Non-perturbative String Theory Research Articles

The String Theory Landscape

String/M theory is formulated in 10 and 11 space-time dimensions; in order to describe our universe, we must postulate that six or seven of the spatial dimensions form a small compact manifold. In 1985, Candelas et al. showed that by taking the extra dimensions to be a Calabi–Yau manifold, one could obtain the grand unified theories which had previously been postulated as extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Over the years since, many more such compactifications were found. In the early 2000s, progress in nonperturbative string theory enabled computing the approximate effective potential for many compactifications, and it was found that they have metastable local minima with small cosmological constant. Thus, string/M theory appears to have many vacuum configurations which could describe our universe. By combining results on these vacua with a measure factor derived using the theory of eternal inflation, one gets a theoretical framework which realizes earlier ideas about the multiverse, including the anthropic solution to the cosmological constant problem. We review these arguments and some of the criticisms, with their implications for the prediction of low energy supersymmetry and hidden matter sectors, as well as recent work on a variation on eternal inflation theory motivated by computational complexity considerations.

Non-perturbative string theory from AdS/CFT

The large N expansion of giant graviton correlators is considered. Giant gravitons are described using operators with a bare dimension of order N . In this case the usual 1/N expansion is not applicable and there are contributions to the correlator that are non-perturbative in character. By writing the (square of the) correlators in terms of the hypergeometric function 2F1(a, b; c; 1), we are able to rephrase the 1/N expansion of the correlator as a semi-classical expansion for a Schrödinger equation. In this way we are able to argue that the 1/N expansion of the correlator is Borel summable and that it exhibits a parametric Stokes phenomenon as the angular momentum of the giant graviton is varied.

Holographic space and time: Emergent in what sense?

This paper proposes a metaphysics for holographic duality. In addition to the AdS/CFT correspondence I also consider the dS/CFT conjecture of duality. Both involve non-perturbative string theory and both are exact dualities. But while the AdS/CFT keeps time at the margins of the story, the dS/CFT conjecture gives to time the “space” it deserves by presenting an interesting holographic model of it. My goals in this paper can be summarized in the following way. First, I argue that the formal structure and physical content of the duality do not support the standard philosophical reading of the relation in terms of grounding. Second, I put forward a philosophical scheme mainly extrapolated from the double aspect monism theory. I read holographic duality in this framework as it seems to fit the mathematical and physical structure of the duality smoothly. Inside this framework I propose a notion of spacetime emergence alternative to those ones commonly debated in the AdS/CFT physics and philosophy circles.

SPECIAL LAGRANGIAN SUB-MANIFOLDS AND SUPER-SYMMETRY

Special Lagrangian sub-manifolds of Calabi–Yau (CY) 3-folds are used to describe membrane instanton solutions of N = 1, 11-dimensional super-gravity theories. Super-symmetry is the essential ingredient that relates super-gravity branes to special Lagrangian sub-manifolds [K. Becker, M. Becker and A. Strominger, Fivebranes, membranes and non-perturbative string theory, Nucl. Phys. B456(1–2) (1995) 135–152]. In this note we would like to explain this relation, more explicitly and with more details than in the current literature.

A landscape in boundary string field theory: New class of solutions with massive state condensation

We solve the equation of motion of boundary string field theory allowing generic boundary operators quadratic in $X$, and explore string theory non-perturbative vacua with massive state condensation. Using numerical analysis, a large number of new solutions are found. Their energies turn out to distribute densely in the range between the D-brane tension and the energy of the tachyon vacuum. We discuss an interpretation of these solutions as perturbative closed string states. From the cosmological point of view, the distribution of the energies can be regarded as the so-called landscape of string theory, as we have a vast number of non-perturbative string theory solutions including one with small vacuum energy.

Non-perturbative string theory from water waves

We use a combination of a ’t Hooft limit and numerical methods to find non-perturbative solutions of exactly solvable string theories, showing that perturbative solutions in different asymptotic regimes are connected by smooth interpolating functions. Our earlier perturbative work showed that a large class of minimal string theories arise as special limits of a Painlevé IV hierarchy of string equations that can be derived by a similarity reduction of the dispersive water wave hierarchy of differential equations. The hierarchy of string equations contains new perturbative solutions, some of which were conjectured to be the type IIA and IIB string theories coupled to (4, 4k − 2) superconformal minimal models of type (A, D). Our present paper shows that these new theories have smooth non-perturbative extensions. We also find evidence for putative new string theories that were not apparent in the perturbative analysis.

On the Minimal Length Uncertainty Relation and the Foundations of String Theory

We review our work on the minimal length uncertainty relation as suggested by perturbative string theory. We discuss simple phenomenological implications of the minimal length uncertainty relation and then argue that the combination of the principles of quantum theory and general relativity allow for a dynamical energy-momentum space. We discuss the implication of this for the problem of vacuum energy and the foundations of nonperturbative string theory.

Constraining parity violation in gravity with measurements of neutron-star moments of inertia

Neutron stars are sensitive laboratories for testing general relativity, especially when considering deviations where velocities are relativistic and gravitational fields are strong. One such deviation is described by dynamical, Chern-Simons modified gravity, where the Einstein-Hilbert action is modified through the addition of the gravitational parity-violating Pontryagin density coupled to a field. This four-dimensional effective theory arises naturally both in perturbative and non-perturbative string theory, loop quantum gravity, and generic effective field theory expansions. We calculate here Chern-Simons modifications to the properties and gravitational fields of slowly spinning neutron stars. We find that the Chern-Simons correction affects only the gravitomagnetic sector of the metric to leading order, thus introducing modifications to the moment of inertia but not to the mass-radius relation. We show that an observational determination of the moment of inertia to an accuracy of 10%, as is expected from near-future observations of the double pulsar, will place a constraint on the Chern-Simons coupling constant of \xi^{1/4} < 5 km, which is at least three-orders of magnitude stronger than the previous strongest bound.

Recent results in four-dimensional non-perturbative string theory

We review recent progress in understanding non-perturbative instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type II string compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds.

Recent results in four-dimensional non-perturbative string theory

We review recent progress in understanding non-perturbative instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type II string compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds.

Introduction to string theory and string compactifications

Basics of some topics on perturbative and non-perturbative string theory are reviewed. After a mathematical survey of the Standard Model of particle physics and GUTs, the bosonic string kinematics for the free case and with interaction is described. The effective action of the bosonic string and the spectrum is also discussed. T-duality in closed and open strings and the definition of D-brane are surveyed. Five perturbative superstring theories and their spectra is briefly outlined. Calabi-Yau three-fold compactifications of heterotic strings and their relation to some four-dimensional physics are given. Finally, non-perturbative issues like S-duality, M-theory and F-theory are also reviewed.

A PROPOSAL TO RESOLVE THE BLACK HOLE INFORMATION PARADOX

The entropy and information puzzles arising from black holes cannot be resolved if quantum gravity effects remain confined to a microscopic scale. We use concrete computations in nonperturbative string theory to argue for three kinds of nonlocal effects that operate over macroscopic distances. These effects arise when we make a bound state of a large number of branes, and occur at the correct scale to resolve the paradoxes associated with black holes.

Random graph gauge theories as toy modelsfor non-perturbative string theories

We present simple models which exhibit some of the remarkable featuresexpected to hold for the as yet unknown non-perturbativeformulation of string theories.Among these are: (a) the absence of a background or embedding space forthefull theory; (b) perturbative ground states (local minima of the action)having the characteristics of spaces of differentdimension; (c) duality transformations between large- and small-couplingexpansions; and (d) perturbative excitations ofthese ground states which can be interpreted asstring worldsheets or p-brane worldvolumes.In this context we formulate gauge theories on arbitrary graphs andspeculate concerning actions for graphs which in a continuum and/orthermodynamiclimit might be related to the Einstein-Hilbert action.

On M-Theory

This contribution gives a personal view on recent attempts to find a unified framework for non-perturbative string theories, with special emphasis on the hidden symmetries of supergravity and their possible role in this endeavor. A reformulation ofd = 11 supergravity with enlarged tangent space symmetry SO(1, 2) × SO(16) is discussed from this perspective, as well as an ansatz to construct yet further versions with SO(1, 1) × SO(16)∞ and possibly even SO(1, 1)+ × ISO(16)∞ tangent space symmetry. It is suggested that upon “third quantization”, dimensionally reduced maximal supergravity may have an equally important role to play in this unification as the dimensionally reduced maximally supersymmetricSU(∞) Yang Mills theory.

Short-distance space-time structure and black holes in string theory: a short review of the present status

We briefly review the present status of string theory from the viewpoint of its implications on the short-distance space-time structure and black hole physics. Special emphases are given on two closely related issues in recent developments towards nonperturbative string theory, namely, the role of the space-time uncertainty relation as a qualitative but universal characterization of the short-distance structure of string theory and the microscopic formulation of black-hole entropies. We will also suggest that the space-time uncertainty relation can be an underlying principle for the holographic property of M theory, by showing that the space-time uncertainty relation naturally explains the UV/IR relation used in a recent derivation of the holographic bound for D3 brane by Susskind and Witten.

String model of black hole microstates

The statistical mechanics of black holes arbitrarily far from extremality is modeled by a gas of weakly interacting strings. As an effective low energy description of black holes the model provides a number of highly non-trivial consistency checks and predictions. Speculations on a fundamental origin of the model suggest surprising simplifications in non-perturbative string theory, even in the absence of supersymmetry.

Grassmannian and String Theory

Infinite-dimensional Grassmannian manifold contains moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces of all genera. This well known fact leads to a conjecture that non-perturbative string theory can be formulated in terms of Grassmannian. We present new facts supporting this hypothesis. In particular, it is shown that Grassmannians can be considered as generalized moduli spaces; this statement permits us to define corresponding "string amplitudes" (at least formally). One can conjecture, that it is possible to explain the relation between non-perturbative and perturbative string theory by means of localization theorems for equivariant cohomology; this conjecture is based on the characterization of moduli spaces, relevant to string theory, as sets consisting of points with large stabilizers in certain groups acting on Grassmannian. We describe an involution on the Grassmannian that could be related to S-duality in string theory.

Dirichlet boundary state in a linear dilaton background.

Dirichlet-branes have emerged as important objects in studying nonperturbative string theory. It is important to generalize these objects to more general backgrounds other than the usual flat background. The simplest case is the linear dilaton condensate. The usual Dirichlet boundary condition violates conformal invariance in such a background. We show that by switching on a certain boundary interaction, conformal invariance is restored. An immediate application of this result is to two dimensional string theory.

Duality and gauge symmetry in non-perturbative string theory

Duality and gauge symmetry in non-perturbative string theory

Two-dimensional gravity, matrix models and nonperturbative string theory

We review some of the recent developments in nonperturbative string theory and discuss their connections with black hole physics and low dimensional fermi systems.