450 research outputs found
A note on spherically symmetric naked singularities in general dimension
We discuss generalizations of the recent theorem by Dafermos (hep-th/0403033)
forbidding a certain class of naked singularities in the spherical collapse of
a scalar field. Employing techniques similar to the ones Dafermos used, we
consider extending the theorem (1) to higher dimensions, (2) by including more
general matter represented by a stress-energy tensor satisfying certain
assumptions, and (3) by replacing the spherical geometry by a toroidal or
higher genus (locally hyperbolic) one. We show that the extension to higher
dimensions and a more general topology is straightforward; on the other hand,
replacing the scalar field by a more general matter content forces us to shrink
the class of naked singularities we are able to exclude. We then show that the
most common matter theories (scalar field interacting with a non-abelian gauge
field and a perfect fluid satisfying certain conditions) obey the assumptions
of our weaker theorem, and we end by commenting on the applicability of our
results to the five-dimensional AdS scenarii considered recently in the
literature.Comment: 16 pages, no figures, typos fixe
M Theory As A Matrix Model: A Conjecture
We suggest and motivate a precise equivalence between uncompactified eleven
dimensional M-theory and the N = infinity limit of the supersymmetric matrix
quantum mechanics describing D0-branes. The evidence for the conjecture
consists of several correspondences between the two theories. As a consequence
of supersymmetry the simple matrix model is rich enough to describe the
properties of the entire Fock space of massless well separated particles of the
supergravity theory. In one particular kinematic situation the leading large
distance interaction of these particles is exactly described by supergravity .
The model appears to be a nonperturbative realization of the holographic
principle. The membrane states required by M-theory are contained as
excitations of the matrix model. The membrane world volume is a noncommutative
geometry embedded in a noncommutative spacetime.Comment: Typo and tex error corrected. 41 pages, harvma
D-instanton partition functions
Duality arguments are used to determine D-instanton contributions to certain
effective interaction terms of type II supergravity theories in various
dimensions. This leads to exact expressions for the partition functions of the
finite N D-instanton matrix model in d=4 and 6 dimensions that generalize our
previous expression for the case d=10. These results are consistent with the
fact that the Witten index of the T-dual D-particle process should only be
non-vanishing for d=10.Comment: 20 pages, harvmac, typos corrected, reference adde
Combinatorics of Boundaries in String Theory
We investigate the possibility that stringy nonperturbative effects appear as
holes in the world-sheet. We focus on the case of Dirichlet string theory,
which we argue should be formulated differently than in previous work, and we
find that the effects of boundaries are naturally weighted by .Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, LaTe
D-Branes and Fluxes in Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics
Type 0A string theory in the (2,4k) superconformal minimal model backgrounds,
with background ZZ D-branes or R-R fluxes can be formulated non-perturbatively.
The branes and fluxes have a description as threshold bound states in an
associated one-dimensional quantum mechanics which has a supersymmetric
structure, familiar from studies of the generalized KdV system. The relevant
bound state wavefunctions in this problem have unusual asymptotics (they are
not normalizable in general, and break supersymmetry) which are consistent with
the underlying description in terms of open and closed string sectors. The
overall organization of the physics is very pleasing: The physics of the closed
strings in the background of branes or fluxes is captured by the generalized
KdV system and non-perturbative string equations obtained by reduction of that
system (the hierarchy of equations found by Dalley, Johnson, Morris and
Watterstam). Meanwhile, the bound states wavefunctions, which describe the
physics of the ZZ D-brane (or flux) background in interaction with probe FZZT
D-branes, are captured by the generalized mKdV system, and non-perturbative
string equations obtained by reduction of that system (the Painleve II hierachy
found by Periwal and Shevitz in this context).Comment: 41 pages, LaTe
On non-perturbative corrections to the Kahler potential
We present the results of a detailed investigation into the consequences of
adding specific string motivated non-perturbative corrections to the usual tree
level Kahler potential in dilaton dominated scenarios. The success of the model
is judged through our ability to obtain a realistic VEV for the dilaton < Re S
> ~ 2, corresponding to the true minima of the scalar potential and being
associated with a reasonable value for the SUSY breaking scale via the
gravitino mass. The status of the so-called moduli problem is also reviewed in
each of the ansatze studied. Those include previous proposals made in the
context of both the chiral and the linear multiplet formalisms to describe
gaugino condensation, and a new ansatz which shows explicitly the equivalence
between the two.Comment: 11 pages, LaTex, uses psfig.sty with 4 figure
Nonperturbative effects and nonperturbative definitions in matrix models and topological strings
We develop techniques to compute multi-instanton corrections to the 1/N
expansion in matrix models described by orthogonal polynomials. These
techniques are based on finding trans-series solutions, i.e. formal solutions
with exponentially small corrections, to the recursion relations characterizing
the free energy. We illustrate this method in the Hermitian, quartic matrix
model, and we provide a detailed description of the instanton corrections in
the Gross-Witten-Wadia (GWW) unitary matrix model. Moreover, we use Borel
resummation techniques and results from the theory of resurgent functions to
relate the formal multi-instanton series to the nonperturbative definition of
the matrix model. We study this relation in the case of the GWW model and its
double-scaling limit, providing in this way a nice illustration of various
mechanisms connecting the resummation of perturbative series to nonperturbative
results, like the cancellation of nonperturbative ambiguities. Finally, we
argue that trans-series solutions are also relevant in the context of
topological string theory. In particular, we point out that in topological
string models with both a matrix model and a large N gauge theory description,
the nonperturbative, holographic definition involves a sum over the
multi-instanton sectors of the matrix modelComment: 50 pages, 12 figures, comments and references added, small
correction
Phase transition in a 2-dimensional Heisenberg model
We investigate the two-dimensional classical Heisenberg model with a
nonlinear nearest-neighbor interaction
V(s,s')=2K[(1+s.s')/2 ]^p.
The analogous nonlinear interaction for the XY model was introduced by
Domany, Schick, and Swendsen, who find that for large p the Kosterlitz-Thouless
transition is preempted by a first-order transition. Here we show that, whereas
the standard (p=1) Heisenberg model has no phase transition, for large enough p
a first-order transition appears. Both phases have only short range order, but
with a correlation length that jumps at the transition.Comment: 6 pages, 5 encapsulated postscript figures; to appear in Physical
Review Letter
Dirichlet-Branes and Ramond-Ramond Charges
We show that Dirichlet-branes, extended objects defined by mixed
Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions in string theory, break half of the
supersymmetries of the type~II superstring and carry a complete set of electric
and magnetic Ramond-Ramond charges. We also find that the product of the
electric and magnetic charges is a single Dirac unit, and that the quantum of
charge takes the value required by string duality. This is strong evidence that
the Dirchlet-branes are intrinsic to type II string theory and are the
Ramond-Ramond sources required by string duality. We also note the existence of
a previously overlooked 9-form potential in the IIa string, which gives rise to
an effective cosmological constant of undetermined magnitude.Comment: LaTeX, 10 pages. Minor typos corrected in eq. 8, 9, 13. References
added to [11
M-branes and N=2 Strings
The string field theory of N=(2,1) heterotic strings describes a set of
self-dual Yang-Mills fields coupled to self-dual gravity in 2+2 dimensions. We
show that the exact classical action for this field theory is a certain
complexification of the Green-Schwarz/Dirac-Born-Infeld string action, closely
related to the four dimensional Wess-Zumino action describing self-dual gauge
fields. This action describes the world-volume of a 2+2d ``M-brane'', which
gives rise upon different null reductions to critical strings and membranes. We
discuss a number of further properties of N=2 heterotic strings, such as the
geometry of null reduction, general features of a covariant formulation, and
possible relations to BPS and GKM algebras.Comment: 49 pages, harvmac; 1 figure (uses epsf.tex). References adde
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