Related papers: String theory and the Classical Stability of Plane…
The most general parallelizable pp-wave backgrounds which are non-dilatonic solutions in the NS-NS sector of type IIA and IIB string theories are considered. We demonstrate that parallelizable pp-wave backgrounds are necessarily homogeneous…
We construct type I string models with supersymmetry broken by compactification that are non-tachyonic and have exponentially small effective potential at one-loop. All open string moduli can be stabilized, while the closed string moduli…
An oscillating, compact Friedmann universe with a massive conformally coupled scalar field is studied in the framework of quantum cosmology. The scalar field is treated as a perturbation and we look for solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt…
We extend our earlier work, regarding the perturbative stability of string configurations used for computing the interaction potential of heavy quarks within the gauge/gravity correspondence, to cover a more general class of gravity duals.…
We study the low-lying excitations of Type IIA superstring theory in a plane wave background with 24 supersymmetries. In the light-cone gauge, the superstring action has ${\cal N}=(4,4)$ supersymmetry and is exactly solvable, since it is…
We argue that traditional methods of compactification of string theory make it very difficult to understand how the cosmological constant becomes zero. String inspired models can give zero cosmological constant after fine tuning but since…
The evolution of small perturbations around rotating black branes and strings, which are low energy solutions of string theory, are investigated. For simplicity, we concentrate on the Kerr solution times transverse flat extra dimensions,…
The spectrum of stable electrically and magnetically charged supersymmetric particles can change discontinuously as one changes the vacuum on the Coulomb branch of gauge theories with extended supersymmetry in four dimensions. We show that…
Nonrelativistic string theory is a unitary, ultraviolet finite quantum gravity theory with a nonrelativistic string spectrum. The vertex operators of the worldsheet theory determine the spacetime geometry of nonrelativistic string theory,…
We present a construction of a perturbatively stable non-supersymmetric type II closed string model in four dimensions. It is based on a freely acting Scherk-Schwarz Z2-deformation of a supersymmetric construction which is recovered in…
We investigate the standard model in a cosmic string background and show that the electroweak symmetry is partially restored. For a range of parameters the electroweak Higgs field can wind in this region, producing an electroweak string…
We study the behavior of static, spherically symmetric solutions to the field equations of scalar-tensor theories (STT) of gravity belonging to the Bergmann-Wagoner-Nordtvedt class, in the presence of an electric and/or magnetic charge.…
Global symmetries of the string effective action are employed to generate tilted, homogeneous Bianchi type VI_h string cosmologies from a previously known stiff perfect fluid solution to Einstein gravity. The dilaton field is not constant…
A model of a straight superconducting global cosmic string is examined in a setting wherein the string supports a charge/current pulse described by a travelling wave along the string. Linearized field equations are obtained for fluctuations…
We consider string theory in maximally supersymmetric type IIB plane wave background with constant five form Ramond-Ramond flux (RR plane wave). It is argued that there exists a universal sector of string configurations independent of the…
Negative energy objects generally lead to instabilities and a number of other disturbing behaviors. In particular, negative energy fluxes lead to a breakdown of the classical area theorem for black hole horizons, which can lead to…
If the graviton possesses an arbitrarily small (but nonvanishing) mass, perturbation theory implies that cosmic strings have a nonzero Newtonian potential. Nevertheless in Einstein gravity, where the graviton is strictly massless, the…
Metastable cosmic strings provide a minimal and predictive origin for the stochastic gravitational-wave background reported by Pulsar Timing Array experiments. We analyse this possibility in electroweak-like dark sectors with a single-stage…
Type I string theory provides eight classes of unstable D-brane systems. We determine the gauge group and tachyon spectrum for each one, and thereby describe the gauge symmetry breaking pattern in the low-energy world-volume field theory.…
Macroscopic fundamental and Dirichlet strings have several potential instabilities: breakage, tachyon decays, and confinement by axion domain walls. We investigate the conditions under which metastable strings can exist, and we find that…