A fresh look at midpoint singularities in the algebra of string fields

In this paper we study the midpoint structure of the algebra of open strings from the standpoint of the operator/Moyal formalism. We construct a split string description for the continuous Moyal product of hep-th/0202087, study the breakdown of associativity in the star algebra, and identify in infinite sequence of new (anti)commutative coordinates for the star product in in the complex plane. We also explain how poles in the open string non(anti)commutativity parameter correspond to certain ``null'' operators which annihilate the vertex, implying that states proportional to such operators tend to have vanishing star product with other string fields. The existence of such poles, we argue, presents an obstruction to realizing a well-defined formulation of the theory in terms of a Moyal product. We also comment on the interesting, but singular, representation $L_0$ which has appeared prominently in the recent studies of Bars {\it et al}.Comment: 40 pages, 5 figures. Version to be submitted to JHEP. Some interesting and previouusly unpublished results are included here. These include both an interpretation of poles in the open string noncommutativity parameter as corresponding to null operators in the algebra, and an identification of an infinite sequence of new commutative and null coordinates in the complex $\kappa$ plan

Level Truncation and Rolling the Tachyon in the Lightcone Basis for Open String Field Theory

A recent paper by Gross and Erler (hep-th/0406199) showed that by making a certain well-defined, unitary transformation on the mode basis for the open bosonic string--one that identifies the lightcone component of position with the string midpoint--it is possible to render the action for cubic string field theory local in lightcone time. In this basis, then, cubic string field theory possesses a well-defined initial value formulation and a conserved Hamiltonian. With this new understanding it seems natural to study time dependent solutions representing the the decay of an unstable D-branes. In this paper we study such solutions using level truncation of mode oscillators in the lightcone basis, finding both homogenous solutions by perturbatively expanding the string field in modes $e^{nt}$, and inhomogenous solutions by integrating the equations of motion on a lattice. Truncating the theory to level $(\tilde{2},\tilde{4})$ in $\alpha^+$ oscillators, we find time dependent solutions whose behavior seems to converge to that of earlier solutions constructed in the center of mass basis, where the cubic action contains an infinite number of time derivatives. We further construct time-dependent inhomogeneous solutions including all fields up to level $(\tilde{2},\tilde{4})$. These solutions at the outset display rather erratic behavior due to an unphysical instability introduced by truncating the theory at the linear level. However upon truncating away the field responsible for the instability, we find more reasonable solutions which may possibly represent an approximation to tachyon matter. We conclude with some discussion of future directions.Comment: 29 pages, 21 figure

The Probability Density of the Higgs Boson Mass

The LEP Collaborations have reported a small excess of events in their combined Higgs boson analysis at center of mass energies up to about 208 GeV. In this communication, I present the result of a calculation of the probability distribution function of the Higgs boson mass which can be rigorously obtained if the validity of the Standard Model is assumed. It arises from the combination of the most recent set of precision electroweak data and the current results of the Higgs searches at LEP 2.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Upper Bound on the Hadronic Light-by-Light Contribution to the Muon g-2

There are indications that hadronic loops in some electroweak observables are almost saturated by parton level effects. Taking this as the hypothesis for this work, we propose a genuine parton level estimate of the hadronic light-by-light contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, a_mu (LBL,had). Our quark mass definitions and values are motivated in detail, and the simplicity of our approach allows for a transparent error estimate. For infinitely heavy quarks our treatment is exact, while for asymptotically small quark masses a_mu (LBL,had) is overestimated. Interpolating, this suggests quoting an upper bound. We obtain a_mu (LBL,had) < 1.59 10^-9 (95% CL).Comment: 4 pages; 2 references added, some changes in text; final versio

Misfits in Skyrme-Hartree-Fock

We address very briefly five critical points in the context of the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock (SHF) scheme: 1) the impossibility to consider it as an interaction, 2) a possible inconsistency of correlation corrections as, e.g., the center-of-mass correction, 3) problems to describe the giant dipole resonance (GDR) simultaneously in light and heavy nuclei, 4) deficiencies in the extrapolation of binding energies to super-heavy elements (SHE), and 5) a yet inappropriate trend in fission life-times when going to the heaviest SHE. While the first two points have more a formal bias, the other three points have practical implications and wait for solution.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure