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arXiv · 2505.07458

Heterotic String Sigma Models: Discrete Light Cone Quantization and Its Current-Current Deformation

Eric A. Bergshoeff·Kevin T. Grosvenor·Luca Romano·Ziqi Yan
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Abstract

We propose a two-dimensional superstring sigma model that defines a self-contained corner of heterotic string theory, whose second quantization is heterotic matrix string theory. This worldsheet theory arises from a BPS decoupling limit that zooms in on the heterotic string, under which the target space geometry becomes non-Lorentzian. This construction generalizes the Gomis-Ooguri formulation of non-relativistic string theory to the heterotic case. We show how such a worldsheet theory provides a first-principles definition of the heterotic string in the discrete light cone quantization via T-duality. By turning on a current-current deformation akin to a $T\bar{T}$ deformation, the conventional heterotic string theory with a Lorentzian target space is recovered. We analyze the gauge and gravitational anomalies with respect to the lowest-order quantum corrections in the sigma model and show how the worldsheet theory is consistent with non-Lorentzian supergravity in the target space.

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Eric A. Bergshoeff, Kevin T. Grosvenor, Luca Romano, Ziqi Yan. 2025-05-12. Heterotic String Sigma Models: Discrete Light Cone Quantization and Its Current-Current Deformation. https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.07458

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