Related papers: On exact solutions and singularities in string the…
The influence of higher order (stringly inspired) curvature corrections to the classical General Relativity spherically symmetric solution is studied. In string gravity these curvature corrections have a special form and can provide a…
Big bang/crunch curvature singularities in exact CFT string backgrounds can be removed by turning on gauge fields. This is described within a family of {SL(2)xSU(2)xU(1)_x}/{U(1)xU(1)} quotient CFTs. Uncharged incoming wavefunctions from…
We consider an extension of a special class of conformal sigma models (`chiral null models') which describe extreme supersymmetric string solutions. The new models contain both `left' and `right' vector couplings and should correspond to…
The SL(2,R) WZW model, one of the simplest models for strings propagating in curved space time, was believed to be non-unitary in the algebraic treatment involving affine current algebra. It is shown that this was an error that resulted…
We discuss two classes of exact (in $\a'$) string solutions described by conformal sigma models. They can be viewed as two possibilities of constructing a conformal model out of the non-conformal one based on the metric of a $D$-dimensional…
Deformations of gauged WZW actions are constructed for any pair $(G,H)$ by taking different embeddings of the gauge group $H\subset G$ as it acts on the left and right of the group element $g$. This leads to models that are dual to each…
We obtain a four dimensional exploding universe solution in string theory. The solution is obtained from the string theory in the flat background by using non-abelian $T$-duality and the analytic continuation. In the solution, the radius of…
We study a class of time dependent solutions of the vacuum Einstein equations which are plane waves with weak null singularities. This singularity is weak in the sense that though the tidal forces diverge at the singularity, the rate of…
We study string theory in supersymmetric time-dependent backgrounds. In the framework of general relativity, supersymmetry for spacetimes without flux implies the existence of a covariantly constant null vector, and a relatively simple form…
In this lecture I summarize recent developments on strings propagating in curved spacetime. Exact conformal field theories that describe gravitational backgrounds such as black holes and more intricate gravitational singularities have been…
The duality symmetries of WZW and coset models are discussed. The exact underlying symmetry responsible for semiclassical duality is identified with the symmetry under affine Weyl transformations. This identification unifies the treatement…
We present a number of D=4 bosonic and heterotic string solutions with a covariantly constant null Killing vector which, like the solution of Nappi and Witten (NW), correspond to (gauged) WZW models and thus have a direct conformal field…
We formulate WZW models based on a centrally extended version of the Euclidean group in $d$-dimensions. We obtain string backgrounds corresponding to conformal $\s$-models in $D=d^2$ space-time dimensions with exact central charge $c=d^2$…
We find new classes of {\it exact} string solutions in a variety of curved backgrounds. They include stationary and dynamical (open, closed, straight, finitely and infinitely long) strings as well as {\it multi-string} solutions, in terms…
We consider a class of $2+D$ - dimensional string backgrounds with a target space metric having a covariantly constant null Killing vector and flat `transverse' part. The corresponding sigma models are invariant under $D$ abelian isometries…
We obtain new duality transformations relating some exact string backgrounds, by defining the nilpotent duality. We show that the ungauged $SL(2, R)$ WZW model transforms by its action into the three dimensional plane wave geometry. We also…
The complete set of solutions of two dimensional classical string theory are constructed for any curved spacetime. They describe folded strings moving in curved spacetime. Surprizing stringy behavior becomes evident at singularities such as…
In this talk we discuss the cosmic singularity. We motivate the need to correct general relativity in the study of singularities, and mention the kind of corrections provided by string theory. We review how string theory resolves time-like…
We consider string theory corrections to 4D black holes which solve the 5D vacuum Einstein equations. We find that the corrections vanish only for the extremal electric solution. We also show that for the non-extremal electric black hole…
Some gauge theories with Coulomb branches exhibit singularities in perturbation theory, which are usually resolved by nonperturbative physics. In string theory this corresponds to the resolution of timelike singularities near the core of…