Physics – High Energy Physics – High Energy Physics - Theory
Scientific paper
2004-08-10
Physics
High Energy Physics
High Energy Physics - Theory
13 pages, harvmac
Scientific paper
Unstable, non-BPS D-branes in weakly coupled ten dimensional string theory have many mysterious properties. Among other things, it is not clear what sets their tension, what is their relation to the better understood BPS D-branes, and why the open string tachyon on them is described by an effective Lagrangian which suggests that the tachyon corresponds to an extra spatial dimension transverse to the branes. We point out that the dynamics of D-branes in the presence of Neveu-Schwarz fivebranes on a transverse R^3 times S^1 provides a useful toy model for studying these issues. From the point of view of a 5+1 dimensional observer living on the fivebranes, BPS D-branes in ten dimensions give rise to two kinds of D-branes, which are BPS or non-BPS depending on whether they do or do not wrap the S^1. Their tensions are related, since from a higher dimensional perspective, they are the same objects. D-branes localized on the S^1 have a tachyon corresponding to their position on the circle. This field is described by the same Lagrangian as that of a tachyon on a non-BPS D-brane in ten dimensions. Its geometrical interpretation is useful for clarifying the properties of non-BPS branes in six dimensions. If the lessons from the six dimensional system can be applied in ten dimensions, the existence of non-BPS D-branes seems to suggest the presence of at least one extra dimension in critical type II string theory.
No associations
LandOfFree
A Geometric Interpretation of the Open String Tachyon does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A Geometric Interpretation of the Open String Tachyon, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Geometric Interpretation of the Open String Tachyon will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-689594