Related papers: Massive string modes and non-singular pre-big-bang…
We review some aspects of moduli in string theory. We argue that one should focus on {\it approximate moduli spaces}, and that there is evidence that such spaces exist non-perturbatively. We ask what it would mean for string theory to…
Recently there has been considerable interest in field theories and string theories with large extra spacetime dimensions. In this paper, we explore the role of such extra dimensions for cosmology, focusing on cosmological phase transitions…
Ultrahigh-energy string scattering is investigated to clarify the relative role of string and gravitational effects, and their possible contributions to nonlocal behavior. Different regimes can be characterized by varying the impact…
We present the computation of threshold functions for Abelian orbifold compactifications. Specifically, starting from the massive, moduli-dependent string spectrum after compactification, we derive the threshold functions as target space…
We consider the low-energy effective action of string theory at order $\alpha '$, including $R^2$-corrections to the Einstein-Hilbert gravitational action and non-trivial dilaton coupling. By means of a convenient field redefinition, we…
String dynamics in a curved space-time is studied on the basis of an action functional including a small parameter of rescaled tension $\epsilon=\gamma/\alpha^{\prime}$, where $\gamma$ is a metric parametrizing constant. A rescaled slow…
Non-uniform black strings coupled to a gauge field are constructed by a perturbative method in a wide range of spacetime dimensions. At the linear order of perturbations, we see that the Gregory-Laflamme instability vanishes at the point…
We investigate the evolution of small perturbations around black strings and branes which are low energy solutions of string theory. For simplicity we focus attention on the zero charge case and show that there are unstable modes for a…
We discuss general features of the $\beta$-function equations for spatially flat, $(d+1)$-dimensional cosmological backgrounds at lowest order in the string-loop expansion, but to all orders in $\alpha'$. In the special case of constant…
A nonperturbative correction to the thermal nucleation rate of critical bubbles in a first order phase transition is estimated. The correction originates from large-amplitude fluctuations which may be present before the transition occurs.…
We consider the well-known solution of the Heterotic Superstring effective action to zeroth order in $\alpha'$ that describes the intersection of a fundamental string with momentum and a solitonic 5-brane and which gives a 3-charge, static,…
We study finite temperature effects in string cosmology and their potential gravitational wave signature. Expanding on our recent work arXiv:2310.11494 , we consider a general configuration of highly excited open and closed strings at high…
We discuss string theory alpha' corrections to charged near-extremal black 3-branes/black holes in type IIB supergravity. We find that supersymmetric global AdS_5 x S^5 geometry is not corrected to leading order in alpha', while charged or…
We study some conditions for the hierarchy $m_{3/2} << M_P$ to occur naturally in a generic effective supergravity theory. Absence of fine-tuning and perturbative calculability require that the effective potential has a sliding gravitino…
We attempt to understand the fate of spacelike gravitational singularities in string theory via the quantum stress tensor for string matter in a fixed background. We first approximate the singularity with a homogeneous anisotropic…
We investigate the stability of the electroweak Z-string at high temperatures. Our results show that while finite temperature corrections can improve the stability of the Z-string, their effect is not strong enough to stabilize the Z-string…
We present a critical review and summary of String Gas Cosmology. We include a pedagogical derivation of the effective action starting from string theory, emphasizing the necessary approximations that must be invoked. Working in the…
We systematically investigate the effect of short distance physics on the spectrum of temperature anistropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background produced during inflation. We present a general argument-assuming only low energy locality-that…
We construct an exact black hole solution for the Einstein gravity coupled with the nonlinear electrodynamics (which corresponds to the Maxwell electrodynamics in the weak field limit) in the presence of a cloud of strings as the source. We…
Metric perturbations typically strengthen field resonances during preheating. In contrast we present a model in which the super-Hubble field resonances are completely {\em suppressed} when metric perturbations are included. The model is the…