Families of N = 2 strings
Abstract
In a given 4d spacetime bakcground, one can often construct not one but a family of distinct N = 2 string theories. This is due to the multiple ways an N = 2 superconformal algebra can be embedded in a given worldsheet theory. We formulate the principle of obtaining different physical theories by gauging different embeddings of the same symmetry algebra in the same ``pre-theory.'' We then apply it to the N = 2 strings and formulate the recipe for finding the associated parameter spaces of gauging. Flat and curved target spaces of both (4,0) and (2,2) signatures are considered. We broadly divide the gauging choices into two classes, denoted by alpha and beta, and show them to be related by T-duality. The distinction between them is formulated topologically and hinges on some unique properties of 4d manifolds. We determine what their parameter spaces of gauging are under certain simplicity ansatz for generic flat spaces (Bbb R4 and its toroidal compactifications) as well as some curved spaces. We briefly discuss the spectra of D-branes for both alpha and beta families.
- Publication:
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Journal of High Energy Physics
- Pub Date:
- November 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1088/1126-6708/2003/11/026
- arXiv:
- arXiv:hep-th/0211147
- Bibcode:
- 2003JHEP...11..026C
- Keywords:
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- Sigma Models Superstrings and Heterotic Strings Differential and Algebraic Geometry;
- High Energy Physics - Theory;
- Mathematical Physics;
- Mathematics - Differential Geometry
- E-Print:
- 66+1 pages, 2 tables, latex 2e, hyperref. ver2: typos corrected, reference added