String number density - does it make sense?

[frank_k_sheldon@yahoo.co.uk]

On a blog I came across a strange question:

"Does it make sense to speak about the number of
strings found in a volume of space?"

Could anybody comment on this? I would be
interested if one has to imagine string theory
as filling all of space with strings Or branes),
or whether this is the wrong visualization.

Frank

[Moderator's note: one can construct the "number of strings" operator in a
perturbative treatment of string theory - much like you can talk about
the number of particles and/or the level of the harmonic oscillator.
However, both in quantum field theory and string theory, this quantum
number is a bit problematic. It is certainly not conserved. In QFT, it
depends on the energy scale at which you understand the system - because
with a high enough scale, you find very many gluons inside the proton,
to say an example. The "number of particles" behaves strangely when
you include interactions. The latter statement is also true in string
theory. The real physical objects at nonzero coupling are not just the
"bare 1 string" that you know from g=0. LM]

 

[frank_k_sheldon@yahoo.co.uk]

frank_k_sheldon@yahoo.co.uk wrote:

> On a blog I came across a strange question:
>
> "Does it make sense to speak about the number of
> strings found in a volume of space?"

> [Moderator's note: one can construct the "number of strings" operator in a
> perturbative treatment of string theory - much like you can talk about
> the number of particles and/or the level of the harmonic oscillator.
> However, both in quantum field theory and string theory, this quantum
> number is a bit problematic. It is certainly not conserved. In QFT, it
> depends on the energy scale at which you understand the system - because
> with a high enough scale, you find very many gluons inside the proton,
> to say an example. The "number of particles" behaves strangely when
> you include interactions. The latter statement is also true in string
> theory. The real physical objects at nonzero coupling are not just the
> "bare 1 string" that you know from g=0. LM]

I was always looking for answers to the comment, but saw the
moderator's note only today.

To continue on the QCD analogy, the number of strings would
thus depend on the energy. I suppose this also correct for empty space.
Thus the number of strings in empty
space will depend on the energy. (Correct?)
If this is so, can we give numbers?
I suppose that at 10^19 GeV (Planck energy), the number is maybe one
string per mm^3 (or probably one string for any volume whatsoever),
whereas at 1 eV it is very high. Is this correct?
And if so, can one give an estimate for the number of strings at 1eV
in flat empty space? (Or does one need to specify some other
condition?)

That is really an interesting issue!

Frank

 

[Entropia]

I can offer some insight into this question. First, let's define what is meant by "string number density." In physics, number density refers to the number of particles (or objects) per unit volume. So, in this context, string number density would refer to the number of strings per unit volume of space.

Now, to address the question at hand - does it make sense to speak about the number of strings in a volume of space? The short answer is yes, it does make sense. In string theory, the fundamental building blocks of the universe are strings, which are thought to be incredibly small and compact. These strings vibrate at different frequencies, giving rise to the different particles we observe in the universe.

So, in a sense, we can think of the universe as being filled with an infinite number of strings. However, it is important to note that string theory is a mathematical framework and not a physical theory that has been experimentally confirmed. Therefore, we cannot say with certainty that strings actually exist and fill all of space.

Additionally, as mentioned in the moderator's note, the concept of number density is problematic in both quantum field theory and string theory. This is because, at a certain scale, the "number" of particles or strings becomes undefined due to the effects of interactions and energy scales.

In conclusion, while it may make sense to speak about the number of strings in a volume of space, it is important to keep in mind the limitations and uncertainties of string theory as a theoretical framework. As with any scientific theory, it is constantly evolving and subject to further study and experimentation.