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Topologically Induced Instability in String Theory

Brett McInnes
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Abstract

Using the generalised AdS/CFT correspondence, we show that there are certain ten-dimensional differentiable manifolds such that string theory on such a manifold is unstable [to the emission of "large branes"] no matter what the metric may be. The instability is thus due to the [differential] topology of the manifold, not to any particular choice of its geometry. We propose a precise criterion for this "topology selection mechanism", and prove it in many cases. The techniques employed may be useful in more general cases.

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Brett McInnes. 2001-03-21. Topologically Induced Instability in String Theory. https://doi.org/10.1088/1126-6708%2F2001%2F03%2F031

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