Related papers: The no-ghost theorem for string theory in curved b…
A large class of cosmological solutions (of the Einstein equations) in string theory, in the presence of Maxwell fields, is obtained by $O(d,d)$ transformations of simple backgrounds with $d$ toroidal isometries. In all the examples in…
The unitarity of the NS supersymmetric coset SL(2,R)/U(1) is studied for the discrete representations. The results are applied to the proof of the no-ghost theorem for fermionic strings in AdS(3) x N in the NS sector. A no-ghost theorem is…
The covariant operator quantization of the ordinary free spinning BDH string modified by adding the supersymmetric Liouville sector is analysed in the even target space dimensions $d=2,4,6,8$. The spectrum generating algebra for this model…
We show that the $N=2$ superstring in $d=2D\ge6$ real dimensions, with criticality achieved by including background charges in the two real time directions, exhibits a ``coordinate-freezing'' phenomenon, whereby the momentum in one of the…
Non-relativistic string theories promise to provide simpler theories of quantum gravity as well as tractable limits of the AdS/CFT correspondence. However, several apparently distinct non-relativistic string theories have been constructed.…
We explore a general mechanism that allows (1+1)d CFTs to have interesting interface conformal manifolds even in the absence of any continuous internal symmetry or supersymmetry. This is made possible by the breaking of an enhanced…
We complete the proof of the ghost-dilaton theorem in string theory by showing that the coupling constant dependence of the vacuum vertices appearing in the closed string action is given correctly by one-point functions of the…
The cosmological constant problem and the compatibility of gravity with quantum mechanics are the two most pressing problems in all of gravitational theory. While string theory nicely addresses the latter, it has so far failed to provide…
We construct a sigma model in two dimensions with Galilean symmetry in flat target space similar to the sigma model of the critical string theory with Lorentz symmetry in 10 flat spacetime dimensions. This is motivated by the works of Gomis…
It is argued that the complete S-matrix of string theory at tree level in a flat background can be obtained from a small set of target space properties, without recourse to the worldsheet description. The main non-standard inputs are…
We study $c<1$ matter coupled to gravity in the Coulomb gas formalism using the double cohomology of the string BRST and Felder BRST charges. We find that states outside the primary conformal grid are related to the states of non-zero ghost…
We consider generic derivative corrections to the Einstein gravity and find new classes of theories without ghost around the Minkowski background by means of an extension of the spacetime geometry. We assume the Riemann-Cartan geometry,…
We review recent developments on nonrelativistic string theory. In flat spacetime, the theory is defined by a two-dimensional relativistic quantum field theory with nonrelativistic global symmetries acting on the worldsheet fields. This…
We present a new understanding of the unstable ghost-like resonance which appears in theories such as quadratic gravity and Lee-Wick type theories. Quantum corrections make this resonance unstable, such that it does not appear in the…
We investigate the problems of ghosts and stability in the framework of asymptotical safe theory of gravity in the Minkowski background. Within one loop corrections, we obtain explicitly the constraints on the coupling parameters. Applying…
A spectrum generating algebra is constructed and used to find all the physical states of the $W_3$ string with standard ghost number. These states are shown to have positive norm and their partition function is found to involve the Ising…
Schild's null (tensionless) strings are discussed in certain flat and curved backgrounds. We find closed, stationary, null strings as natural configurations existing on the horizons of spacetimes which possess such null hypersurfaces.…
Contrary to common belief, it is shown that theories whose field equations are higher than second order in derivatives need not be stricken with ghosts. In particular, the prototypical fourth-order derivative Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator model…
AdS/CFT is a conjectured equivalence between a field theory without gravity (conformal field theory) and a string theory in a special curved background (anti de-Sitter space), where theories on both sides of the equivalence is…
The elements of $O(d,d,\Z)$ are shown to be discrete symmetries of the space of curved string backgrounds that are independent of $d$ coordinates. The explicit action of the symmetries on the backgrounds is described. Particular attention…