Related papers: $sl(2)_{-4}$ WZW Model as an N=4 Supersymmetric Bo…

We present an algebraic approach to string theory, using a Hamiltonian reduction of N=2 WZW models. An embedding of sl(1|2) in a Lie superalgebra determines a niltopent subalgebra. Chirally gauging this subalgebra in the corresponding WZW…

We present a new development in our approach to the covariant quantization of superstrings in 10 dimensions which is based on a gauged WZNW model. To incorporate worldsheet diffeomorphisms we need the quartet of ghosts $(b_{zz},c^{z},…

We present an algebraic approach to string theory. An embedding of $sl(2|1)$ in a super Lie algebra together with a grading on the Lie algebra determines a nilpotent subalgebra of the super Lie algebra. Chirally gauging this subalgebra in…

We study W-algebras obtained by quantum Hamiltonian reduction of $sl(Mn)$ associated to the $sl(2)$ embedding of rectangular type. The algebra can be realized as the asymptotic symmetry of higher spin gravity with $M \times M$ matrix valued…

We show that the BRST structure of the topological string is encoded in the ``small'' $N=4$ superconformal algebra, enabling us to obtain, in a non-trivial way, the string theory from hamiltonian reduction of $A(1|1)$. This leads to the…

We show that almost all string theories, including the bosonic string, the superstring and $W$-string theories, possess a twisted N=2 superconformal symmetry. This enables us to establish a connection between topological gravity and the…

BRST operators for two-dimensional theories with spin-2 and spin-$s$ currents, generalising the $W_3$ BRST operator of Thierry-Mieg, have previously been obtained. The construction was based on demanding nilpotence of the BRST operators,…

We present a derivation of the N=1 and N=2 superconformal coset constructions starting from a supersymmetric WZW model where a diagonal subgroup has been gauged. We work in the general framework of self-dual (not necessarily reductive) Lie…

For n\geq 2, there is a free field realization of the affine vertex superalgebra A associated to psl(n|n) at critical level inside the bc\beta\gamma system W of rank n^2. We show that the commutant C=Com(A,W) is purely bosonic and is freely…

The noncritical $D=4$ $W_3$ string is a model of $W_3$ gravity coupled to two free scalar fields. In this paper we discuss its BRST quantization in direct analogy with that of the $D=2$ (Virasoro) string. In particular, we calculate the…

We investigate the W-algebras generated by the integer dimension chiral primary operators of the SU(2)_0 WZNW model. These have a form almost identical to that found in the c=-2 model but have, in addition, an extended Kac-Moody structure.…

A homogeneous anisotropic four dimensional spacetime with Lorentzian signature is constructed from an ungauged WZW model based on a non-semisimple Lie group. The associated non-linear $\sigma $-model describes string propagation in an…

The BRST operator cohomology of $N=2$ $2d$ supergravity coupled to matter is presented. Descent equations for primary superfields of the matter sector are derived. We find one copy of the cohomology at ghost number one, two independent…

The full cohomology ring of the Lian-Zuckerman type operators (states) in ${\hat c_M}<1$ Neveu-Schwarz-Ramond (NSR) string theory is argued to be generated by three elements $x$, $y$ and $w$ in analogy with the corresponding results in the…

In this paper we construct a $(2,2)$ dimensional string theory with manifest $N=1$ spacetime supersymmetry. We use Berkovits' approach of augmenting the spacetime supercoordinates by the conjugate momenta for the fermionic variables. The…

The noncritical $4D$ $\cW_3$ string is a model of $\cW_3$ gravity coupled to two free scalar fields. In this paper we discuss its BRST quantization in direct analogy with that of the $2D$ (Virasoro) string. The physical operators form a…

We propose a simple method for constructing representations of (super)conformal and nonlinear W-type algebras in terms of their subalgebras and corresponding Nambu-Goldstone fields. We apply it to N=2 and N=1 superconformal algebras and…

We show that the SU(2)_0 WZNW model has a hidden OSp(2|2)_{-2} symmetry. Both these theories are known to have logarithms in their correlation functions. We also show that, like OSp(2|2)_{-2}, the logarithmic structure present in the…

Some WZW models on affine Lie superalgebras at critical level describe string theory on AdS backgrounds at critical values of the string tension. This is the case of $\mathfrak{psu}(1,1|2)_1$ for ${\rm AdS}_3 \times {\rm S}^3$ and…

We discuss the four-dimensional target-space interpretation of bosonic strings based on gauged WZW models, in particular of those based on the non-compact coset space $SL(2,{\bf R})\times SO(1,1)^2 /SO(1,1)$. We show that these theories…