Flux-tube formation and holographic tunneling

We consider correlator of two concentric Wilson loops, a small and large ones related to the problem of flux-tube formation. There are three mechanisms which can contribute to the connected correlator and yield different dependences on the radius of the small loop. The first one is quite standard and concerns exchange by supergravity modes. We also consider a novel mechanism when the flux-tube formation is described by a barrier transition in the string language, dual to the field-theoretic formulation of Yang–Mills theories. The most interesting possibility within this approach is resonant tunneling which would enhance the correlator of the Wilson loops for particular geometries. The third possibility involves exchange by a dyonic string supplied with the string junction. We introduce also 't Hooft and composite dyonic loops as probes of the flux tube. Implications for lattice measurements are briefly discussed.     

Self-gravitating strings and string/black hole correspondence

In a recent essay, we discussed the possibility of using polymer sizing to model the collapse of a single, long excited string to a black hole. In this letter, we apply this idea to bring further support to string/black hole correspondence. In particular, we reproduce Horowitz and Polchinki's results for self-gravitating fundamental strings and speculate on the nature of the quantum degrees of freedom of black holes in string theory.     

On BRST quantization of second class constraint algebras

A BRST quantization of second-class constraint algebras that avoids Dirac brackets is constructed, and the BRST operator is shown to be related to the BRST operator of first class algebra by a nonunitary canonical transformation. The transformation converts the second class algebra into an effective first class algebra with the help of an auxiliary second class algebra constructed from the dynamical Lagrange multipliers of the Dirac approach. The BRST invariant path integral for second class algebras is related to the path integral of the pertinent Dirac brackets, using the Parisi-Sourlas mechaism. As an application the possibility of string theories in subcritical dimensions is considered.     

Some solutions of the equations of motion of the relativistic string with massive ends

The classical theory is discussed for the relativistic string with point masses at its ends. The dynamical equations are solved for the class of motions of this system when the time evolution parameter τ is the proper time of both massive string ends. In this case the solution of the boundary equations is given by the almost periodic functions. Constraints on the normal modes resulting from the orthonormal gauge conditions differ essentially from the Virasoro ones. Incidentally one obtains an exact solution for the half-infinite string with mass at one end. It is also proved that the exact solution for the string with massive ends cannot be a periodic function.     

Folded world sheets and the orientable string

Classical solutions for the open relativistic string with a single junction are examined and a new class of kinked solutions presented. An interpretation of the phenomena of reverse parametrisation on one arm is offered in terms of oriented chains and the consequence that this has for folded world sheets is discussed. A physical interpretation for certain junction sites is presented through interaction of the string with an external field.     

Aspects of stability and phenomenology in type IIA orientifolds with intersecting D6‐branes

Intersecting branes have been the subject of an elaborate string model building for several years. After a general introduction into string theory, this work introduces in detail the toroidal and $\mathbb{Z}_N$‐orientifolds. The picture involving D9‐branes with B‐fluxes is shortly reviewed, but the main discussion employs the T‐dual picture of intersecting D6‐branes. The derivation of the R‐R and NS‐NS tadpole cancellation conditions in the conformal field theory is shown in great detail. Various aspects of the open and closed chiral and non‐chiral massless spectrum are discussed, involving spacetime anomalies and the generalized Green‐Schwarz mechanism. An introduction into possible gauge breaking mechanisms is given, too. Afterwards, both 𝒩 = 1 supersymmetric and non‐supersymmetric approaches to low energy model building are treated. Firstly, the problem of complex structure instabilities in toroidal ΩR‐orientifolds is approached by a $\mathbb{Z}_3$‐orbifolded model. In particular, a stable non‐supersymmetric standard‐like model with three fermion generations is discussed. This model features the standard model gauge groups at the same time as having a massless hypercharge, but possessing an additional global B‐L symmetry. The electroweak Higgs mechanism and the Yukawa couplings are not realized in the usual way. It is shown that this model descends naturally from a flipped SU(5) GUT model, where the string scale has to be at least of the order of the GUT scale. Secondly, supersymmetric models on the $\mathbb{Z}_4$‐orbifold are discussed, involving exceptional 3‐cycles and the explicit construction of fractional D‐branes. A three generation Pati‐Salam model is constructed as a particular example, where several brane recombination mechanisms are used, yielding non‐flat and non‐factorizable branes. This model even can be broken down to a MSSM‐like model with a massless hypercharge. Finally, the possibility that unstable closed and open string moduli could have played the role of the inflaton in the evolution of the universe is being explored. In the closed string sector, the important slow‐rolling requirement can only be fulfilled for very specific cases, where some moduli are frozen and a special choice of coordinates is taken. In the open string sector, inflation does not seem to be possible at all.     

Stationary rotating string world models with a magnetic field

Following the techniques used by Letelier and Stachel some new physically relevant stationary solutions of string cosmology with magnetic field are presented. In these solutions, the flow vector of matter has non-zero rotation and the cosmological constant is taken to be non-zero. Previously known solutions are derived as particular cases from our class of solutions. Some string models with vanishing cosmological constant are also discussed.     

Dynamical models of hadrons based on the string model and the behavior of strongly interacting matter at high density

We propose dynamical models of hadrons, the nucleation model and the free-decay model, in which results of the string model are used to represent interactions. The string model is examined by comparing its predictions with experimental data and parameters are fitted. The equilibrium properties of hadrons at high density are investigated in terms of the nucleation model; we find a singular behavior at energy density 3–5 GeV/fm³, where hadrons coalesce and create highly excited states. We argue that this singular behavior corresponds to the phase transition to quark-gluon plasma. The possibility of observing the production of high-density strongly interacting matter in collider experiments is discussed using the free-decay model, which produces pion distributions as decay products of resonances. We show that our free-decay model recovers features of hadron distributions obtained in hadron collison experiments. Finally, perspectives and extensions of the models are discussed.     

The dynamics of a twistable relativistic string

Following a suggestion of Kraemmer and Nielsen the possibility that the dual fermion model may be obtained by quantising a classical theory of a twistable string is discussed. Quantisation conditions are obtained which, for one value of a dimensionless constant ?/β, are represented by this dual model, but in consequence the classical limit cannot be taken without departing from the model. The appropriate representation of the algebra of Virasoro gauge conditions is obtained but the additional fermion gauge conditions would seem to be a quantum phenomenon in this picture.     

Search for quantum spacetime foam

The possibility that quantum fluctuations in the structure of spacetime at the Planck scale might be subject to experimental probes in discussed. The effects of spacetime foam in an approach inspired by string theory, in which solitonic D-brane excitations are taken into account when considering the ground state, are studied. The properties of this medium are described by analyzing the recoil of a D particle which is induced by the scattering of a closed-string state. This recoil causes an energy-dependent perturbation of the background metric, which in turn induces an energy-dependent refractive index in vacuo, and stochastic fluctuations of the light cone. Distant astrophysical sources such as Gamma-Ray Bursters (GRBs) may be used to test this possibility, and an illustrative analysis of GRBs whose redshifts have been measured is presented. The propagation of massive particles through such a quantum spacetime foam is also discussed.     

A class of cylindrically-symmetric models in string cosmology

A new class of physically relevant explicit solutions for string cosmological models endowed with cylindrical symmetry on the background of singularity-free cosmological space times has been obtained and their physical and kinematical features are discussed. The matter-free limits of this class of solutions are observed to be the singularity-free vacuum solutions of Patel and Dadhich.     

Structural-scale transitions in solids with defects and symmetry aspects of field theory

Relaxation and failure mechanisms in solids with mesoscopic defects are considered in the context of a specific class of critical phenomena—structural-scaling transitions. The association of collective modes in mesodefect ensembles with gauge invariance in string theory is discussed. Statistical and thermodynamic properties of deformed solids are studied in relation to dynamics of collective modes of defects.     

On Inflation and de Sitter in Non‐Geometric String Backgrounds

We study the problem of obtaining de Sitter and inflationary vacua from dimensional reduction of double field theory (DFT) on nongeometric string backgrounds. In this context, we consider a new class of effective potentials that admit Minkowski and de Sitter minima. We then construct a simple model of chaotic inflation arising from T‐fold backgrounds and we discuss the possibility of trans‐Planckian field range from nongeometric monodromies as well as the conditions required to get slow roll.     

Pathological lattice field theory for interacting strings

A path integral expression for closed Nambu-Goto strings interacting by breaking and joining is shown to be pathological by using an equivalent euclidean lattice field theory. A class of interactions which correct this problem is discussed. Dyson-Schwinger equations are derived for string vacuum expectation values.     

Five Dimensional Bulk Viscous String Cosmological Models in Saez and Ballester Theory of Gravitation

LRS Bianchi type-I bulk viscous string cosmological models are obtained in scalar tensor theory of gravitation proposed by Saez and Ballester (Phys. Lett. A 113:467, 1986). It is shown that cosmic string does not survive for ρ+λ=0 whereas it survives for the equations of state ρ=(1+ω)λ (Takabayasi string) and ρ=λ (Geometric string). Some physical and geometrical properties of the exhibited model are discussed.     

Dynamics of Anisotropic Bianchi Type-III Bulk Viscous String Model with Magnetic Field

In this paper, we discuss the dynamics of spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type-III string cosmological model in presence of bulk viscous fluid and electromagnetic field. Exact solutions of Einstein’s field equations are obtained by assuming (i) a special form of the deceleration parameter and (ii) the component \(\sigma^{1}_{1}\) of the shear scalar tensor is proportional to mean Hubble parameter. The source of magnetic field is due to an electric current produced along z-axis. The role of bulk viscosity and magnetic field in establishing string phase of universe is presented. The physical and kinematical features of solutions are also discussed in detail.     

A class of stationary rotating string cosmological models

We obtain a one parameter class of stationary rotating string cosmological models of which the well-known Gödel universe is a particular case. By suitably choosing the free parameter function, it is always possible to satisfy the energy conditions. The rotation of the model hinges on the cosmological constant which turns out to be negative. String-dust distribution in Gödel-type universes is also briefly discussed.     

Four-dimensional heterotic strings-orbifolds and covariant lattices

Two - so far unrelated - constructions of four-dimensional heterotic string theories are discussed within a common framework. We show that four-dimensional heterotic string theories which are based on covariant self-dual lattices are equivalent to a wide class of asymmetric orbifolds. This equivalence provides an explicit realization of twist fields and allows the straight-forward calculation of scattering amplitudes of various massless fields. “Topological” properties of the orbifolds, like the number of fixed points, are related to group theoretical features of the covariant lattices. Two explicit examples illustrate our conclusions.