Branes, Fluxes and Duality in M(atrix)-Theory

We use the T-duality transformation which relates M-theory on T^3 to M-theory on a second T^3 with inverse volume to test the Banks-Fischler-Shenker-Susskind suggestion for the matrix model description of M-theory. We find evidence that T-duality is realized as S-duality for $U(\infty)$ N=4 Super-Yang-Mills in 3+1D. We argue that Kaluza Klein states of gravitons correspond to electric fluxes, wrapped membranes become magnetic fluxes and instantonic membranes are related to Yang-Mills instantons. The T-duality transformation of gravitons into wrapped membranes is interpreted as the duality between electric and magnetic fluxes. The identification of M-theory T-duality as SYM S-duality provides a natural framework for studying the M-theory 5-brane as the S-dual object to the unwrapped membrane. Using the equivalence between compactified M(atrix) theory and SYM, we find a natural candidate for a description of the light-cone 5-brane of M-theory directly in terms of matrix variables, analogous to the known description of the M(atrix) theory membrane.Comment: 14pp TeX, A suggestion for a matrix description of the 5-brane is added, and minor corrections are mad

Coadjoint Orbits and Conformal Field Theory

This thesis describes a new approach to conformal field theory. This approach combines the method of coadjoint orbits with resolutions and chiral vertex operators to give a construction of the correlation functions of conformal field theories in terms of geometrically defined objects. Explicit formulae are given for representations of Virasoro and affine algebras in terms of a local gauge choice on the line bundle associated with geometric quantization of a given coadjoint orbit; these formulae define a new set of explicit bosonic realizations of these algebras. The coadjoint orbit realizations take the form of dual Verma modules, making it possible to avoid the technical difficulties associated with the two-sided resolutions which arise from Feigin-Fuchs and Wakimoto realizations. Formulae are given for screening and intertwining operators on the coadjoint orbit representations. Chiral vertex operators between Virasoro modules are constructed, and related directly to Virasoro algebra generators in certain cases. From the point of view taken in this thesis, vertex operators have a geometric interpretation as differential operators taking sections of one line bundle to sections of another. A suggestion is made that by connecting this description with recent work deriving field theory actions from coadjoint orbits, a deeper understanding of the geometry of conformal field theory might be achieved.Comment: 121 pages (Ph.D. thesis) LBL-34507. Run LaTeX *3* times for t.o.c. (no changes in content -- AMS fonts are replaced by more universal bold fonts and some lines causing problems with non-standard tex versions are fixed.

Induced Innovation in Non-Hydro Renewable Technologies: The Effects of Energy Prices and Federal Spending

Our society’s reliance on fossil fuels has many negative results, including compromised national security and foreign relations as well as environmental damage. Many see technology as the key to an improved energy future, and in particular the development of new, cleaner renewable energy sources. The question then remains how to stimulate such technological innovation. In this study, I use U.S. patent data from 1970 to 2001, along with historic energy prices and federal spending data to see the affect energy price and R&D spending have on innovation in the non-hydro renewable energy industries – solar, wind, geothermal, oceanic, and fuel cell. Using a simple regression, I found a very strong, positive relationship between both R&D spending and energy price on innovation in the non-hydro renewable energy industries. This suggests that a policy intended to stimulate renewable energy innovation could do so either through increased federal R&D spending, or by increasing energy prices through taxation or other means

Farmville\u27s WFLO (95.7 FM) interviews President Reveley

In June, Longwood President W. Taylor Reveley IV was interviewed by Francis Wood on Farmville\u27s WFLO (95.7 FM and 870 AM) as part of their Call Flo morning radio show. In the interview, President Reveley talks about his family background, his new role as the president of Longwood University, various challenges in higher education and much more

Dielectric Fundamental Strings in Matrix String Theory

Matrix string theory is equivalent to type IIA superstring theory in the light-cone gauge, together with extra degrees of freedom representing D-brane states. It is therefore the appropriate framework in which to study systems of multiple fundamental strings expanding into higher-dimensional D-branes. Starting from Matrix theory in a weakly curved background, we construct the linear couplings of closed string fields to type IIA Matrix strings. As a check, we show that at weak coupling the resulting action reproduces light-cone gauge string theory in a weakly curved background. Further dualities give a type IIB Matrix string theory and a type IIA theory of Matrix strings with winding. We comment on the dielectric effect in each of these theories, giving some explicit solutions describing fundamental strings expanding into various Dp-branes.Comment: Plain LaTeX, 25 pages. Reference added. Version to appear to NP

Three-graviton scattering in Matrix theory revisited

We consider a subset of the terms in the effective potential describing three-graviton interactions in Matrix theory and in classical eleven-dimensional supergravity. In agreement with the results of Dine and Rajaraman, we find that these terms vanish in Matrix theory. We show that the absence of these terms is compatible with the classical supergravity theory when the theory is compactified in a lightlike direction, resolving an apparent discrepancy between the two theories. A brief discussion is given of how this calculation might be generalized to compare the Matrix theory and supergravity descriptions of an arbitrary 3-body system.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX; v2: reference added, v3: text unchanged, Note added clarifying connection with other recent result

Conformal Invariance of the D-Particle Effective Action

It is shown that the effective theory of D-particles has conformal symmetry with field-dependent parameters. This is a consequence of the supersymmetry. The string coupling constant is not transformed in contrast with the recent proposal of generalized conformal symmtery by Jevicki et al. This conformal symmetry can also be generalized to other Dp-brane systems.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX, typos corrected, one footnote and one note adde