The Quantum Consistency of the Ten-Dimensional Heterotic String Effective Action

Abstract

The finiteness of superstring theory at each order in perturbation theory is considered with respect to the ten-dimensional effective action. The quantum consistency of the ten-dimensional superstring effective action is confirmed with an analysis of the perturbative expansion of the quartic sector. It is found to be compatible with the finiteness of reduced four-dimensional theory. Furthermore, implications for the validity of superstring perturbation theory at lower energies is considered.