field in type II string theory are derived by studying tree-level gravitational scattering amplitudes. The effective gravitational action is determined through quartic order in the Riemann tensor. It is shown that generic Ricci-flat manifolds do not solve the modified equations, unless in addition the manifolds are Kähler (2 N-dimensional manifolds of SU(N) holonomy). Translated into sigma model language, this calculation would indicate that the N = 1 supersymmetric sigma model in 2 dimensions, with a Ricci-flat target space, is not conformally invariant, but has a nonzero beta function at four-loop order.
No abstract is provided for this article.
No abstract is provided for this article.
No abstract is provided for this article.
A careful treatment of closed string BRST cohomology shows that there are more discrete states and associated symmetries in D = 2 string theory than has been recognized hitherto. The full structure, at the SU (2) radius, has a natural description in terms of abelian gauge theory on a certain three-dimensional cone Q. We describe precisely how symmetry currents are constructed from the discrete states, explaining the role of the “descent equations”. In the uncompactified theory, we compute the action of the symmetries on the tachyon field, and isolate the features that lead to nonlinear terms in this action. The resulting symmetry structure is interpreted in terms of a homotopy Lie algebra.
It is known that the Jones polynomial of knot theory, and its generalizations, are closely related to the integrable “vertex models” of two-dimensional statistical mechanics, and to quantum groups. In this paper, an attempt is made to show on a priori grounds, starting only from general covariance of three-dimensional Chern-Simons gauge theory and two-dimensional “duality”, why this must be so.
In the first eleven chapters of this book we have attempted to introduce the reader to string theory as it is presently understood. Our focus now shifts to making contact with more familiar physics. In this chapter we develop some concepts in differential geometry that are useful in understanding general relativity and Yang-Mills theory even in four dimensions, but which are of particular utility in ten-dimensional physics. Our treatment in this chapter is comparatively elementary and aims mostly to develop the minimum material we require in chapters 13 and 14. In chapter 13, we will discuss supergravity theory in ten dimensions, which at least in perturbation theory is the low-energy limit of ten-dimensional superstring theory. In chapter 14, we will discuss some of the important ideas that arise in compactification from ten to four dimensions. The concluding chapters of this book, chapters 15 and 16, are devoted to more specialized mathematical background and more speculative ideas about compactification.
It is shown that in compactification of superstrings on manifolds of SU(3) holonomy, the superpotential receives no string theoretic corrections from the form it takes in the field theoretic limit, at least to all finite orders in sigma model perturbation theory. Modulo nonperturbative effects, this implies that those manifolds do indeed obey the exact classical equations of super-string theory, as has been argued on other grounds. Also, it is pointed out that the superpotential – even in the field theory limit – contains terms coupling charged fields to E6 singlets as well as self-couplings of the charged fields. A slightly tentative argument is given that on certain manifolds of SU(3) holonomy – though not all – it is possible to find conformally invariant sigma models that, while keeping unbroken supersymmetry, break E8 to SO(10) or SU(5) rather than E6. Including the effects of Wilson lines this would mean that E8 could be broken precisely to SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) while keeping unbroken supersymmetry. These facts may open avenues for solving the problems associated with neutrino masses, proton decay, and renormalization group calculations of coupling constants. They also may lead to models with fewer unknown parameters than have been present in previous quasi-realistic models.
We discuss high energy properties of states for (possibly interacting) quantum fields in curved spacetimes. In particular, if the spacetime is real analytic, we show that an analogue of the timelike tube theorem and the Reeh–Schlieder property hold with respect to states satisfying a weak form of microlocal analyticity condition. The former means the von Neumann algebra of observables of a spacelike tube equals the von Neumann algebra of observables of a significantly bigger region that is obtained by deforming the boundary of the tube in a timelike manner. This generalizes theorems by Araki (Helv Phys Acta 36:132–139, 1963) and Borchers (Nuovo Cim (10) 19:787–793, 1961) to curved spacetimes.
The Feynman path integral of ordinary quantum mechanics is complexified and it is shown that possible integration cycles for this complexified integral are associated with branes in a two-dimensional A-model. This provides a fairly direct explanation of the relationship of the A-model to quantum mechanics; such a relationship has been explored from several points of view in the last few years. These phenomena have an analog for Chern-Simons gauge theory in three dimensions: integration cycles in the path integral of this theory can be derived from N=4 super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. Hence, under certain conditions, a Chern-Simons path integral in three dimensions is equivalent to an N=4 path integral in four dimensions.
