Related papers: On Smooth Time-Dependent Orbifolds and Null Singul…
We study the topological B-model on a deformed $\Z_2$ orbifolded conifold by investigating variation of complex structures via quantum Kodaira-Spencer theories. The fermionic/brane formulation together with systematic utilization of…
This thesis is almost entirely devoted to studying string theory backgrounds characterized by simple geometrical and integrability properties. The archetype of this type of system is given by Wess-Zumino-Witten models, describing string…
Ooguri, Vafa, and Verlinde have recently proposed an approach to string cosmology which is based on the idea that cosmological string moduli should be selected by a Hartle-Hawking wave function. They are led to consider a certain Euclidean…
M(atrix) theory on an orbifold and classical two-branes therein are studied with particular emphasis to heterotic M(atrix) theory on $S_1/Z_2$ relevant to strongly coupled heterotic and dual Type IA string theories. By analyzing orbifold…
We construct spacetime supersymmetric, modular invariant partition functions of strings on the conifold-type singularities which include contributions from the discrete-series representations of SL(2, R). The discrete spectrum is…
We discuss tachyon-free examples of (Type IIB on) non-compact non-supersymmetric orbifolds. Tachyons are projected out by discrete torsion between orbifold twists, while supersymmetry is broken by a Scherk-Schwarz phase (+1/-1 when acting…
Modular invariance is a necessary condition for the consistency of any closed string theory. In particular, it imposes stringent constraints on the spectrum of orbifold theories, and in principle determines their spectrum uniquely up to…
Recent progress on the complete set of solutions of two dimensional classical string theory in any curved spacetime is reviewed. When the curvature is smooth the string solutions are deformed folded string solutions as compared to flat…
We introduce a new class of non-compact backgrounds of Type IIB string theory preserving eight supercharges by combining S-folds and non-perturbative 7-branes wrapping orbifolds, and study the four-dimensional superconformal field theories…
S-duality symmetry of type IIB string theory predicts the existence of a stable non-BPS state on an orbifold five plane of the type IIB theory if the orbifold group is generated by the simultaneous action of (-1)^{F_L} and the reversal of…
On an unstable D-brane, the rolling of the tachyon away from the maximum of its potential is described by time-dependent solutions in string theory. Subsequent analysis leads to an understanding of physics around the tachyon vacuum in terms…
We argue that a class of ``non-critical superstring'' vacua is holographically related to the (non-gravitational) theory obtained by studying string theory on a singular Calabi-Yau manifold in the decoupling limit $g_s\to 0$. In two…
We consider a quantum field theory on a spherically symmetric quantum space time described by loop quantum gravity. The spin network description of space time in such a theory leads to equations for the quantum field that are discrete. We…
The null-brane space-time provides a simple model of a big crunch/big bang singularity. A non-perturbative definition of M-theory on this space-time was recently provided using matrix theory. We derive the fermion couplings for this matrix…
4-dimensional spaces equipped with 2-dimensional (complex holomorphic or real smooth) completely integrable distributions are considered. The integral manifolds of such distributions are totally null and totally geodesics 2-dimensional…
We propose an approach to formulating string theory in a curved spacetime, which is based on the connection between the states of the WZW model for the isometry group of a background spacetime metric and the representations of the…
We discuss consistency conditions for branes at orbifold singularities. The conditions have a world-sheet interpretation in terms of tadpole cancellation and a space-time interpretation in terms of anomalies. As examples, we consider type…
A geometric string solution has background fields in overlapping coordinate patches related by diffeomorphisms and gauge transformations, while for a non-geometric background this is generalised to allow transition functions involving…
We investigate a string model defined by a special plane-wave metric ds^2 = 2dudv - l(u) x^2 du^2 + dx^2 with l(u) = k/u^2 and k=const > 0. This metric is a Penrose limit of some cosmological, Dp-brane and fundamental string backgrounds.…
The classical motion of a test string in the transverse space of two types of heterotic fivebrane sources is fully analyzed, for arbitrary instanton scale size. The singular case is treated as a special case and does not arise in the…