Exact solutions of closed string theory

Abstract

We review explicitly known exact D = 4 solutions with Minkowski signature in closed bosonic string theory. Classical string solutions with spacetime interpretation are represented by conformal sigma models. Two large (intersecting) classes of solutions are described by gauged WZW models and `chiral null models' (models with conserved chiral null current). The latter class includes plane-wave-type backgrounds (admitting a covariantly constant null Killing vector) and backgrounds with two null Killing vectors (e.g. fundamental string solution). D>4 chiral null models describe some exact D = 4 solutions with electromagnetic fields, for example, extreme electric black holes, charged fundamental strings and their generalizations. In addition, there exists a class of conformal models representing axially symmetric stationary magnetic flux tube backgrounds (including, in particular, the dilatonic Melvin solution). In contrast to spherically symmetric chiral null models for which the corresponding conformal field theory is not known explicitly, the magnetic flux tube models (together with some non-semisimple WZW models) are among the first examples of solvable unitary conformal string models with non-trivial D = 4 curved spacetime interpretation. For these models one is able to express the quantum Hamiltonian in terms of free fields and to find explicitly the physical spectrum and string partition function.