What Happens If You Stop a Superstring's Vibration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of stopping a superstring's vibration within the context of string theory. Participants explore theoretical concepts related to the existence and properties of superstrings, including their vibrational states and mass characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what would happen if a superstring were held still, suggesting it might cease to exist.
  • Another participant argues that string theory allows for massless nonvibrating strings, challenging the notion that vibration is essential for existence.
  • A different participant expresses confusion over the claim that nonvibrating strings can exist, questioning how a string without properties could be said to exist.
  • Further technical details are provided regarding the relationship between string mass, vibrational modes, and properties like charge and spin, indicating that some states in string theory do not rely on vibration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of vibration for the existence of superstrings, with some asserting that nonvibrating strings can exist while others contest this idea. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of stopping a superstring's vibration.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of existence and properties in string theory, as well as the implications of massless and nonvibrating states. The relationship between vibrational modes and physical properties is not fully clarified.

computergeek6933
Hello, this is my first post on the forum. I have merely one quetsion... if one were to "hold" a superstring, that is, to prevent it from vibrating, what would happen?
 
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I believe it would cease to exist. AIUI, superstrings are made of nothing other than their own vibration. At least, that's the most popular theory ATM.

EDIT: Welcome to the Forums!
 
Originally posted by LURCH
I believe it would cease to exist.

String theory allows massless nonvibrating strings.
 
Originally posted by jeff
String theory allows massless nonvibrating strings.

I have never heard that before. Not to hijack the Topic, but now I simply must know more.

I thought string theory proposed that all of the properties that constitute "existence" i.e. mass, charge, spin, et al were caused by the vibration. If a superstring is not vibrating it ceases to have any properties, does it not? If it has no properties, how can it be said to exist?
 
String mass and transformation properties under spacetime supersymmetry (i.e. "spin") have a dependence on vibrational degrees of freedom while yang-mills charges don't, they simply sit at the ends of open strings.

The ground states of the R-sector (Ramond sector) of the unoriented type I open plus closed superstring theory, and the R-R sector in the type IIA and IIB superstring theories are massless string states that include no vibrational modes.

There are also nonvibrating tachyonic states.
 
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