Related papers: The Berkovits-Vafa Construction and Nonlinear Real…
We begin a search for nonsupersymmetric/supersymmetric dual string pairs by constructing candidate critical nonsupersymmetric strings as solitons in supersymmetric string theories. Using orbifold techniques, one can construct cosmic string…
We present a fractional superspace formulation of the centerless parasuper-Viraso-ro and fractional super-Virasoro algebras. These are two different generalizations of the ordinary super-Virasoro algebra generated by the infinitesimal…
We consider gauge fixing of open superstring field theory formulated by Berkovits, concentrating on the Neveu-Schwarz sector. In the free theory, we perform gauge fixing completely, which requires infinitely many ghosts and antighosts…
The quasiclassical solution to the extended Toda chain hierarchy, corresponding to the deformation of the simplest Seiberg-Witten theory by all descendants of the dual topological string model, is constructed explicitly in terms of the…
The quantum BRST charges for the Bershadsky-Knizhnik orthogonal quasi-superconformal algebras are constructed. These two-dimensional superalgebras have the $N$-extended non-linearly realised supersymmetry and the $SO(N)$ internal symmetry.…
It has recently been shown that the $W_3$ and $W_3^{(2)}$ algebras can be considered as subalgebras in some linear conformal algebras. In this paper we show that the nonlinear algebras $W_{2,4}$ and $WB_2$ as well as Zamolodchikov's spin…
We find a Polyakov-type action for strings moving in a torsional Newton-Cartan geometry. This is obtained by starting with the relativistic Polyakov action and fixing the momentum of the string along a non-compact null isometry. For a flat…
We propose a new approach to studying hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebras, focussing on the rank-3 algebra $\mathfrak{F}$ first investigated by Feingold and Frenkel. Our approach is based on the concrete realization of this Lie algebra in terms…
It was observed some time ago by Shatashvili and Vafa that superstring compactification on manifolds of exceptional holonomy gives rise to superconformal field theories with extended chiral algebras. In their paper, free field realisations…
We present an exact solution of superstring theory that interpolates in time between an initial type 0 phase and a final phase whose physics is exactly that of the bosonic string. The initial theory is deformed by closed-string tachyon…
N=2 noncritical strings are closely related to the $\Slr/\Slr$ Wess-Zumino- Novikov-Witten model, and there is much hope to further probe the former by using the algebraic apparatus provided by the latter. An important ingredient is the…
In the present contribution, I report on certain {\it non-linear} and {\it non-local} extensions of the conformal (Virasoro) algebra. These so-called $V$-algebras are matrix generalizations of $W$-algebras. First, in the context of…
We propose possible new string theories based on local world-sheet symmetries corresponding to extensions of the Virasoro algebra by fractional spin currents. They have critical central charges $c=6(K+8)/(K+2)$ and Minkowski space-time…
We review some recent developments in string theory, emphasizing the importance of vacuum instabilities, their relation to the density of states, and the role of space-time fermions in non-critical string theory. We also discuss the…
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,…
It is shown that conformal matter with $c_{\ssc L}\not=c_{\ssc R}$ can be consistently coupled to two-dimensional `frame' gravity. The theory is quantized, following David, and Distler and Kawai, using the derivation of their {\it ansatz}…
In the framework of the pure spinor approach of superstring theories, we describe the Y-formalism and use it to compute the picture raised b-field. At the end we discuss briefly the new, non-minimal formalism of Berkovits and the related…
In any string theory there is a hidden, twisted superconformal symmetry algebra, part of which is made up by the BRST current and the anti-ghost. We investigate how this algebra can be systematically constructed for strings with $N\!-\!2$…
Turning on background fields in string theory sometimes has an alternative interpretation as a deformation of the target space geometry. A particularly well-known case is the NS-NS two form B, which gives rise to space-time…
We find a canonical $N{=}2$ superconformal algebra (SCA) in the BRST complex associated to any affine Lie algebra $\hat{\mathbf{h}}$ with $\mathbf{h}$ semisimple. In contrast with the similar known results for the Virasoro, $N{=}1$…