How many N = 4 strings exist?

Research School of High-Energy Physics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

Possible ways of constructing new extended fermionic strings with non-linear N=4 world-sheet supersymmetry are considered. N=4 string theory constraints are required to form a quasi-superconformal algebra, and have conformal dimensions . The most general non-linear N=4 quasi-superconformal algebra is , whose linearization is the so-called 'large' N=4 superconformal algebra. The algebra has affine Lie component, and . We construct a quantum BRST charge for this algebra, and show that it is nilpotent only if . This restricts the previously proposed continuous -family of critical N=4 strings to only one theory based on the algebra which is isomorphic to the SO(4)-based Bershadsky - Knizhnik quasi-superconformal algebra. We propose the (non-covariant) Hamiltonian action for the new N=4 string theory. Our results imply the existence of two different critical N=4 fermionic string theories: the 'old' one based on the 'small' linear N=4 superconformal algebra and having the total ghost central charge , and the new one with the non-linearly realized N=4 supersymmetry, based on the SO(4) quasi-superconformal algebra and having . Both critical N=4 string theories have negative 'critical dimensions' and do not admit unitary matter representations.

Original language	English
Article number	004
Pages (from-to)	925-940
Number of pages	16
Journal	Classical and Quantum Gravity
Volume	12
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/12/4/004
Publication status	Published - 1995

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algebra

strings

string theory

supersymmetry

linearization

ghosts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Physics and Astronomy(all)

Cite this

Ketov, S. V. (1995). How many N = 4 strings exist? Classical and Quantum Gravity, 12(4), 925-940. [004]. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/12/4/004

How many N = 4 strings exist? / Ketov, Sergei V.

In: Classical and Quantum Gravity, Vol. 12, No. 4, 004, 1995, p. 925-940.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Ketov, SV 1995, 'How many N = 4 strings exist?', Classical and Quantum Gravity, vol. 12, no. 4, 004, pp. 925-940. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/12/4/004

Ketov SV. How many N = 4 strings exist? Classical and Quantum Gravity. 1995;12(4):925-940. 004. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/12/4/004

Ketov, Sergei V. / How many N = 4 strings exist?. In: Classical and Quantum Gravity. 1995 ; Vol. 12, No. 4. pp. 925-940.

@article{c90498ea124d4afbbe6cf80389b5fb25,

title = "How many N = 4 strings exist?",

abstract = "Possible ways of constructing new extended fermionic strings with non-linear N=4 world-sheet supersymmetry are considered. N=4 string theory constraints are required to form a quasi-superconformal algebra, and have conformal dimensions . The most general non-linear N=4 quasi-superconformal algebra is , whose linearization is the so-called 'large' N=4 superconformal algebra. The algebra has affine Lie component, and . We construct a quantum BRST charge for this algebra, and show that it is nilpotent only if . This restricts the previously proposed continuous -family of critical N=4 strings to only one theory based on the algebra which is isomorphic to the SO(4)-based Bershadsky - Knizhnik quasi-superconformal algebra. We propose the (non-covariant) Hamiltonian action for the new N=4 string theory. Our results imply the existence of two different critical N=4 fermionic string theories: the 'old' one based on the 'small' linear N=4 superconformal algebra and having the total ghost central charge , and the new one with the non-linearly realized N=4 supersymmetry, based on the SO(4) quasi-superconformal algebra and having . Both critical N=4 string theories have negative 'critical dimensions' and do not admit unitary matter representations.",

author = "Ketov, {Sergei V.}",

year = "1995",

doi = "10.1088/0264-9381/12/4/004",

language = "English",

volume = "12",

pages = "925--940",

journal = "Classical and Quantum Gravity",

issn = "0264-9381",