Numerical solution of open string field theory in Schnabl gauge

Abstract

Using traditional Virasoro L0 level-truncation computations, we evaluate the open bosonic string field theory action up to level (10, 30). Extremizing this level-truncated potential, we construct a numerical solution for tachyon condensation in Schnabl gauge. We find that the energy associated to the numerical solution overshoots the expected value −1 at level L = 6. Extrapolating the level-truncation data for L ≤ 10 to estimate the vacuum energies for L > 10, we predict that the energy reaches a minimum value at L ∼ 12, and then turns back to approach −1 asymptotically as L → ∞. Furthermore, we analyze the tachyon vacuum expectation value (vev), for which by extrapolating its corresponding level-truncation data, we predict that the tachyon vev reaches a minimum value at L ∼ 26, and then turns back to approach the expected analytical result as L → ∞.