Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

W. Siegel

Publications and source records attributed to W. Siegel.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv1995

Curved Extended Superspace from Yang-Mills Theory a la Strings

The massless superfield content of four-dimensional compactifications of closed superstrings with extended (N=2, 3, or 4) supersymmetry is derived by multiplying two (N=0, 1, or 2) Yang-Mills multiplets. In some cases these superfields are known, and the low-energy actions are determined from the fact that the compensator (dilaton) supermultiplets occur quadratically classically. In the other cases these superfields suggest new formulations of extended superspace theories.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Subcritical Superstrings

We introduce the Liouville mode into the Green-Schwarz superstring. Like massive supersymmetry without central charges, there is no kappa symmetry. However, the second-class constraints (and corresponding Wess-Zumino term) remain, and can be solved by (twisted) chiral superspace in dimensions D=4 and 6. The matter conformal anomaly is c = 4-D < 1. It thus can be canceled for physical dimensions by the usual Liouville methods, unlike the bosonic string (for which the consistency condition is c = D <= 1).

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Super Yang-Mills Theory as a Random Matrix Model

We generalize the Gervais-Neveu gauge to four-dimensional N=1 superspace. The model describes an N=2 super Yang-Mills theory. All chiral superfields (N=2 matter and ghost multiplets) exactly cancel to all loops. The remaining hermitian scalar superfield (matrix) has a renormalizable massive propagator and simplified vertices. These properties are associated with N=1 supergraphs describing a superstring theory on a random lattice world-sheet. We also consider all possible finite matrix models, and find they have a universal large-color limit. These could describe gravitational strings if the matrix-model coupling is fixed to unity, for exact electric-magnetic self-duality.

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

Super Multi-Instantons in Conformal Chiral Superspace

We reformulate self-dual supersymmetric theories directly in conformal chiral superspace, where superconformal invariance is manifest. The superspace can be interpreted as the generalization of the usual Atiyah-Drinfel'd-Hitchin-Manin twistors (the quaternionic projective line), the real projective light-cone in six dimensions, or harmonic superspace, but can be reduced immediately to four-dimensional chiral superspace. As an example, we give the 't Hooft and ADHM multi-instanton constructions for self-dual super Yang-Mills theory. In both cases, all the parameters are represented as a single, irreducible, constant tensor.

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

Randomizing the Superstring

We find a simpler formulation of the Green-Schwarz action, for which the Wess-Zumino term is the square of supersymmetric currents, like the rest of the action. On a random lattice it gives Feynman diagrams of a particle superfield theory.

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Hidden Gravity in Open-String Field Theory

We clarify the nature of the graviton as a bound state in open-string field theory: The flat metric in the action appears as the vacuum value of an OPEN string field. The bound state appears as a composite field in the FREE field theory.

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Manifest Duality in Low-Energy Superstrings

String theories inspire a new formalism for their low-energy limits. In this approach to these field theories, spacetime duality and stringy left/right handedness are manifest. Enlarged tangent-space symmetries allow the different fields (graviton, axion, Yang-Mills) to be treated as a single multiplet, even in the bosonic case, except for the dilaton (multiplet), which appears as the measure. (Based on a talk given at Strings '93, May 24-29, Berkeley, CA. A section added after the talk discusses modifications for nonabelian Yang-Mills.)

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Superspace Duality in Low-Energy Superstrings

We extend spacetime duality to superspace, including fermions in the low-energy limits of superstrings. The tangent space is a curved, extended superspace. The geometry is based on an enlarged coordinate space where the vanishing of the d'Alembertian is as fundamental as the vanishing of the curl of a gradient.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

Green-Schwarz Formulation of Self-Dual Superstring

The self-dual superstring has been described previously in a Neveu-Schwarz-Ramond formulation with local N=2 or 4 world-sheet supersymmetry. We present a Green-Schwarz-type formulation, with manifest spacetime supersymmetry.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

Self-Dual N=8 Supergravity as Closed N=2(4) Strings

As open N=2 or 4 strings describe self-dual N=4 super Yang-Mills in 2+2 dimensions, the corresponding closed (heterotic) strings describe self-dual ungauged (gauged) N=8 supergravity. These theories are conveniently formulated in a chiral superspace with general supercoordinate and local OSp(8|2) gauge invariances. The super-light-cone and covariant-component actions are analyzed. Because only half the Lorentz group is gauged, the gravity field equation is just the vanishing of the torsion.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

The big picture

We discuss the conformal field theory and string field theory of the NSR superstring using a BRST operator with a nonminimal term, which allows all bosonic ghost modes to be paired into creation and annihilation operators. Vertex operators for the Neveu-Schwarz and Ramond sectors have the same ghost number, as do string fields. The kinetic and interaction terms are the same for Neveu-Schwarz as for Ramond string fields, so spacetime supersymmetry is closer to being manifest. The kinetic terms and supersymmetry don't mix levels, simplifying component analysis and gauge fixing.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

The N=2(4) string is self-dual N=4 Yang-Mills

N=2 string amplitudes, when required to have the Lorentz covariance of the equivalent N=4 string, describe a self-dual form of N=4 super Yang-Mills in 2+2 dimensions. Spin-independent couplings and the ghost nature of SO(2,2) spacetime make it a topological-like theory with vanishing loop corrections.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

The N=4 string is the same as the N=2 string

We redo the quantization of the N=4 string, taking into account the reducibility of the constraints. The result is equivalent to the N=2 string, with critical dimension D=4 and signature (++--). The N=4 formulation has several advantages: the sigma-model field equations are implied classically, rather than by quantum/beta-function calculations; self-duality/chirality is one of the super-Virasoro constraints; SO(2,2) covariance is manifest. This reveals that the theory includes fermions, and is apparently spacetime supersymmetric.

hep-th↗