Orbb
Jan24-09, 06:50 AM
In a recent lecture on bosonic string theory, we calculated the Virasoro operators, especially the zero mode, encountering the divergent sum 1+2+3+...., which is then set equal to a finite constant. The argument for doing so was comparing the sum with the definition of the Zeta-function. However, i still have trouble understanding this reasoning for neglecting the divergence. Are there any further justifications for taking this step? Thank you for your answers.