Moving branes in the presence of background tachyon fields

We compute the boundary state associated with a moving Dp-brane in the presence of the open string tachyon field as a background field. The effect of the tachyon condensation on the boundary state is discussed. It leads to a boundary state associated with a lower-dimensional moving D-brane or a stationary instantonic D-brane. The former originates from condensation along the spatial directions and the latter comes from the temporal direction of the D-brane worldvolume. Using the boundary state, we also study the interaction amplitude between two arbitrary Dp ₁- and Dp ₂-branes. The long-range behavior of the amplitude is investigated, demonstrating an obvious deviation from the conventional form, due to the presence of the background tachyon field.     

One-loop correction of the tachyon action in boundary superstring field theory

We compute one-loop correction to the string field theory action of the tachyon for unstable D-branes in the framework of the boundary superstring field theory. We would expect that the one-loop correction comes from the partition function of the two-dimensional worldsheet theory on the annulus. The annulus correction suggests that the genus expansion is, somehow, governed by the effective string coupling defined in terms of the tachyon λ=g_sexp(−T²/4).     

On tachyon condensation of intersecting noncommutative branes in M(atrix) theory

The interaction between the intersecting noncommutative D-branes (or membranes) is investigated within the M(atrix) theory. We first evaluate the spectrum of the off-diagonal fluctuation and see that there is a tachyon mode, which signals the instability of the intersecting branes. We next explain in detail how the tachyon modes (which are the off-diagonal fluctuations) can be combined with the original branes (which are the diagonal elements) to become a new diagonal matrix, which then represents the new recombined configurations after the tachyon condensation. The tachyon condensation configurations of the noncommutative branes we find are different from those of the commutative cases studied in the previous literatures.     

Extended string field theory for massless higher-spin fields

We propose a new gauge field theory which is an extension of ordinary string field theory by assembling multiple state spaces of the bosonic string. The theory includes higher-spin fields in its massless spectrum together with the infinite tower of massive fields. From the theory, we can easily extract the minimal gauge-invariant quadratic action for tensor fields with any symmetry. As examples, we explicitly derive the gauge-invariant actions for some simple mixed symmetric tensor fields. We also construct covariantly gauge-fixed action by extending the method developed for string field theory.     

Null surface quantization and quantum theory of massless fields in asymptotically flat space-time

The quantum theory of massless fields in an asymptotically simple space-time is developed. The Schwinger dynamical principle and the Penrose conformal technique are exploited to derive the commutation relations on proper null surfaces in a curved space-time and on null infinities. The explicit expression for theS matrix in an asymptotically simple space-time is presented. The general expression for a density matrix describing particles created in an external field is also given and its possible applications are discussed briefly.     

Exotic branes in string theory

Besides the familiar D-branes, string theory contains a vast number of other non-perturbative objects. While a complete classification is lacking, many of these objects are related to each other through various dualities. Codimension two objects play a special role, because their charges are no longer additive but are instead expressed in terms of holonomies of scalar fields, which is given by an element of the relevant duality group. In this paper we present a detailed exposition of these “exotic” objects, the charges they carry, and their connection to non-geometric compactifications. Despite the name “exotic branes”, these objects are in fact ubiquitous in string theory, as they can automatically appear when describing bound states of conventional branes, and as such may be of particular importance in describing the microscopic degrees of freedom of black holes.     

Gravitational and electromagnetic fields of a charged tachyon

An axially symmetric exact solution of the Einstein-Maxwell equations is obtained and is interpreted to give the gravitational and electromagnetic fields of a charged tachyon. Switching off the charge parameter yields the solution for the uncharged tachyon which was earlier obtained by Vaidya. The null surfaces for the charged tachyon are discussed.     

Five-dimensional cosmological models with massless scalar fields

Simple cosmologies are constructed from solutions of the five-dimensional Einstein equations with a real massless non-self-interacting scalar field source. It is demonstrated that non-trivial cosmological models occur only if the metric of the homogeneous and isotropic three-space of the universe has non-positive constant curvature. For the case of flat three-space, it is further demonstrated that two classes of solutions result - one of which has a power-law type of expansion for three-space and contraction of the one-dimensional internal space, while the other class has an exponential expansion for three-space and exponential contraction of the internal space. The exponentially expanding solutions are the limiting case of the power-law expanding solutions. Hence, our model is consistent with a simple inflationary scenario.     

Renormalization of massless fields with hard-soft infrared decomposition

The decomposition of Feynman integrals with massless propagators into hard and soft contributions is systematically effected in renormalized field theory. It is shown that the decomposition leads to an elegant method of renormalizing massless field theories. Ultraviolet and infrared finite composite fields (normal products) are defined and renormalized field equations are derived. Exploiting a gauge principle, scalar ghosts arising in the hard-soft decomposition are eliminated and a renormalization group equation is derived to describe the effects of changes in the mass scale.     

Hyperelliptic statsums in superstring theory

An expression is proposed for the holomorphic measure on the module space of hyperelliptic Riemann surfaces that possesses modular properties required for the statistical sum of superstrings.     

Einstein-maxwell null fields and extended massless particles with helicity

The concept of extended elementary particles proposed by the author in previous papers is briefly outlined in a slightly modified form. In this framework special Einstein-Maxwell null fields are interpreted as extended massless particles with helicity. A model of extended photons is proposed.     

Attempt to superstring theory with arbitrary dimension

The path integral approach of the fermionic string withN=1, 2, 4, 8 local supersymmetry is considered. By introduction of ghost number current in the path integral, we make an attempt to shift their critical dimensions arbitrarily.     

Localization of scalar fields on self-gravitating thick branes

The model of a domain wall (“thick” brane) in noncompact five-dimensional spacetime is considered with geometries of AdS ₅ type generated by self-interacting scalar matter. The scalar matter is composed of two fields with O(2) symmetric self interaction. One of them is mixed with gravity scalar modes and plays role of the brane formation mode (due to a kink background) and another one is of a Higgs-field type. The interplay between soft breaking of O(2) symmetry and gravity influence is thoroughly investigated around the critical point of spontaneous t symmetry breaking when the v.e.v. of the Higgs-type scalar field occurs. The possibility of (quasi)localization of scalar modes on such thick branes is examined.