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arXiv · hep-th/0406030

Annulus Amplitudes and ZZ Branes in Minimal String Theory

David Kutasov·Kazumi Okuyama·Jongwon Park·Nathan Seiberg·David Shih
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Abstract

We study the annulus amplitudes of (p,q) minimal string theory. Focusing on the ZZ-FZZT annulus amplitude as a target-space probe of the ZZ brane, we use it to confirm that the ZZ branes are localized in the strong-coupling region. Along the way we learn that the ZZ-FZZT open strings are fermions, even though our theory is bosonic! We also provide a geometrical interpretation of the annulus amplitudes in terms of the Riemann surface M_{p,q} that emerges from the FZZT branes. The ZZ-FZZT annulus amplitude measures the deformation of M_{p,q} due to the presence of background ZZ branes; each kind of ZZ-brane deforms only one A-period of the surface. Finally, we use the annulus amplitudes to argue that the ZZ branes can be regarded as "wrong-branch" tachyons which violate the bound α<Q/2.

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David Kutasov, Kazumi Okuyama, Jongwon Park, Nathan Seiberg, David Shih. 2004-06-22. Annulus Amplitudes and ZZ Branes in Minimal String Theory. https://doi.org/10.1088/1126-6708%2F2004%2F08%2F026

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