arXiv subjects

B. Sathiapalan

Publications and source records attributed to B. Sathiapalan.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv1995

Loop Variables and Gauge Invariant Interactions of Massive Modes in String Theory

The loop variable approach used earlier to obtain free equations of motion for the massive modes of the open string, is generalized to include interaction terms. These terms, which are polynomial, involve only modes of strictly lower mass. Considerations based on operator product expansions suggest that these equations are particular truncations of the full string equations. The method involves broadening the loop to a band of finite thickness that describes all the different interacting strings. Interestingly, in terms of these variables, the theory appears non-interacting.

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arXiv1995

The Proper Time Equation and the Zamolodchikov Metric

The connection between the proper time equation and the Zamolodchikov metric is discussed. The connection is two-fold: First, as already known, the proper time equation is the product of the Zamolodchikov metric and the renormalization group beta function. Second, the condition that the two-point function is the Zamolodchikov metric, implies the proper time equation. We study the massless vector of the open string in detail. In the exactly calculable case of a uniform electromgnetic field strength we recover the Born-Infeld equation. We describe the systematics of the perturbative evaluation of the gauge invariant proper time equation for the massless vector field. The method is valid for non-uniform fields and gives results that are exact to all orders in derivatives. As a non trivial check, we show that in the limit of uniform fields it reproduces the lowest order Born-Infeld equation.

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arXiv1995

On Covariant Derivatives and Gauge Invariance in the Proper Time Formalism for String Theory

It is shown that the idea of ``minimal'' coupling to gauge fields can be conveniently implemented in the proper time formalism by identifying the equivalent of a ``covariant derivative''. This captures some of the geometric notion of the gauge field as a connection. The proper time equation is also generalized so that the gauge invariances associated with higher spin massive modes can be made manifest, at the free level, using loop variables. Some explicit examples are worked out illustrating these ideas.

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arXiv1995

Chern-Simons Duality and the Quantum Hall Effect

In previous work on the quantum Hall effect on an annulus, we used $O(d,d;{\bf Z})$ duality transformations on the action describing edge excitations to generate the Haldane hierarchy of Hall conductivities. Here we generate the corresponding hierarchy of ``bulk actions'' which are associated with Chern-Simons (CS) theories, the connection between the bulk and edge arising from the requirement of anomaly cancellation. We also find a duality transformation for the CS theory exactly analogous to the $R\rightarrow \frac{1}{R}$ duality of the scalar field theory at the edge.

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arXiv1995

On Factorizing Correlation Functions in String Theory Using Loop Variables

Factorization of string amplitudes is one way of constructing string interaction vertices. We show that correlation functions in string theory can be conveniently factorized using loop variables representing delta functionals. We illustrate this construction with some examples where one particle is off-shell. These vertices are ``correct'' in the sense that they are guaranteed, by construction, to reproduce S-matrix elements when combined with propagators in a well defined way.

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arXiv1995

A Comparison of the Proper Time Equation and the Renormalization Group $β$-Function in String Theory

It is known that there is a proportionality factor relating the $β$-function and the equations of motion viz. the Zamolodchikov metric. Usually this factor has to be obtained by other methods. The proper time equation, on the other hand, is the full equation of motion. We explain the reasons for this and illustrate it by calculating corrections to Maxwell's equation. The corrections are calculated to cubic order in the field strength, but are exact to all orders in derivatives. We also test the gauge covariance of the proper time method by calculating higher (covariant) derivative corrections to the Yang-Mills equation.

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arXiv1995

Proper Time Formalism, Gauge Invariance and the Effects of a Finite World Sheet Cutoff in String Theory

We discuss the issue of going off-shell in the proper time formalism. This is done by keeping a finite world sheet cutoff. We construct one example of an off-shell covariant Klein Gordon type interaction. For a suitable choice of the gauge transformation of the scalar field, gauge invariance is maintained off mass shell. However at second order in the gauge field interaction, one finds that (U(1)) gauge invariance is violated due to the finite cutoff. Interestingly, we find, to lowest order, that by adding a massive mode with appropriate gauge transformation laws to the sigma model background, one can restore gauge invariance. The gauge transformation law is found to be consistent, to the order calculated, with what one expects from the interacting equation of motion of the massive field. We also extend some previous discussion on applying the proper time formalism for propagating gauge particles, to the interacting (i.e. Yang Mills) case.

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arXiv1994

Duality and the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect

The edge states of a sample displaying the quantum Hall effect (QHE) can be described by a 1+1 dimensional (conformal) field theory of $d$ massless scalar fields taking values on a $d$-dimensional torus. It is known from the work of Naculich, Frohlich et al.\@ and others that the requirement of chirality of currents in this \underline{scalar} field theory implies the Schwinger anomaly in the presence of an electric field, the anomaly coefficient being related in a specific way to Hall conducvivity. The latter can take only certain restricted values with odd denominators if the theory admits fermionic states. We show that the duality symmetry under the $O(d,d;{\bf Z})$ group of the free theory transforms the Hall conductivity in a well-defined way and relates integer and fractional QHE's. This means, in particular, that the edge spectra for dually related Hall conductivities are identical, a prediction which may be experimentally testable. We also show that Haldane's hierarchy as well as certain of Jain's fractions can be reproduced from the Laughlin fractions using the duality transformations. We thus find a framework for a unified description of the QHE's occurring at different fractions. We also give a derivation of the wave functions for fractions in Haldane's hierarchy.

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arXiv1993

Proper Time Formalism and Gauge Invariance in Open String Interactions

The issue of gauge invariances in the sigma model formalism is discussed at the free and interacting level. The problem of deriving gauge invariant interacting equations can be addressed using the proper time formalism. This formalism is discussed, both for point particles and strings. The covariant Klein Gordon equation arises in a geometric way from the boundary terms. This formalism is similar to the background independent open string formalism introduced by Witten.

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arXiv1993

Some Issues In The Loop Variable Approach to Open Strings and an Extension to Closed Strings

Some issues in the loop variable renormalization group approach to gauge invariant equations for the free fields of the open string are discussed. It had been shown in an earlier paper that this leads to a simple form of the gauge transformation law. We discuss in some detail some of the curious features encountered there. The theory looks a little like a massless theory in one higher dimension that can be dimensionally reduced to give a massive theory. We discuss the origin of some constraints that are needed for gauge invariance and also for reducing the set of fields to that of standard string theory. The mechanism of gauge invariance and the connection with the Virasoro algebra is a little different from the usual story and is discussed. It is also shown that these results can be extended in a straightforward manner to closed strings.

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arXiv1992

Loop Variables and the Virasoro Group

We derive an expression in closed form for the action of a finite element of the Virasoro Group on generalized vertex operators. This complements earlier results giving an algorithm to compute the action of a finite string of generators of the Virasoro Algebra on generalized vertex operators. The main new idea is to use a first order formalism to represent the infinitesimal group element as a loop variable. To obtain a finite group element it is necessary to thicken the loop to a band of finite thickness. This technique makes the calculation very simple.

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