Interactions for Winding Strings in Misner Space

We compute correlation functions of closed strings in Misner space, a big crunch big bang universe. We develop a general method for correlators with twist fields, which are relevant for the investigation on the condensation of winding tachyon. We propose to compute the correlation functions by performing an analytic continuation of the results in C/Z_N Euclidean orbifold. In particular, we obtain a finite result for a general four point function of twist fields, which might be important for the interpretation as the quartic term of the tachyon potential. Three point functions are read off through the factorization, which are consistent with the known results.Comment: 29 pages, no figure; typos corrected, references adde

String spectra near some null cosmological singularities

We construct cosmological spacetimes with null Kasner-like singularities as purely gravitational solutions with no other background fields turned on. These can be recast as anisotropic plane-wave spacetimes by coordinate transformations. We analyse string quantization to find the spectrum of string modes in these backgrounds. The classical string modes can be solved for exactly in these time-dependent backgrounds, which enables a detailed study of the near singularity string spectrum, (time-dependent) oscillator masses and wavefunctions. We find that for low lying string modes(finite oscillation number), the classical near-singularity string mode functions are non-divergent for various families of singularities. Furthermore, for any infinitesimal regularization of the vicinity of the singularity, we find a tower of string modes of ultra-high oscillation number which propagate essentially freely in the background. The resulting picture suggests that string interactions are non-negligible near the singularity.Comment: Latex, 30pgs; v2. minor clarifications, references adde

Supersymmetric Intersecting Branes in Time-dependent Backgrounds

We construct a family of supersymmetric solutions in time-dependent backgrounds in supergravity theories. One class of the solutions are intersecting brane solutions and another class are brane solutions in pp-wave backgrounds, and their intersection rules are also given. The relation to existing literature is also discussed. An example of D1-D5 with linear null dilaton together with its possible dual theory is briefly discussed.Comment: 12 pages, corrected typo, added reference, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Non-Relativistic Superstring Theories

We construct a supersymmetric version of the ``critical'' non-relativistic bosonic string theory\cite{Kim:2007hb} with its manifest global symmetry. We introduce the anticommuting $bc$ CFT which is the super partner of the $\beta\gamma$ CFT. The conformal weights of the $b$ and $c$ fields are both 1/2. The action of the fermionic sector can be transformed into that of the relativistic superstring theory. We explicitly quantize the theory with manifest SO(8) symmetry and find that the spectrum is similar to that of Type IIB superstring theory. There is one notable difference: the fermions are non-chiral. We further consider ``noncritical'' generalizations of the supersymmetric theory using the superspace formulation. There is an infinite range of possible string theories similar to the supercritical string theories. We comment on the connection between the critical non-relativistic string theory and the lightlike Linear Dilaton theory.Comment: Typos corrected, references added. A version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Matrix Big Brunch

Following the holographic description of linear dilaton null Cosmologies with a Big Bang in terms of Matrix String Theory put forward by Craps, Sethi and Verlinde, we propose an extended background describing a Universe including both Big Bang and Big Crunch singularities. This belongs to a class of exact string backgrounds and is perturbative in the string coupling far away from the singularities, both of which can be resolved using Matrix String Theory. We provide a simple theory capable of describing the complete evolution of this closed Universe.Comment: 15 pages, no figures. References adde

Time Dependent Cosmologies and Their Duals

We construct a family of solutions in IIB supergravity theory. These are time dependent or depend on a light-like coordinate and can be thought of as deformations of AdS_5 x S^5. Several of the solutions have singularities. The light-like solutions preserve 8 supersymmetries. We argue that these solutions are dual to the N=4 gauge theory in a 3+1 dimensional spacetime with a metric and a gauge coupling that is varying with time or the light-like direction respectively. This identification allows us to map the question of singularity resolution to the dual gauge theory.Comment: 13 pages REVTeX and AMSLaTeX. v2: corrected typos and made some clarifications; reference added; v3: more clarifications, references adde

Effective Dynamics of the Matrix Big Bang

We study the leading quantum effects in the recently introduced Matrix Big Bang model. This amounts to a study of supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory compactified on the Milne orbifold. We find a one-loop potential that is attractive near the Big Bang. Surprisingly, the potential decays very rapidly at late times, where it appears to be generated by D-brane effects. Usually, general covariance constrains the form of any effective action generated by renormalization group flow. However, the form of our one-loop potential seems to violate these constraints in a manner that suggests a connection between the cosmological singularity and long wavelength, late time physics.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX; some minor changes; an improved discussion of the potentia

Null cosmological singularities and free strings

We continue exploring free strings in the background of null Kasner-like cosmological singularities, following arXiv:0904.4532 [hep-th]. We study the free string Schrodinger wavefunctional along the lines of arXiv:0807.1517 [hep-th]. We find the wavefunctional to be nonsingular in the vicinity of singularities whose Kasner exponents satisfy certain relations. We compare this with the description in other variables. We then study certain regulated versions of these singularities where the singular region is replaced by a substringy but nonsingular region and study the string spectra in these backgrounds. The string modes can again be solved for exactly, giving some insight into how string oscillator states get excited near the singularity.Comment: Latex, 24pgs, v3. PRD version, various clarifications on AdS/CFT connections added, references adde