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arXiv · 0910.0180

On tree-level higher order gravitational couplings in superstring theory

S. Stieberger
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Abstract

We consider the scattering amplitudes of five and six gravitons at tree-level in superstring theory. Their power series expansions in the Regge slope alpha' are analyzed through the order alpha'^8 showing some interesting constraints on higher order gravitational couplings in the effective superstring action like the absence of R^5 terms. Furthermore, some transcendentality constraints on the coefficients of the non-vanishing couplings are observed: the absence of zeta values of even weight through the order alpha'^8 like the absence of zeta(2) zeta(3) R^6 terms. Our analysis is valid for any superstring background in any space-time dimension, which allows for a conformal field theory description.

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S. Stieberger. 2011-02-03. On tree-level higher order gravitational couplings in superstring theory. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.106.111601

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