Supersymmetrical dual string theory

It is proved that the physical states of the open-string sector of the ten-dimensional string theory form supersymmetry multiplets. The proof is achieved by first constructing a new formulation of the spectrum generating algebra, and then forming the supersymmetry operator (as well as associated operators) and demonstrating that it transforms as a spinor under Lorentz transformations and has the correct anticommutation relations. The results can be interpreted either in terms of a covariant formulation or in terms of a light-cone gauge formulation. In the former case certain formulas are not completely proved, although they are in the latter. When interpreted in four dimensions (by dimensional reduction) the string theory provides an interacting theory of an infinite number of massive representations of N = 4 supersymmetry involving particles of arbitrarily high spin.     

Conformal field theory and the symmetries of string field theory

The two-dimensional conformal field theory representation of Witten's bosonic string field theory is discussed. The basic overlap equations, K_n symmetry and BRST invariance are proved directly, without the usual expansion in oscillators. The conformal field theory approach naturally provides local overlap identities which (when integrated over half the string) can be used to verify properties of the cubic action. In particular, a recently proposed diffeomorphism invariance is shown to be free of anomalies. Finally, a new class of symmetries, including generalizations of the K_n symmetries which are local in spacetime, are presented.     

Quenched string field theory

We construct a toy model of Witten's open string field theory by truncating the Virasoro group to its SU(1,1) subgroup. The string field is given in terms of finite-dimensional matrices, which satisfy a non-trivial BRST cohomology. The string gauge group is found to be SO(3). Finally, we perform the gauge fixing of the action, finding an explicit formula for calculating the partition function.     

Reparametrisation -invariant string field theory

A differential-geometric approach to the closed Bose-string field theory is developed in a framework where the Lorentz and reparametrisation invariances are manifest. The Virasoro anomaly in the quantum theory is cancelled by the minimal introduction of the conformal mode, extending the usual string functionals defined on the space of embeddings. An action is written down, and this approach to strings is compared with the second-quantised formalism for the single particle.     

Pre-geometrical field theory of the open string

We propose a gauge invariant, background independent string action, which contains open and closed string fields and no kinetic terms. The kinetic term is generated through the condensation of the string fields, which is the solution of the equations of motion. we solve the equations and show that the action is classically equivalent to the open string action proposed by Hata et al.     

Hamiltonian formulation of string field theory

Witten's string field theory is quantized in the hamiltonian formalism. The constraints are solved and the hamiltonian is expressed in terms of only physical degrees of freedom. Thus, no Faddeev-Popov ghosts are introduced. Instead, the action contains terms of arbitrarily high order in the string functionals. Agreement with the standard results is demonstrated by an explicit calculation of the residues of the first few poles of the four-tachyon tree amplitude.     

Closed string-open string transitions and Witten's string field theory

Using conformal mapping techniques, we obtain a new BRST invariant operator ϒ encoding in closed form transition amplitudes between open strings and closed strings. The residues of the closed string poles in the non-planar one-loop two-point diagram of Witten's string field theory are finite sums of products of these amplitudes.     

About the uniqueness of covariant string field theory

Symmetry laws are in general not sufficient to specify a correct second-quantized covariant string action. It is shown that an additional requirement is necessary in order to get the correct physical spectrum. From this the existence of a unique “minimal” action is discussed to which any formulation should reduce after integration over Lagrange multipliers.     

Conformal geometry and string field theory

The covariant perturbation theory rules that should arise from any gauge invariant string field theory, such as those proposed on the basis of BRST formalism, are set forth. The resulting path integral expressions naturally produce coordinate invariant densities on the moduli space of Riemann surfaces; these include the Koba-Nielsen amplitudes. The connection between string field theory and modular invariance is discussed, and it is proposed that future explorations in string field theory focus on coordinate invariant quantities on moduli space.     

Introduction to string theory and conformal field theory

A concise survey of noncritical string theory and two-dimensional conformal field theory is presented. A detailed derivation of a conformal anomaly and the definition and general properties of conformal field theory are given. Minimal string theory, which is a special version of the theory, is considered. Expressions for the string susceptibility and gravitational dimensions are derived.     

BRST-symmetries in free string field theory

A unitary field transformation useful for examination of the BRST-symmetries in free bosonic open-string field theory is introduced. It is similar to Siegel and Zwiebach's transformation, but leads to a hermitian BRST-charge in contrast to theirs. The transformed BRST-transformation factorizes into two parts, making the gauge-unfixing procedure rather trivial. Both the minimal-type gauge-invariant action and Witten's action are dealt with.     

Non-commutative geometry and string field theory

An attempt is made to interpret the interactions of bosonic open strings as defining a non-cummulative, associative algebra, and to formulate the classical non-linear field theory of such strings in the language of non-commulative geometry. The point of departure is the BRST approach to string field theory. A setting is given in which there is a unique gauge invariant action, whose linearized approximation reproduces the conventional Veneziano spectrum. A derivation of conventional Veneziano model amplitudes from this gauge invariant action is sketched. Some brief comments are made about attempts to extend these results to open superstrings and to closed strings.     

Gauge-fixing in covariant string field theory

We discuss the gauge-fixing procedure of the covariant formulation of the open bosonic string recently proposed by Neveu, Nicolai and West (the so-called finite set). We show that this theory has new symmetries. However, it does not seem possible to recover the correct number of physical degrees of freedom.