951 research outputs found
Boundary and Midpoint Behaviors of Lump Solutions in Vacuum String Field Theory
We discuss various issues concerning the behaviors near the boundary
(\sigma=0,\pi) and the midpoint (\sigma=\pi/2) of the open string coordinate
X(\sigma) and its conjugate momentum P(\sigma)=-i\delta/\delta X(\sigma) acting
on the matter projectors of vacuum string field theory. Our original interest
is in the dynamical change of the boundary conditions of the open string
coordinate from the Neumann one in the translationally invariant backgrounds to
the Dirichlet one in the D-brane backgrounds. We find that the Dirichlet
boundary condition is realized on a lump solution only partially and only when
its parameter takes a special value. On the other hand, the string midpoint has
a mysterious property: it obeys the Neumann (Dirichlet) condition in the
translationally invariant (lump) background.Comment: 23 pages, no figures, LaTeX2e, a reference adde
Star Algebra Spectroscopy
The spectrum of the infinite dimensional Neumann matrices M^{11}, M^{12} and
M^{21} in the oscillator construction of the three-string vertex determines key
properties of the star product and of wedge and sliver states. We study the
spectrum of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of these matrices using the derivation
K_1 = L_1 + L_{-1} of the star algebra, which defines a simple infinite matrix
commuting with the Neumann matrices. By an exact calculation of the spectrum of
K_1, and by consideration of an operator generating wedge states, we are able
to find analytic expressions for the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the
Neumann matrices and for the spectral density. The spectrum of M^{11} is
continuous in the range [-1/3, 0) with degenerate twist even and twist odd
eigenvectors for every eigenvalue except for -1/3.Comment: LaTeX, 30 pages, 2 figure
Solving Open String Field Theory with Special Projectors
Schnabl recently found an analytic expression for the string field tachyon
condensate using a gauge condition adapted to the conformal frame of the sliver
projector. We propose that this construction is more general. The sliver is an
example of a special projector, a projector such that the Virasoro operator
\L_0 and its BPZ adjoint \L*_0 obey the algebra [\L_0, \L*_0] = s (\L_0 +
\L*_0), with s a positive real constant. All special projectors provide abelian
subalgebras of string fields, closed under both the *-product and the action of
\L_0. This structure guarantees exact solvability of a ghost number zero string
field equation. We recast this infinite recursive set of equations as an
ordinary differential equation that is easily solved. The classification of
special projectors is reduced to a version of the Riemann-Hilbert problem, with
piecewise constant data on the boundary of a disk.Comment: 64 pages, 6 figure
The Spectrum of the Neumann Matrix with Zero Modes
We calculate the spectrum of the matrix M' of Neumann coefficients of the
Witten vertex, expressed in the oscillator basis including the zero-mode a_0.
We find that in addition to the known continuous spectrum inside [-1/3,0) of
the matrix M without the zero-modes, there is also an additional eigenvalue
inside (0,1). For every eigenvalue, there is a pair of eigenvectors, a
twist-even and a twist-odd. We give analytically these eigenvectors as well as
the generating function for their components. Also, we have found an
interesting critical parameter b_0 = 8 ln 2 on which the forms of the
eigenvectors depend.Comment: 25+1 pages, 3 Figures; typos corrected and some comments adde
Ghost Kinetic Operator of Vacuum String Field Theory
Using the data of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of Neumann matrices in the
3-string vertex, we prove analytically that the ghost kinetic operator of
vacuum string field theory obtained by Hata and Kawano is equal to the ghost
operator inserted at the open string midpoint. We also comment on the values of
determinants appearing in the norm of sliver state.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure, lanlmac; v2: typos correcte
B field and squeezed states in Vacuum String Field Theory
We show that squeezed state solutions for solitonic lumps in Vacuum String
Field Theory still exist in the presence of a constant B field. We show in
particular that, just as in the B=0 case, we can write down a compact explicit
form for such solutions.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, typos corrected, final versio
Comments on Schnabl's analytic solution for tachyon condensation in Witten's open string field theory
Schnabl recently constructed an analytic solution for tachyon condensation in
Witten's open string field theory. The solution consists of two pieces. Only
the first piece is involved in proving that the solution satisfies the equation
of motion when contracted with any state in the Fock space. On the other hand,
both pieces contribute in evaluating the kinetic term to reproduce the value
predicted by Sen's conjecture. We therefore need to understand why the second
piece is necessary. We evaluate the cubic term of the string field theory
action for Schnabl's solution and use it to show that the second piece is
necessary for the equation of motion contracted with the solution itself to be
satisfied. We also present the solution in various forms including a pure-gauge
configuration and provide simpler proofs that it satisfies the equation of
motion.Comment: 33 pages, 4 figures, LaTeX2e; v2: minor changes, version published in
JHE
Siegel Gauge in Vacuum String Field Theory
We study the star algebra of ghost sector in vacuum string field theory
(VSFT). We show that the star product of two states in the Siegel gauge is BRST
exact if we take the BRST charge to be the one found in hep-th/0108150, and the
BRST exact states are nil factors in the star algebra. By introducing a new
star product defined on the states in the Siegel gauge, the equation of motion
of VSFT is characterized as the projection condition with respect to this new
product. We also comment on the comma form of string vertex in the ghost
sector.Comment: 13 pages, lanlmac; v3: comment adde
D-branes as GMS Solitons in Vacuum String Field Theory
In this paper we map the D-brane projector states in the vacuum string field
theory to the noncommutative GMS solitons based on the recently proposed map of
Witten's star to Moyal's star. We find that the singular geometry conditions of
Moore and Taylor are associated with the commutative modes of these projector
states in our framework. The properties of the candidate closed string state
and the wedge state are also discussed, and the possibility of the non-GMS
soliton in VSFT is commented.Comment: 19 pages, LaTex; revised version, typos corrected; third version, a
new subsection about the midpoint singulariy regularization added;fourth
edition, arguments improve
Ratio of Tensions from Vacuum String Field Theory
We show analytically that the ratio of the norm of sliver states agrees with
the ratio of D-brane tensions. We find that the correct ratio appears as a
twist anomaly.Comment: 13 pages, lanlmac; version to appear in JHE
- …