On homotopy algebras and quantum string field theory

We revisit the existence, background independence and uniqueness of closed, open and open-closed bosonic- and topological string field theory, using the machinery of homotopy algebra. In a theory of classical open- and closed strings, the space of inequivalent open string field theories is isomorphic to the space of classical closed string backgrounds. We then discuss obstructions of these moduli spaces at the quantum level. For the quantum theory of closed strings, uniqueness on a given background follows from the decomposition theorem for loop homotopy algebras. We also address the question of background independence of closed string field theory.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, published versio

Quantum Open-Closed Homotopy Algebra and String Field Theory

We reformulate the algebraic structure of Zwiebach's quantum open-closed string field theory in terms of homotopy algebras. We call it the quantum open-closed homotopy algebra (QOCHA) which is the generalization of the open-closed homotopy algebra (OCHA) of Kajiura and Stasheff. The homotopy formulation reveals new insights about deformations of open string field theory by closed string backgrounds. In particular, deformations by Maurer Cartan elements of the quantum closed homotopy algebra define consistent quantum open string field theories.Comment: 36 pages, fixed typos and small clarifications adde