Strings, Virasoro Operators & constraints, mass of state

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of Virasoro operators in string theory, specifically focusing on the calculations involving the L0 and L1 operators. The user successfully derived the equation 1 + A - 2B = 0 using the L1 operator but encountered difficulties with L0, leading to an incorrect mass squared result of m² = 3/α' instead of the expected m² = 1/α'. The user seeks assistance in resolving the discrepancies in their calculations related to the mass of the state.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of string theory concepts, particularly Virasoro operators.
  • Familiarity with the Minkowski metric and its application in quantum field theory.
  • Knowledge of operator algebra in the context of quantum mechanics.
  • Proficiency in manipulating equations involving commutation relations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of the L0 operator in string theory to clarify the mass calculation.
  • Study the implications of the Virasoro constraints on physical states in string theory.
  • Explore the relationship between the mass squared and the parameters A and B in the context of string states.
  • Investigate the role of the Minkowski metric in the calculations involving string theory operators.
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This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, string theorists, and graduate students studying quantum field theory, particularly those interested in the mathematical foundations of string theory and the implications of Virasoro operators.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement


Question:

(With the following definitions here:
vira.png


- Consider ##L_0|x>=0## to show that ##m^2=\frac{1}{\alpha'}##
- Consider ##L_1|x>=0 ## to conclude that ## 1+A-2B=0##- where ##d## is the dimension of the space ##d=\eta^{uv}\eta_{uv}##

For the L1 operator I am able to get the correct expression of ##1+A-2B=0##
I am struggling with L0

Any help much appreciated.

Homework Equations



##\alpha^u_0={p^u}\sqrt{2 \alpha'}##

##\alpha_{n>0}## annihilate

##\alpha_{n<0}## create

## [\alpha_n^u, \alpha_m^v]=n\delta_{n+m}\eta^{uv}## (*)

where ##\eta^{uv}## is the Minkowski metric

##p^u|k>=k^u|k>##

The Attempt at a Solution



Here is my L0 attempt:

##L_0=(\alpha_0^2+2\sum\limits_{n=1}\alpha_{-n}\alpha_{n}-1)##

So first of all looking at the first term of ##|x>## I need to consider:

##L_0 \alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k> =(\alpha_0^2+2\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{1}-1)\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}##

Considering the four product operator and using the commutators in the same way as done for ##L_1## I get from this:

##L_0\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k> =(\alpha_0^2+4-1)\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k>## (**)

Here's how I got it:(dropped indices in places, but just to give idea, ##\eta^{uv}## the minkowksi metric)
##2\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{1}\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1} |k>
= 2(\alpha_{-1}(\alpha_{-1}\alpha_1+\eta)\alpha_{-1})|k>
= 2(\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}\alpha_1\alpha_{-1}+\eta\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1})|k>
= 2(\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}(\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{1}+\eta)+\eta\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1})|k>
=2(\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}(0+\eta|k>)+\eta\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k>)
= 2(2\alpha_{-1}.\alpha_{-1})##


so from (**) I have:

##L_0\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k> =(\alpha_0^2+3)\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k>=0##
##=(2\alpha'p^2+3)\alpha_{-1}\alpha_{-1}|k>=0##
##\implies 2\alpha'p^2+3=0##
## \implies 2(-m^2)\alpha'=-3##

So I get ## m^{2}=3/\alpha'## and not ##1/\alpha'## :(

Any help much appreciated ( I see the mass is independent of ##A## and ##B## so I thought I'd deal with the first term before confusing my self to see why these terms vanish)Many thanks in advance
 
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