Related papers: Generalised chiral null models and rotating string…
In this thesis, two aspects of string theory are discussed, tensionless strings and supersymmetric sigma models. The equivalent to a massless particle in string theory is a tensionless string. Even almost 30 years after it was first…
We study d=2, N=(2,2) non-linear sigma-models in (2,2) superspace. By analyzing the most general constraints on a superfield, we show that through an appropriate choice of coordinates, there are no other superfields than chiral, twisted…
We study the first order form of the NS string sigma model allowing for worldsheet couplings corresponding on the target space to a bi-vector, a two-form and an inverse metric. Lifting the topological sector of this action to three…
Ambitwistor strings are chiral (holomorphic) strings whose target is the space of complex null geodesics, ambitwistor space. We introduce twistor representations of ambitwistor space in 6 and 5 dimensions. In 6d the twistor representation…
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…
I consider a three-dimensional string theory whose action, besides the standard area term, contains one of the form $\int_{\Sigma} \epsilon_{\mu\nu\sigma} X^{\mu} d X^{\nu} \wedge d X^{\sigma}$. In the case of closed strings this extra term…
We investigate backgrounds of Type IIB string theory with null singularities and their duals proposed in hep-th/0602107. The dual theory is a deformed N=4 Yang-Mills theory in 3+1 dimensions with couplings dependent on a light-like…
A geometrical approach in the non-symmetric connection framework is employed to examine the issue of higher order $\alpha'$ corrections to D=10 type IIB superstring backgrounds with a covariantly constant null Killing isometry and non-zero…
We construct two new classes of exact solutions to string theory which are not of the standard plane wave or gauged WZW type. Many of these solutions have curvature singularities. The first class includes the fundamental string solution,…
We formulate matrix string models on a class of exact string backgrounds with non constant RR-flux parameterized by a holomorphic prepotential function and with manifest (2,2) supersymmetry. This lifts these string theories to M-theory…
We show that the extreme six-dimensional black string admits a conformal isometry under inversion. Duality relations between null geodesics of various brane geometries are demonstrated, some of which have a geometrical origin through an…
After reviewing the $\beta$-function equations for consistent string backgrounds in the $\sigma$-model approach, including metric and antisymmetric tensor, dilaton and tachyon potential, we apply this formalism to WZW models. We…
We consider non-relativistic conformal quantum mechanical theories that arise by doing discrete light cone quantization of field theories. If the field theory has a gravity dual, then the conformal quantum mechanical theory can have a…
Two solutions of stringy gravity in three and four dimensions which admit interpretation as a black hole and a black string, respectively, are discussed. It is demonstrated that they are exact WZWN nonlinear sigma models to all orders in…
We study the (2,0) superconformal theories in six dimensions, which arise from the low-energy limit of k coincident 5-branes, using their discrete light-cone formulation as a superconformal quantum mechanical sigma model. We analyze the…
In string theory it is known that abelian isometries in the sigma model lead to target space duality. We generalize this duality to backgrounds with non--abelian isometries. The procedure we follow consists of gauging the isometries of the…
Following recent work on GLSM localization, we work out curvature couplings for rigidly supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models with superpotential for general target spaces, describing both ordinary and twisted chiral superfields on round…
It is shown that gauged nonlinear sigma models can be always deformed by terms proportional to the field strength of the gauge fields (nonminimal gauging). These deformations can be interpreted as perturbations, by marginal operators, of…
We construct models in 1+1 dimensions with chiral (0,N) supersymmetry by taking orientifolds of type IIB on an eight-torus identified by different numbers of reflections. The resulting models have Dirichlet strings, fivebranes and…
String backgrounds associated with gauged $G/H$ WZNW models generically depend on $\alpha'$ or $1/k$. The exact expressions for the corresponding metric $G_{\m\n}$, antisymmetric tensor $B_{\m\n}$, and dilaton $\phi$ can be obtained by…