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I. Bakas

Publications and source records attributed to I. Bakas.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv1996

Solitons of axion-dilaton gravity

We use soliton techniques of the two-dimensional reduced beta-function equations to obtain non-trivial string backgrounds from flat space. These solutions are characterized by two integers (n, m) referring to the soliton numbers of the metric and axion-dilaton sectors respectively. We show that the Nappi-Witten universe associated with the SL(2) x SU(2) / SO(1, 1) x U(1) CFT coset arises as an (1, 1) soliton in this fashion for certain values of the moduli parameters, while for other values of the soliton moduli we arrive at the SL(2)/SO(1, 1) x SO(1, 1)^2 background. Ordinary 4-dim black-holes arise as 2-dim (2, 0) solitons, while the Euclidean worm-hole background is described as a (0, 2) soliton on flat space. The soliton transformations correspond to specific elements of the string Geroch group. These could be used as starting point for exploring the role of U-dualities in string compactifications to two dimensions.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

String effects and field theory puzzles with supersymmetry

We investigate field theory puzzles occuring in the interplay between supersymmetry and duality in the presense of rotational isometries (also known as non-triholomorphic in hyper-Kahler geometry). We show that T-duality is always compatible with supersymmetry, provided that non-local world-sheet effects are properly taken into account. The underlying superconformal algebra remains the same, and T-duality simply relates local with non-local realizations of it. The non-local realizations have a natural description using parafermion variables of the corresponding conformal field theory. We also comment on the relevance of these ideas to a possible resolution of long standing problems in the quantum theory of black holes.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Toda Fields of SO(3) Hyper-Kahler Metrics

We examine the Toda frame formulation of the SO(3)-invariant hyper-Kahler 4-metrics, namely Eguchi-Hanson, Taub-NUT and Atiyah-Hitchin. Our method exploits the presence of a rotational SO(2) isometry, leading to the explicit construction of all three complex structures as a singlet plus a doublet. The Atiyah-Hitchin metric on the moduli space of BPS SU(2) monopoles with magnetic charge 2 is purely rotational.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Lagrangian Formulation of Symmetric Space sine-Gordon Models

The symmetric space sine-Gordon models arise by conformal reduction of ordinary 2-dim $σ$-models, and they are integrable exhibiting a black-hole type metric in target space. We provide a Lagrangian formulation of these systems by considering a triplet of Lie groups $F \supset G \supset H$. We show that for every symmetric space $F/G$, the generalized sine-Gordon models can be derived from the $G/H$ WZW action, plus a potential term that is algebraically specified. Thus, the symmetric space sine-Gordon models describe certain integrable perturbations of coset conformal field theories at the classical level. We also briefly discuss their vacuum structure, Backlund transformations, and soliton solutions.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

T-duality and spacetime supersymmetry

We analyze in detail the possible breaking of spacetime supersymmetry under T-duality transformations. We find that when appropiate world-sheet effects are taken into account apparent puzzles concerning supersymmetry in spacetime are solved. We study T-duality in general heterotic $σ$-models analyzing possible anomalies, and we find some modifications of Buscher's rules. We then work out a simple but representative example which contains most of the difficulties. We also consider the issue of supersymmetry versus duality for marginal deformations of WZW models and present a mechanism that restores supersymmetry dynamically in the effective theory.

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arXiv1995

Supersymmetry and Dualities

Duality transformations with respect to rotational isometries relate supersymmetric with non-supersymmetric backgrounds in string theory. We find that non-local world-sheet effects have to be taken into account in order to restore supersymmetry at the string level. The underlying superconformal algebra remains the same, but in this case T-duality relates local with non-local realizations of the algebra in terms of parafermions. This is another example where stringy effects resolve paradoxes of the effective field theory. (Contribution to the proceedings of the Trieste conference on S-Duality and Mirror Symmetry; to appear in Nucl Phys B Proc Suppl)

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

T-duality and world-sheet supersymmetry

Four-dimensional string backgrounds with local realizations of N = 4 world-sheet supersymmetry have, in the presence of a rotational Killing symmetry, only one complex structure which is an SO(2) singlet, while the other two form an SO(2) doublet. Although N = 2 world-sheet supersymmetry is always preserved under Abelian T-duality transformations, N = 4 breaks down to N = 2 in the rotational case. A non-local realization of N = 4 supersymmetry emerges, instead, with world-sheet parafermions. For SO(3)-invariant metrics of purely rotational type, like the Taub-NUT and the Atiyah-Hitchin metrics, none of the locally realized extended world-sheet supersymmetries can be preserved under non-Abelian duality.

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

O(2,2) Transformations and the String Geroch Group

The 1--loop string background equations with axion and dilaton fields are shown to be integrable in four dimensions in the presence of two commuting Killing symmetries and $δc = 0$. Then, in analogy with reduced gravity, there is an infinite group that acts on the space of solutions and generates non--trivial string backgrounds from flat space. The usual $O(2,2)$ and $S$--duality transformations are just special cases of the string Geroch group, which is infinitesimally identified with the $O(2,2)$ current algebra. We also find an additional $Z_{2}$ symmetry interchanging the field content of the dimensionally reduced string equations. The method for constructing multi--soliton solutions on a given string background is briefly discussed.

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arXiv1993

W-Infinity Symmetry of the Nambu-Goto String in 4 Dimensions

We consider a bosonic string propagating in 4--dim Minkowski space. We show that in the orthonormal gauge the classical system exhibits a hidden $W_{\infty}$ chiral symmetry, arising from the equivalence of its transverse modes with the $SU(2)/U(1)$ coset model defined on the string world--sheet. Generalizations to other string backgrounds are proposed. We also define a Liouville--like transformation that maps solutions of the $SU(2)/U(1)$ coset model into the solution space of two decoupled Liouville theories. Inverting this transformation, however, remains an open problem.

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Conservation Laws and Geometry of Perturbed Coset Models

We present a Lagrangian description of the $SU(2)/U(1)$ coset model perturbed by its first thermal operator. This is the simplest perturbation that changes sign under Krammers--Wannier duality. The resulting theory, which is a 2--component generalization of the sine--Gordon model, is then taken in Minkowski space. For negative values of the coupling constant $g$, it is classically equivalent to the $O(4)$ non--linear $\s$--model reduced in a certain frame. For $g > 0$, it describes the relativistic motion of vortices in a constant external field. Viewing the classical equations of motion as a zero curvature condition, we obtain recursive relations for the infinitely many conservation laws by the abelianization method of gauge connections. The higher spin currents are constructed entirely using an off--critical generalization of the $W_{\infty}$ generators. We give a geometric interpretation to the corresponding charges in terms of embeddings. Applications to the chirally invariant $U(2)$ Gross--Neveu model are also discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv1991

Beyond the Large N Limit: Non-linear W(infinity) as symmetry of the SL(2,R)/U(1) coset model

We show that the symmetry algebra of the $SL(2,R)_{k}/U(1)$ coset model is a non-linear deformation of $W_{\infty}$, characterized by $k$. This is a universal $W$-algebra which linearizes in the large $k$ limit and truncates to $W_{N}$ for $k=-N$. Using the theory of non-compact parafermions we construct a free field realization of the non-linear $W_{\infty}$ in terms of two bosons with background charge. The $W$-characters of all unitary $SL(2,R)/U(1)$ representations are computed. Applications to the physics of 2-d black hole backgrounds are also discussed and connections with the KP approach to $c=1$ string theory are outlined.

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