Strings In Flat Space Research Articles

Nonequivalence of Carroll limits in relativistic string theory

We construct new Carroll strings in flat space by considering the Carroll limit of equivalent relativistic string theories at the classical level. In the limit these Carroll strings are no longer equivalent and have different degrees of freedom. This fact is due to a general phenomenon that the configuration space and canonical Lagrangians are no longer equivalent after a singular redefinition of the variables and of the parameters of the starting Lagrangians. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Non-relativistic string monodromies

Spectral curve methods proved to be powerful techniques in the context of relativistic integrable string theories, since they allow us to derive the semiclassical spectrum from the minimal knowledge of a Lax pair and a classical string solution. In this paper we initiate the study of the spectral curve for non-relativistic strings in AdS5 × S5. First, we show that for string solutions whose Lax connection is independent of σ, the eigenvalues of the monodromy matrix do not have any spectral parameter dependence. We remark that this particular behaviour also appears for relativistic strings in flat space. Second, for some simple non-relativistic string solutions where the path ordered exponential of the Lax connection can be computed, we show that the monodromy matrix is either diagonalisable with quasi-momenta independent of the spectral parameter, or non-diagonalisable. For the latter case, we propose a notion of generalised quasi-momenta, based on maximal abelian subalgebras, which retain a dependence on the spectral parameter.

Yang-Baxter deformations of the flat space string

We define integrability preserving Yang-Baxter deformations of symmetric space sigma models with non-semi-simple symmetry group, in particular the flat space string, using only the essential structures of a symmetric space sigma model. For homogeneous deformations, the Lax connection is of the same form as the semi-simple case, although the R operator no longer satisfies a freestanding operator equation. For inhomogeneous deformations, the form of the Lax connection needs to be relaxed, by modifying the underlying algebra. We illustrate the construction by discussing nonabelian deformations of three dimensional Minkowski space.

The broken string in Anti-de Sitter space

This paper describes an efficient method for solving the classical string equations of motion in (2+1)-dimensional anti-de Sitter spacetime. Exact string solutions are identified that are the analogs of piecewise linear strings in flat space. They can be used to approximate any smooth string motion to arbitrary accuracy. Cusps on the string move with the speed of light and their collisions are described by a reflection formula. Explicit examples are shown with the string ending on two boundary quarks. The technique is ideally suited for numerical simulations.

Equivalence of meson scattering amplitudes in strong coupling lattice and flat space string theory

We consider meson scattering in the framework of the lattice strong coupling expansion. In particular we derive an expression for the 4-point function of meson operators in the planar limit of scalar Chromodynamics. Interestingly, in the naive continuum limit the expression coincides with an independently known result, that of the worldline formalism. Moreover, it was argued by Makeenko and Olesen that (assuming confinement) the resulting scattering amplitude in momentum space is the celebrated expression proposed by Veneziano several decades ago. This motivates us to also use holography in order to argue that the continuum expression for the scattering amplitude is related to the result obtained from flat space string theory. Our results hint that at strong coupling and large-Nc the naive continuum limit of the lattice formalism can be related to a flat space string theory.

A Study of Confinement for QQ- Potentials on D3, M2, and M5 Branes

We study analytically and numerically the interaction potentials between a pair of quark and antiquark on D3, M2, and M5 branes. These potentials are obtained using Maldacena’s method involving Wilson loops and present confining and nonconfining behaviours in different situations that we explore in this work. In particular, at the near horizon geometry, the potentials are nonconfining in agreement with conformal field theory expectations. On the other side, far from horizon, the dual field theories are no longer conformal and the potentials present confinement. This is in agreement with the behaviour of strings in flat space where the string mimics the expected flux tube of QCD. A study of the transition between the confining/nonconfining regimes in the three different scenarios (D3, M2, and M5) is also performed.

Quantum deformations of the flat space superstring

We discuss a quantum deformation of the Green-Schwarz superstring on flat space, arising as a contraction limit of the corresponding deformation of AdS_5 x S^5. This contraction limit turns out to be equivalent to a previously studied limit that yields the so-called mirror model - the model obtained from the light cone gauge fixed AdS_5 x S^5 string by a double Wick rotation. Reversing this logic, the AdS_5 x S^5 superstring is the double Wick rotation of a quantum deformation of the flat space superstring. This quantum deformed flat space string realizes symmetries of timelike kappa-Poincare type, and is T dual to dS_5 x H^5, indicating interesting relations between symmetry algebras under T duality. Our results directly extend to AdS_2 x S^2 x T^6 and AdS_3 x S^3 x T^4, and beyond string theory to many (semi)symmetric space coset sigma models, such as for example a deformation of the four dimensional Minkowski sigma model with timelike kappa-Poincare symmetry. We also discuss possible null and spacelike deformations.

Segmented strings in AdS 3

We study segmented strings in flat space and in $AdS_3$. In flat space, these well known classical motions describe strings which at any instant of time are piecewise linear. In $AdS_3$, the worldsheet is composed of faces each of which is a region bounded by null geodesics in an $AdS_2$ subspace of $AdS_3$. The time evolution can be described by specifying the null geodesic motion of kinks in the string at which two segments are joined. The outcome of collisions of kinks on the worldsheet can be worked out essentially using considerations of causality. We study several examples of closed segmented strings in $AdS_3$ and find an unexpected quasi-periodic behavior. We also work out a WKB analysis of quantum states of yo-yo strings in $AdS_3$ and find a logarithmic term reminiscent of the logarithmic twist of string states on the leading Regge trajectory.

Asymptotic symmetry groups and operator algebras

We associate vertex operators to space-time diffeomorphisms in flat space string theory, and compute their algebra, which is a diffeomorphism algebra with higher derivative corrections. As an application, we realize the asymptotic symmetry group BMS3 of three-dimensional flat space in terms of vertex operators on the string worldsheet. This provides an embedding of the BMS3 algebra in a consistent theory of quantum gravity. Higher derivative corrections vanish asymptotically. An appendix is dedicated to alpha prime corrected algebras in conformal field theory and string theory.

Analyticity for multi-Regge limits of the Bern–Dixon–Smirnov amplitudes

As a consequence of the AdS/CFT correspondence, planar N = 4 super-Yang–Mills SU ( N ) theory is expected to exhibit stringy behavior and multi-Regge asymptotic. In this paper we extend our recent investigation to consider issues of analyticity, a central feature of Regge asymptotics. We contrast flat-space open string theory in the planar limit with the N = 4 super-Yang–Mills theory, as represented by the Bern, Dixon and Smirnov (2005) [1] (BDS) conjecture for n-gluon scattering, believed to be exact for n = 4 , 5 and modified only by a function of cross-ratios for n ⩾ 6 . It is emphasized that multi-Regge factorization should be applied to trajectories with definite signature. A variety of analyticity and factorization constraints realized in flat space string theory are not satisfied by the BDS conjecture, at least when the exponential factors are truncate in the infra-red regulator below O ( ϵ ) .

HAGEDORN STRINGS IN AdS3

Motivated by the possibility of formulating a strings/black hole correspondence in AdS space, we extract the Hagedorn behavior of thermal AdS 3 bosonic string from 1-loop partition function of SL(2,R) WZW model. We find that the Hagedorn temperature is monotonically increasing as the AdS radius shrinks, reaches a maximum of order of string scale set by the unitarity bound of the CFT for internal space. The resulting density of states near the Hagedorn temperature resembles the form as for strings in flat space and is dominated by the space-like long string configurations. We also examine strings on BTZ background obtained through SL(2, Z) transformation. We find a tachyonic divergence for a BTZ black hole of string scale size.

DLCQ strings, twist fields and one-loop correlators on a permutation orbifold

We investigate some aspects of the relationship between matrix string theory and light-cone string field theory by analysing the correspondence between the two-loop thermal partition function of DLCQ strings in flat space and the integrated two-point correlator of twist fields in a symmetric product orbifold conformal field theory at one-loop order. This is carried out by deriving combinatorial expressions for generic twist field correlation functions in permutation orbifolds using the covering surface method, by deriving the one-loop modification of the twist field interaction vertex, and by relating the two-loop finite temperature DLCQ string theory to the theory of Prym varieties for genus two covers of an elliptic curve. The case of bosonic Z 2 orbifolds is worked out explicitly and precise agreement between both amplitudes is found. We use these techniques to derive explicit expressions for Z 2 orbifold spin twist field correlation functions in the type II and heterotic string theories.

Hagedorn strings and correspondence principle in AdS3

Motivated by the possibility of formulating a strings/black hole correspondence in AdS space, we extract the Hagedorn behavior of thermal AdS3 bosonic string from 1-loop partition function of SL(2, R) WZW model. We find that the Hagedorn temperature is monotonically increasing as the AdS radius shrinks, reaches a maximum of order of string scale set by the unitarity bound of the CFT for internal space. The resulting density of states near the Hagedorn temperature resembles the form as for strings in flat space and is dominated by the space-like long string configurations. We then argue a conjectured strings/black hole correspondence in AdS space by applying the Hagedorn thermodynamics. We find the size of the corresponding black hole is a function of the AdS radius. For large AdS radius a black hole far bigger than the string scale will form. On the contrary, when the AdS and string scales are comparable a string size black hole will form. We also examine strings on BTZ background obtained through SL(2, Z) transformation. We find a tachyonic divergence for a BTZ black hole of string scale size.

Semilocal cosmic string networks

We report on a large-scale numerical study of networks of semilocal cosmic strings in flat space in the parameter regime in which they are perturbatively stable. We find a population of segments with an exponential length distribution and indications of a scaling network without significant loop formation. Very deep in the stability regime strings of superhorizon size grow rapidly and ``percolate'' through the box. We believe these should lead at late times to a population of infinite strings similar to topologically stable strings. However, the strings are very light; scalar gradients dominate the energy density, and the network has thus a global texturelike signature. As a result, the observational constraints, at least from the temperature power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background, on models predicting semilocal strings should be closer to those on global textures or monopoles, rather than on topologically stable gauged cosmic strings.

ACTION FOR (FREE) OPEN STRING MODES IN AdS SPACE USING THE LOOP VARIABLE APPROACH

The loop variable technique (for open strings in flat space) is a gauge-invariant generalization of the renormalization group method for obtaining equations of motion. Unlike the beta functions, which are only proportional to the equations of motion, here it gives the full equation of motion. In an earlier paper, a technique was described for adapting this method to open strings in gravitational backgrounds. However, unlike the flat space case, these equations cannot be derived from an action and are therefore not complete. This is because there are ambiguities in the method that involve curvature couplings that cannot be fixed by appealing to gauge invariance alone but need a more complete treatment of the closed string background. An indirect method to resolve these ambiguities is to require symmetricity of the second derivatives of the action. In general this will involve modifying the equations by terms with arbitrarily high powers of curvature tensors. This is illustrated for the massive spin-two field. It is shown that in the special case of an AdS or dS background, the exact action can easily be determined in this way.

The Algebraic Curve of Classical Superstrings on AdS 5×S 5

We investigate the monodromy of the Lax connection for classical IIB superstrings on AdS_5xS^5. For any solution of the equations of motion we derive a spectral curve of degree 4+4. The curve consists purely of conserved quantities, all gauge degrees of freedom have been eliminated in this form. The most relevant quantities of the solution, such as its energy, can be expressed through certain holomorphic integrals on the curve. This allows for a classification of finite gap solutions analogous to the general solution of strings in flat space. The role of fermions in the context of the algebraic curve is clarified. Finally, we derive a set of integral equations which reformulates the algebraic curve as a Riemann-Hilbert problem. They agree with the planar, one-loop N=4 supersymmetric gauge theory proving the complete agreement of spectra in this approximation.

On the Hagedorn behaviour of singular scale-invariant plane waves

As a step towards understanding the properties of string theory in time-dependent and singular spacetimes, we study the divergence of density operators for string ensembles in singular scale-invariant plane waves, i.e. those plane waves that arise as the Penrose limits of generic power-law spacetime singularities. We show that the scale invariance implies that the Hagedorn behaviour of bosonic and supersymmetric strings in these backgrounds, even with the inclusion of RR or NS fields, is the same as that of strings in flat space. This is in marked contrast to the behaviour of strings in the BFHP plane wave which exhibit quantitatively and qualitatively different thermodynamic properties.

Explicitly connectingTand Buscher dualities in string theory

Buscher duality is a sigma-model duality, implemented by transformation of the target space. Not only in the case of a flat target space, but in a general background, should the Buscher duality reduce to the T-duality familiar in the flat-space string context. We exhibit this reduction explicitly using a pp-wave background as a tractable example. String theory is solved in a compactified Nappi-Witten background and the Buscher-dual theory is likewise solved. The Hamiltonian is computed in both cases, and the results are verified to be T-dual.

Quarkonium from the Fifth Dimension

Adding fundamental matter of mass m_Q to N=4 Yang Mills theory, we study quarkonium, and "generalized quarkonium" containing light adjoint particles. At large 't Hooft coupling the states of spin<=1 are anomalously light (Kruczenski et al., hep-th/0304032). We examine their form factors, and show these hadrons are unlike any known in QCD. By a traditional yardstick they appear infinite in size (as with strings in flat space) but we show that this is a failure of the yardstick. All of the hadrons are actually of finite size ~ \sqrt{g^2N}/m_Q, regardless of their radial excitation level and of how many valence adjoint particles they contain. Certain form factors for spin-1 quarkonia vanish in the large-g^2N limit; thus these hadrons resemble neither the observed J/Psi quarkonium states nor rho mesons.

Strings in flat space and plane waves from N = 4 super Yang Mills

We explain how the string spectrum in flat space and plane waves arises from the large N limit of U(N) N = 4 super Yang Mills. We reproduce the spectrum by summing a subset of the planar Feynman diagrams. We also describe some other aspects of string propagation on plane wave backgrounds. This talk based on [1].