Relativistic String Research Articles

Torsional deformation of nonrelativistic string theory

Nonrelativistic string theory is a self-contained corner of string theory, with its string spectrum enjoying a Galilean-invariant dispersion relation. This theory is unitary and ultraviolet complete, and can be studied from first principles. In these notes, we focus on the bosonic closed string sector. In curved spacetime, nonrelativistic string theory is defined by a renormalizable quantum nonlinear sigma model in background fields, following certain symmetry principles that disallow any deformation towards relativistic string theory. We review previous proposals of such symmetry principles and propose a modified version that might be useful for supersymmetrizations. The appropriate target-space geometry determined by these local spacetime symmetries is string Newton-Cartan geometry. This geometry is equipped with a two-dimensional foliation structure that is restricted by torsional constraints. Breaking the symmetries that give rise to such torsional constraints in the target space will in general generate quantum corrections to a marginal deformation in the worldsheet quantum field theory. Such a deformation induces a renormalization group flow towards sigma models that describe relativistic strings.

The Dirac Electron Consistent with Proper Gravitational and Electromagnetic Field of the Kerr–Newman Solution

The Dirac electron is considered as a particle-like solution consistent with its own Kerr–Newman (KN) gravitational field. In our previous works we considered the regularized by López KN solution as a bag-like soliton model formed from the Higgs field in a supersymmetric vacuum state. This bag takes the shape of a thin superconducting disk coupled with circular string placed along its perimeter. Using the unique features of the Kerr–Schild coordinate system, which linearizes Dirac equation in KN space, we obtain the solution of the Dirac equations consistent with the KN gravitational and electromagnetic field, and show that the corresponding solution takes the form of a massless relativistic string. Obvious parallelism with Heisenberg and Schrödinger pictures of quantum theory explains remarkable features of the electron in its interaction with gravity and in the relativistic scattering processes.

T-duality in nonrelativistic open string theory

Nonrelativistic open string theory is defined by a worldsheet theory that produces a Galilean invariant string spectrum and is described at low energies by a nonrelativistic Yang-Mills theory [1]. We study T-duality transformations in the path integral for the sigma model that describes nonrelativistic open string theory coupled to an arbitrary closed string background, described by a string Newton-Cartan geometry, Kalb-Ramond, and dilaton field. We prove that T-duality transformations map nonrelativistic open string theory to relativistic and noncommutative open string theory in the discrete light cone quantization (DLCQ), a quantization scheme relevant for Matrix string theory. We also show how the worldvolume dynamics of nonrelativistic open string theory described by the Dirac-Born-Infeld type action found in [1] maps to the Dirac-Born-Infeld actions describing the worldvolume theories of the DLCQ of open string theory and noncommutative open string theory.

The World as a Neural Network.

We discuss a possibility that the entire universe on its most fundamental level is a neural network. We identify two different types of dynamical degrees of freedom: “trainable” variables (e.g., bias vector or weight matrix) and “hidden” variables (e.g., state vector of neurons). We first consider stochastic evolution of the trainable variables to argue that near equilibrium their dynamics is well approximated by Madelung equations (with free energy representing the phase) and further away from the equilibrium by Hamilton–Jacobi equations (with free energy representing the Hamilton’s principal function). This shows that the trainable variables can indeed exhibit classical and quantum behaviors with the state vector of neurons representing the hidden variables. We then study stochastic evolution of the hidden variables by considering D non-interacting subsystems with average state vectors, , …, and an overall average state vector . In the limit when the weight matrix is a permutation matrix, the dynamics of can be described in terms of relativistic strings in an emergent dimensional Minkowski space-time. If the subsystems are minimally interacting, with interactions that are described by a metric tensor, and then the emergent space-time becomes curved. We argue that the entropy production in such a system is a local function of the metric tensor which should be determined by the symmetries of the Onsager tensor. It turns out that a very simple and highly symmetric Onsager tensor leads to the entropy production described by the Einstein–Hilbert term. This shows that the learning dynamics of a neural network can indeed exhibit approximate behaviors that were described by both quantum mechanics and general relativity. We also discuss a possibility that the two descriptions are holographic duals of each other.

Riemann problem and wave interactions for the one-dimensional relativistic string equation in Minkowski space

In this paper, we consider the Riemann problem for the one-dimensional relativistic string equation in Minkowski space. It is shown that the delta shock wave will be constructed in the Riemann solutions in some certain situations. Furthermore, the interactions of elementary waves including contact discontinuity and delta shock wave are obtained.

Note about canonical description of T-duality along light-like isometry

In this short note we analyze canonical description of T-duality along light-like isometry. We show that T-duality of relativistic string theory on this background leads to non-relativistic string theory action on T-dual background.

Quasi-Periodic Relativistic Strings in the Minkowski Space $$\mathbf{R }^{1+n}$$

In this article, we consider the motion of relativistic strings in the Minkowski space $$\mathbf{R }^{1+n}$$ . Those surfaces are known as a timelike minimal surface, and described by a system with n nonlinear wave equations of Born-Infeld type. The one dimensional Born-Infeld equation $$ x_{tt}(1+x_\theta ^2)-x_{\theta \theta }(1-x_t^2)=2x_tx_\theta x_{t\theta } $$ admits an exact time quasi-periodic solution $$ x(t,\theta )=\sin \Big ((\omega \cdot l)t+\theta \Big )-\sin \Big ((\omega \cdot l)t-\theta \Big ), $$ where $$\omega \in \mathbf{R }^n$$ denotes the frequencies, and $$l\in \mathbf{Z }^n$$ . By constructing a suitable Nash–Moser iteration scheme, we prove that relativistic strings can admit a more generalized time quasi-periodic motion in $$\mathbf{R }^{1+n}$$ . Moreover, those time quasi-periodic solutions are also timelike solutions.

Stability of traveling wave for the relativistic string equation in de Sitter spacetime

In this paper, we are concerned with the relativistic string equations in de Sitter spacetime. Since the background spacetime is nonflat, the governing system of equations is semilinear under the usual isothermal coordinates, contrary to the linear wave equations in the Minkowski spacetime. Based on the null condition enjoyed by the system and the method of [Luli et al., Adv. Math 329, 174–188 (2018)], we succeeded in proving the stability of the traveling wave solution to the relativistic string equations. We note that the traveling wave solution should be small in the sense of weighted energy.

String theory and string Newton–Cartan geometry**Dedicated to the memory of P G O Freund.

Nonrelativistic string theory is described by a sigma model with a relativistic worldsheet and a nonrelativistic target spacetime geometry, that is called string Newton–Cartan geometry. In this paper we obtain string Newton–Cartan geometry as a limit of the Riemannian geometry of general relativity with a fluxless two-form field. We then apply the same limit to relativistic string theory in curved background fields and show that it leads to nonrelativistic string theory in a string Newton–Cartan geometry coupled to a Kalb–Ramond and dilaton field background. Finally, we use our limiting procedure to study the spacetime equations of motion and the T-duality transformations of nonrelativistic string theory. Our results reproduce the recent studies of beta-functions and T-duality of nonrelativistic string theory obtained from the microscopic worldsheet definition of nonrelativistic string theory.

Relating non-relativistic string theories

Non-relativistic string theories promise to provide simpler theories of quantum gravity as well as tractable limits of the AdS/CFT correspondence. However, several apparently distinct non-relativistic string theories have been constructed. In particular, one approach is to reduce a relativistic string along a null isometry in target space. Another method is to perform an appropriate large speed of light expansion of a relativistic string. Both of the resulting non-relativistic string theories only have a well-defined spectrum if they have nonzero winding along a longitudinal spatial direction. In the presence of a Kalb-Ramond field, we show that these theories are equivalent provided the latter direction is an isometry. Finally, we consider a further limit of non-relativistic string theory that has proven useful in the context of AdS/CFT (related to Spin Matrix Theory). In that case, the worldsheet theory itself becomes non-relativistic and the dilaton coupling vanishes.

Nonrelativistic string theory in background fields

Nonrelativistic string theory is a unitary, ultraviolet finite quantum gravity theory with a nonrelativistic string spectrum. The vertex operators of the worldsheet theory determine the spacetime geometry of nonrelativistic string theory, known as the string Newton-Cartan geometry. We compute the Weyl anomaly of the nonrelativistic string worldsheet sigma model describing strings propagating in a string Newton-Cartan geometry, Kalb-Ramond and dilaton background. We derive the equations of motion that dictate the backgrounds on which nonrelativistic string theory can be consistently defined quantum mechanically. The equations of motion we find from our study of the conformal anomaly of the worldsheet theory are to nonrelativistic string theory what the (super)gravity equations of motion are to relativistic string theory.

Dynamics of the quark-antiquark interaction and the universality of Regge trajectories

The dynamical picture of a quark-antiquark interaction in light mesons, which provides linearity of radial and orbital Regge trajectories (RT), is studied with the use of the relativistic string Hamiltonian with flattened confining potential and taking into account the self-energy and string corrections. Due to the flattening effect both slopes, $\beta_n$ of the radial and $\beta_l$ of the orbital RT, decrease by $\sim 30\%$ with the value of $\beta_n=1.30(5)$~GeV$^2$ being larger than $ \beta_l=0.95(5)$~GeV. The self-energy correction provides the linearity of RT and remains important up to very high excitations; the string correction decreases the slope of the orbital RT, while the intercept $\beta_0=0.51(1)~ $GeV$^2$ is equal to the squared centroid mass of $\rho(1S)$. If the universal gluon-exchanged potential without fitting parameters and screening function, as in heavy quarkonia, is taken, then the slope of the radial RT decreases, $\beta_n=1.15(8)$~GeV$^2$, and its value coincides with the slope of the orbital RT, $\beta_l=1.08(8)$~GeV$^2$ within theoretical errors, producing the universal RT.

Note about T-duality of non-relativistic string

In this note we perform canonical analysis of T-duality for non-relativistic string in stringy Newton-Cartan background. We confirm recent result that T-duality along longitudinal spatial direction of stringy Newton-Cartan geometry maps non-relativistic string to the relativistic string that propagates on the background with light-like isometry.

Entanglement and thermalization

In a quantum field theory, apparent thermalization can be a consequence of entanglement as opposed to scatterings. We discuss here how this can help to explain open puzzles such as the success of thermal models in electron-positron collisions. It turns out that an expanding relativistic string described by the Schwinger model (which also underlies the Lund model) has at early times an entanglement entropy that is extensive in rapidity. At these early times, the reduced density operator is of thermal form, with an entanglement temperature Tτ=ħ/(2πkBτ), even in the absence of any scatterings.

Nonrelativistic string theory and T-duality

Nonrelativistic string theory in flat spacetime is described by a two-dimensional quantum field theory with a nonrelativistic global symmetry acting on the worldsheet fields. Nonrelativistic string theory is unitary, ultraviolet complete and has a string spectrum and spacetime S-matrix enjoying nonrelativistic symmetry. The worldsheet theory of nonrelativistic string theory is coupled to a curved spacetime background and to a Kalb-Ramond two-form and dilaton field. The appropriate spacetime geometry for nonrelativistic string theory is dubbed string Newton-Cartan geometry, which is distinct from Riemannian geometry. This defines the sigma model of nonrelativistic string theory describing strings propagating and interacting in curved background fields. We also implement T-duality transformations in the path integral of this sigma model and uncover the spacetime interpretation of T-duality. We show that T-duality along the longitudinal direction of the string Newton-Cartan geometry describes relativistic string theory on a Lorentzian geometry with a compact lightlike isometry, which is otherwise only defined by a subtle infinite boost limit. This relation provides a first principles definition of string theory in the discrete light cone quantization (DLCQ) in an arbitrary background, a quantization that appears in nonperturbative approaches to quantum field theory and string/M-theory, such as in Matrix theory. T-duality along a transverse direction of the string Newton-Cartan geometry equates nonrelativistic string theory in two distinct, T-dual backgrounds.

Hamiltonian for a string in a Newton-Cartan background

This paper is devoted to the construction of the Hamiltonian for non-relativistic string in the Newton-Cartan background. We start with the Hamiltonian for relativistic string in general background. Then we perform limiting procedure on the metric that leads to Newton-Cartan background. We determine constraint structure for non-relativistic string and show that these constraints are the first class constraints. Then we determine corresponding Lagrangian and discuss its properties.

Evidence of cosmic strings by the observation of the alignment of quasar polarization axes on Mpc scale

The recently found alignment of the polarization axes (PA) of quasars in large quasar groups (LQGs) on Mpc scales can be explained by general relativistic cosmic string networks. By considering the cosmic string as a result of spontaneous symmetry breaking of the gauged U(1) abelian Higgs model with topological charge [Formula: see text], many stability features of [Formula: see text]-vortex solutions of superconductivity can be taken over. Decay of the high multiplicity ([Formula: see text]) super-conducting vortex into a lattice of [Formula: see text] vortices of unit magnetic flux is energetically favorable. The temporarily broken axial symmetry will leave an imprint of a preferred azimuthal-angle on the lattice. The stability of the lattice depends critically on the parameters of the model, especially when gravity comes into play. In order to handle the strong nonlinear behavior of the time-dependent coupled field equations of gravity and the scalar-gauge field, we will use a high-frequency approximation scheme to second order on a warped 5D axially symmetric spacetime with the scalar-gauge field residing on the brane. We consider different winding numbers for the subsequent orders of perturbations of the scalar field. A profound contribution to the energy–momentum tensor comes from the bulk spacetime and can be understood as “dark”-energy. The cosmic string becomes super-massive by the contribution of the 5D Weyl tensor on the brane and the stored azimuthal preferences will not fade away. During the recovery to axial symmetry, gravitational and electro-magnetic radiation will be released. The perturbative appearance of a nonzero energy–momentum component [Formula: see text] can be compared with the phenomenon of bifurcation along the Maclaurin–Jacobi sequence of equilibrium ellipsoids of self-gravitating compact objects, signaling the onset of secular instabilities. There is a kind of similarity with the Goldstone-boson modes of spontaneously broken symmetries of continuous groups. The recovery of the SO(2) symmetry from the equatorial eccentricity takes place on a time-scale comparable with the emission of gravitational waves. The emergent azimuthal-angle dependency in our model can be used to explain the aligned PA in LQGs on Mpc scales. Spin axis direction perpendicular to the major axes of LQGs when the richness decreases can be explained as a second-order effect in our approximation scheme by the higher multiplicity terms. The preferred directions are modulo [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] being an integer dependent on the [Formula: see text]th order of approximation. When more data of quasars of high redshift becomes available, one could prove that the alignment emerged after the symmetry breaking scale and must have a cosmological origin. The effect of the warp factor on the second-order perturbations could also be an indication of the existence of extra large dimensions.

Note about Hamiltonian formalism for Newton\u2013Cartan string and p-brane

We construct non-relativistic string and p-brane actions in Newton–Cartan background using the limiting procedure from the relativistic string and p-brane action in general background. We also find their Hamiltonian formulations when however we restrict ourselves to the case of the vanishing gauge field m_mu .

On fine structure of strings: the universal correction to the Veneziano amplitude

We consider theories of weakly interacting higher spin particles in flat space-time. We focus on the four-point scattering amplitude at high energies and imaginary scattering angles. The leading asymptotic of the amplitude in this regime is universal and equal to the corresponding limit of the Veneziano amplitude. In this paper, we find tha the first sub-leading correction to this asymptotic is universal as well. We compute the correction using a model of relativistic strings with massive endpoints. We argue that it is unique using holography, effective theory of long strings and bootstrap techniques.

Rotating elastic string loops in flat and black hole spacetimes: stability, cosmic censorship and the Penrose process

We rederive the equations of motion for relativistic strings, that is, one-dimensional elastic bodies whose internal energy depends only on their stretching, and use them to study circular string loops rotating in the equatorial plane of flat and black hole spacetimes. We start by obtaining the conditions for equilibrium, and find that: (i) if the string’s longitudinal speed of sound does not exceed the speed of light then its radius when rotating in Minkowski’s spacetime is always larger than its radius when at rest; (ii) in Minkowski’s spacetime, equilibria are linearly stable for rotation speeds below a certain threshold, higher than the string’s longitudinal speed of sound, and linearly unstable for some rotation speeds above it; (iii) equilibria are always linearly unstable in Schwarzschild’s spacetime. Moreover, we study interactions of a rotating string loop with a Kerr black hole, namely in the context of the weak cosmic censorship conjecture and the Penrose process. We find that: (i) elastic string loops that satisfy the null energy condition cannot overspin extremal black holes; (ii) elastic string loops that satisfy the dominant energy condition cannot increase the maximum efficiency of the usual particle Penrose process; (iii) if the dominant energy condition (but not the weak energy condition) is violated then the efficiency can be increased. This last result hints at the interesting possibility that the dominant energy condition may underlie the well known upper bounds for the efficiencies of energy extraction processes (including, for example, superradiance).