What is the Tachyon Vacuum in String Field Theory?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the tachyon vacuum in string field theory, particularly its role in vacuum string field theory (VSFT) and its relation to open string field theory (OSFT). Participants explore definitions, implications, and historical context without reaching a consensus on certain aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants define tachyons as faster-than-light particles and the vacuum as a region devoid of forces, although this definition is challenged.
  • One participant asserts that the tachyon vacuum is a background scenario for formulating vacuum string field theory, which is a reformulation of open string field theory.
  • A later reply questions the similarities between the tachyon vacuum and the concept of ether, seeking clarification on the background in open string field theory.
  • Another participant provides a reference to a paper that discusses the tachyon vacuum and its implications in string field theory, suggesting it may contain answers to earlier questions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and implications of the tachyon vacuum, with some uncertainty about its relationship to ether and the background in OSFT. No consensus is reached on these points.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the definitions of terms like "tachyon vacuum" and "ether," as well as unresolved questions regarding the background in open string field theory.

MathematicalPhysicist
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what is it?
(i know that the one of experts in this field is Barton Zwiebach from mit).
 
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well, I am not sure either. But I'll take a shot.

Tachyon- faster than light particle

vacuum- a region with no forces to act upon an object.

It may be some type of device for detecting tachyons. Your best bet would be putting "tachyon vacuum" in a google search.

Paden Roder
 
Good try, Paden, but this is not correct. The tachyon vacuum is the background scenario where is formulated Vacuum String field theory. VSFT is a reformulation of open string field theory
 
Originally posted by meteor
Good try, Paden, but this is not correct. The tachyon vacuum is the background scenario where is formulated Vacuum String field theory. VSFT is a reformulation of open string field theory

does the idea have similiraties to the idea of ether (besides that both of them are proposed background)?
and what was the background in OSFT?
 
don't know the answer to your questions, but you have to know that vacuum string field theory was introduced in this paper:
http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0012251

"String field theory around the tachyon vacuum"
Abstract:"Assuming that around the tachyon vacuum the kinetic term of cubic open string field theory is made purely of ghost operators we are led to gauge invariant actions which manifestly implement the absence of open string dynamics around this vacuum. We test this proposal by showing the existence of lump solutions of arbitrary codimension in this string field theory. The key ingredients in this analysis are certain assumptions about the analyticity properties of tachyon Green's functions. With the help of some further assumptions about the properties of these Green's functions, we also calculate the ratios of tensions of lump solutions of different dimensions. The result is in perfect agreement with the known answers for the ratios of tensions of D-branes of different dimensions."

Perhaps you can find there the answers
 
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