String perturbation equations from Polyakov action

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the derivation of string perturbation equations from the Polyakov action, as presented by A. Larsen and V. Frolov in their 1993 paper (arXiv:hep-th/9303001v1). The Polyakov action is defined as $$ S = \int d \tau d\sigma \sqrt{-h} h^{AB} G_{AB}$$, where the internal metric ##h_{AB}## and the induced metric ##G_{AB}## are crucial for deriving the equations of motion. The second variation of the action, which leads to perturbation equations, is derived through specific assumptions about the string configuration and the introduction of normal vectors and forms. The discussion highlights the complexities involved in obtaining the second variation and the challenges faced by the participants in replicating the results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Polyakov action in string theory
  • Familiarity with the concepts of induced metrics and variations in calculus of variations
  • Knowledge of spacetime covariant derivatives and Riemann curvature tensor
  • Basic grasp of perturbation theory in theoretical physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Polyakov action and its implications in string theory
  • Learn about the calculus of variations and its application in deriving equations of motion
  • Explore the role of the Riemann curvature tensor in string perturbation theory
  • Investigate the second fundamental form and its significance in the context of string world-sheets
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in string theory, as well as graduate students and researchers interested in advanced topics related to perturbation theory and the mathematical foundations of string dynamics.

Tursinbay
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
General physical perturbations of string is derived by A.Larsen and V.Frolov (arXiv:hep-th/9303001v1 1March 1993).

An arbitrary string configuration is in 4-dimensional gravitational background. Starting point is Polyakov action

$$ S = \int d \tau d\sigma \sqrt {-h} h^{AB} G_{AB}$$.

Here is ##h_{AB}## is internal metric with determinant ##h##. ##G_{AB}## is the induced metric on the world-sheet:

$$G_{AB}=g_{ \mu \nu} \frac {\partial x^{\mu}} {\partial \xi^A} \frac {\partial x^{\nu}} {\partial \xi^B} = g_{ \mu \nu} x^{\mu}_{,A} x^{\nu}_{,B}$$

Internal metric is two dimensional metric of world-sheet coordinates ##\xi^A## (A=0,1), ## (\xi^0, \xi^1)=(\tau, \sigma) ##. ##x^{\mu} (\mu=0,1,2,3) ## are the spacetime coordinates.

Variations of the action with respect to ## \delta x^{\mu} ## and ## \delta h_{AB} ## is

$$ \delta S = \int d \tau d \sigma \sqrt {-h} \left( [ \frac 1 2 h^{AB} G^C_{ C} - G^{AB}] \delta h_{AB} - 2g_{\mu \nu} [\Box x^{\nu} + h^{AB} \Gamma^{\nu}_{ \rho \sigma} x^{\rho}_{,A}x^{\sigma}_{,B}] \delta x^{\mu} \right)$$

Here ##G^C_{ C}=h^{BC}G_{BC}## is the trace of induced metric on the world-sheet and ##\Box ## is the d'Alambertian:

$$ \Box = \frac {1} {\sqrt{-h}} \partial_A(\sqrt{-h} h^{AB} \partial_B). $$

From ## \delta S## is derived the equations of motion as usual
$$\frac 1 2 h^{AB} G^C_{ C} - G^{AB}=0$$
$$\Box x^{\nu} + h^{AB} \Gamma^{\nu}_{ \rho \sigma} x^{\rho}_{,A}x^{\sigma}_{,B}=0. $$
I got the first variations exactly as in paper (but with plus sign between the variations ## \delta h_{AB}## and ## \delta x^{\mu}##). But, equations of perturbations are obtained from the second variations of action and the problem starts here.

One more variation from the first variation is taken. And before doing this is done the following assumptions.

1. ## x^{\mu}=x^{\mu}(\xi^A)## is the solution of the equations of motion.
2. Introduced 2 vectors ##n^{\mu}_R (R=2,3)## normal to the surface of the string world-sheet:
$$ g_{\mu \nu} n^{\mu}_R n^{\nu}_S=\delta_{RS}, \\ g_{\mu \nu}x^{\mu}_{,A} n^{\nu}_R =0. $$
3. The general perturbation ## \delta x^{\mu}## can be composed as: $$\delta x^{\mu}=\delta x^R n^{\mu}_R+\delta x^A x^{\mu}_{,A} $$
The variations ##\delta x^A x^{\mu}_{,A} ## leave S (action) unchanced. For this reason only physical perturbations are considered. So it can be written as: $$\delta x^{\mu}=\delta x^R n^{\mu}_R$$
4. Intoduced the second fundamental form ##\Omega_{R,AB} ## and the normal fundamental form ##\mu_{R,SA} ## which defined for a given configuration of the strings world-sheet:
$$ \Omega_{R,AB}=g_{\mu \nu}n^{\mu}_R x^{\rho}_{,A } \nabla_{\rho}x^{\nu}_{,B}$$
$$ \mu_{RS,A}=g_{\mu \nu}n^{\mu}_R x^{\rho}_{,A } \nabla_{\rho}n^{\nu}_S$$
where ##\nabla_{\rho}## is the spacetime covariant derivative.
5. $$ \delta G_{AB}= -2\Omega_{R,AB} \delta x^R $$

And finally the second variation is found in the following form:
$$ \delta^2 S=\int d\tau d\sigma \sqrt {-h} ( \delta h_{AB}[2G^{BC} h^{AD} - \frac {1} {2} h^{AD}h^{BC} G^E_{ E} - \frac {1} {2} h^{AB} G^{CD} ]\delta h_{CD} + 4\delta h_{AB} h^{AC}h^{BD} \Omega_{R,CD} \delta x^R \\ -2\delta x^R[\delta_{RS} \Box - h^{AB} g_{\mu \nu} (x^{\rho}_{,A} \nabla_{\rho} n^{\mu}_R)(x^{\sigma}_{,B}\nabla_{\sigma}n^{\nu}_S)-2h^{AB} \mu_{RS,A} \partial_B - h^{AB}x^{\mu}_{,A}x^{\nu}_{,B} R_{\mu \rho \sigma \nu} n^{\rho}_R n^{\sigma}_S]\delta x^S)$$

where ## R_{\mu \rho \sigma \nu}## is the Riemann curvature tensor in the spacetime in which the string is embedded.

My question is how the second variation is obtained? I have calculated several times. But no there is no the same result.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Moderator's note: Thread moved to Beyond the Standard Model forum.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
990
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
908