BPS branes in discrete torsion orbifolds

We investigate D-branes in a Z_3xZ_3 orbifold with discrete torsion. For this class of orbifolds the only known objects which couple to twisted RR potentials have been non-BPS branes. By using more general gluing conditions we construct here a D-brane which is BPS and couples to RR potentials in the twisted and in the untwisted sectors.Comment: 20 pages, LaTe

Twisted brane charges for non-simply connected groups

The charges of the twisted branes for strings on the group manifold SU(n)/Z_d are determined. To this end we derive explicit (and remarkably simple) formulae for the relevant NIM-rep coefficients. The charge groups of the twisted and untwisted branes are compared and found to agree for the cases we consider.Comment: 30 page

On conformal Jordan cells of finite and infinite rank

This work concerns in part the construction of conformal Jordan cells of infinite rank and their reductions to conformal Jordan cells of finite rank. It is also discussed how a procedure similar to Lie algebra contractions may reduce a conformal Jordan cell of finite rank to one of lower rank. A conformal Jordan cell of rank one corresponds to a primary field. This offers a picture in which any finite conformal Jordan cell of a given conformal weight may be obtained from a universal covering cell of the same weight but infinite rank.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, v2: typo corrected, comments added, version to be publishe

Quantization of Wilson loops in Wess-Zumino-Witten models

We describe a non-perturbative quantization of classical Wilson loops in the WZW model. The quantized Wilson loop is an operator acting on the Hilbert space of closed strings and commuting either with the full Kac-Moody chiral algebra or with one of its subalgebras. We prove that under open/closed string duality, it is dual to a boundary perturbation of the open string theory. As an application, we show that such operators are useful tools for identifying fixed points of the boundary renormalization group flow.Comment: 24 pages. Version published in JHE

Charges of twisted branes: the exceptional cases

The charges of the twisted D-branes for the two exceptional cases (SO(8) with the triality automorphism and E_6 with charge conjugation) are determined. To this end the corresponding NIM-reps are expressed in terms of the fusion rules of the invariant subalgebras. As expected the charge groups are found to agree with those characterising the untwisted branes.Comment: 15 page

Generalised permutation branes

We propose a new class of non-factorising D-branes in the product group GxG where the fluxes and metrics on the two factors do not necessarily coincide. They generalise the maximally symmetric permutation branes which are known to exist when the fluxes agree, but break the symmetry down to the diagonal current algebra in the generic case. Evidence for the existence of these branes comes from a Lagrangian description for the open string world-sheet and from effective Dirac-Born-Infeld theory. We state the geometry, gauge fields and, in the case of SU(2)xSU(2), tensions and partial results on the open string spectrum. In the latter case the generalised permutation branes provide a natural and complete explanation for the charges predicted by K-theory including their torsion.Comment: 33 pages, 6 figures, v2: Extended discussion of K-theory interpretation of our branes for products of higher rank groups in the conclusions; v3: Correction of formula (35) and adjustment of the discussion below equation (45) (no change of result). Footnote 9 points out a previously unnoticed subtlety and provides a reference to a more detailed discussio

Boundary States of c=1 and 3/2 Rational Conformal Field Theories

We study the boundary states for the rational points in the moduli spaces of c=1 conformal and c=3/2 superconformal field theories, including the isolated Ginsparg points. We use the orbifold and simple-current techniques to relate the boundary states of different theories and to obtain symmetry-breaking, non-Cardy boundary states. We show some interesting examples of fractional and twisted branes on orbifold spaces.Comment: Latex, 46 pages, 1 figur

D-brane charges on non-simply connected groups

The maximally symmetric D-branes of string theory on the non-simply connected Lie group SU(n)/Z_d are analysed using conformal field theory methods, and their charges are determined. Unlike the well understood case for simply connected groups, the charge equations do not determine the charges uniquely, and the charge group associated to these D-branes is therefore in general not cyclic. The precise structure of the charge group depends on some number theoretic properties of n, d, and the level of the underlying affine algebra k. The examples of SO(3)=SU(2)/Z_2 and SU(3)/Z_3 are worked out in detail, and the charge groups for SU(n)/Z_d at most levels k are determined explicitly.Comment: 31 pages, 1 figure. 2 refs added. Added the observation: the charge group for each su(2) theory equals the centre of corresponding A-D-E grou

Higher string functions, higher-level Appell functions, and the logarithmic ^sl(2)_k/u(1) CFT model

We generalize the string functions C_{n,r}(tau) associated with the coset ^sl(2)_k/u(1) to higher string functions A_{n,r}(tau) and B_{n,r}(tau) associated with the coset W(k)/u(1) of the W-algebra of the logarithmically extended ^sl(2)_k conformal field model with positive integer k. The higher string functions occur in decomposing W(k) characters with respect to level-k theta and Appell functions and their derivatives (the characters are neither quasiperiodic nor holomorphic, and therefore cannot decompose with respect to only theta-functions). The decomposition coefficients, to be considered ``logarithmic parafermionic characters,'' are given by A_{n,r}(tau), B_{n,r}(tau), C_{n,r}(tau), and by the triplet \mathscr{W}(p)-algebra characters of the (p=k+2,1) logarithmic model. We study the properties of A_{n,r} and B_{n,r}, which nontrivially generalize those of the classic string functions C_{n,r}, and evaluate the modular group representation generated from A_{n,r}(tau) and B_{n,r}(tau); its structure inherits some features of modular transformations of the higher-level Appell functions and the associated transcendental function Phi.Comment: 34 pages, amsart++, times. V2: references added; minor changes; some nonsense in B.3.3. correcte

D-brane charges on SO(3)

In this letter we discuss charges of D-branes on the group manifold SO(3). Our discussion will be based on a conformal field theory analysis of boundary states in a Z_2-orbifold of SU(2). This orbifold differs from the one recently discussed by Gaberdiel and Gannon in its action on the fermions and leads to a drastically different charge group. We shall consider maximally symmetric branes as well as branes with less symmetry, and find perfect agreement with a recent computation of the corresponding K-theory groups.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure. Some comments adde