What is the significance of SO(32) in string theory?

[lkwarren01]

I'm a layman trying to get a conceptual understanding of string theory. It's my understanding that SO(32) & E8 are used to compactify the 16 extra bosonic dimensions in heterotic theory, is that correct?

Also, it's my understanding that SO(32) is used in Type I for group symmetry. Does that have to do with SUSY transformation...or something else?
Thanks

 

[arivero]

I'm a layman trying to get a conceptual understanding of string theory. It's my understanding that SO(32) & E8 are used to compactify the 16 extra bosonic dimensions in heterotic theory, is that correct?

Also, it's my understanding that SO(32) is used in Type I for group symmetry. Does that have to do with SUSY transformation...or something else?
Thanks

In open strings, this 32 is related to 2^(D/2), with D=10. So it is related to the critical dimension of the superstring, but not directly to supersymmetry. It means that for D=26, you will look for SO(8192)