Scribd
Upload
39 views6 pages

Lec 18

1) The lecture discusses open string theory and properties of the Heisenberg operators X I (τ, σ), PτJ (τ, σ), including their commutation relations. 2) Expressions are derived for the left- and right-moving modes of the open string X I (τ, σ) in terms of creation and annihilation operators. 3) It is shown that the Hamiltonian H equals the zero mode of the transverse momentum operator L⊥ 0 only if the dimension D of spacetime is 26. This resolves the issue of having physical states without mass.

Uploaded by

Utkarsh Verma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
39 views6 pages

Lec 18

1) The lecture discusses open string theory and properties of the Heisenberg operators X I (τ, σ), PτJ (τ, σ), including their commutation relations. 2) Expressions are derived for the left- and right-moving modes of the open string X I (τ, σ) in terms of creation and annihilation operators. 3) It is shown that the Hamiltonian H equals the zero mode of the transverse momentum operator L⊥ 0 only if the dimension D of spacetime is 26. This resolves the issue of having physical states without mass.

Uploaded by

Utkarsh Verma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Lecture 18

8.251 Spring 2007

Lecture 18 - Topics
Open Strings

Still for open string:

I
+

Heisenberg operators: X I (, ), x
0 , P (), p

[X I (), P J (, )] = i IJ ( )
+
[x
0 , p ] = i

= 2 p+ +

X +

2 p+ p

=H

Hamiltonian, H

p =

d(P =

1 X
)
2

H = 2 p+ p = L+
0 from analysis of classical string
Are we sure H = 2 p+ p ? After all, p is the product of lots of operators,
which can be ill-dened. Must be careful in our quantum case.
I X I = 0
X

X I (, ) = xI0 +

2 0I + i 2
I cos(n)ein
n n
n=0

PJ =

(X I + X I )(, ) =

1 xJ
2

2
nI e(in( +))
nZ

[0, ]

(1)

Lecture 18

8.251 Spring 2007

(X I X I )(, ) =

2
nI e(in( ))

[0, ]

(2)

nZ

This is an important computation. Later, we will do this for closed strings too,
and well see very similar (though not same).

Best way to select Fourier modes is in [0, 2] but [0, ].

(X I X I )(, ) =

nI e(in( +))

(2)

nZ

This makes sense when [, 0].

AI (, ) =

nI e(in( +))

[, ]

nZ

(X I + X I )(, )
(X I X I )

[0, ]
[, 0]

Now have dened over [, ].


[X I (, ), X I (, )] = 2 i IJ ( )
[X I (, ), X J (, )] = 0

[X I (, ), X J (, )] = 0

Xs commute at dierent s so can then dierentiate.

[(X I X I )(, ), (X J X J )(, )] = [(X I X I )(, ), (X J X J )(, )]


d
= 4 i IJ ( )
d

Lecture 18

8.251 Spring 2007

[AI (, ), AJ (, )] = 2

I
J
e(im ( +)) e(in ( + )) [m
, n ]

m ,n

IJ d

, [0, ]
4 i d ( )
IJ d

4 i d ( ) = 0
[0, ], [, 0]
=

d
IJ

IJ d

4 i d() ( ) = 4 i d() ( ) , [, 0]

I
J
IJ
e(im ( +)) e(in ( + )) [m
, n ] = 2i

m ,n

d
( )
d

Apply the following integral operations:


1
2

(im)

de

d e(in)

Divide by e(i(m+n) ) on both sides:

I
[m
, nI ] = n IJ m+n,0 e(i(m+n) )
I
[m
, nI ] = mm+n,0 IJ

Commutation relation proved in book:

[xI0 , pJ ] = i IJ
Note:

0I =

2 pI

I
[m
, nI ] = m IJ m,n

n = an n
n>0

, [, ]

Lecture 18

8.251 Spring 2007

n
= a+
n = (+n
)+
n

n<0

Opposite signs for m and n

[aIm , aJn ] = 0
J+
[aI+
m , an ] = 0

m > 0,n > 0:

[aIm m, aJn n] = m IJ m,n


IJ
[aIm , aJ+
m ] = m,n

2 n =

1 n=0 +
1
Ln 2p p = L
+
p
0

L
n =

1 I
np pI
2
pZ

Dont have to worry if n = 0. Might have to worry if n = 0.

+
But what we want is: H = L
0 = 2 p p . L0 =
commute so dont know if this is right.

M 2 = p2 = 2p+ p pI pI =

1
2

pZ

I
p
pI but s dont

1
L pI pI
0

L
0 =

1 I I 1 I I
I
+
( + p p

)
2 0 0 2 p=1
p p

= pI pI +

1
p pI + (D 2)
p
2
p=1
p=1

Note p>0 is destruction operation convention. p<0 is creation operation con


vention.

Lecture 18

8.251 Spring 2007

1 I+ I 1
pa
a
+
(D

2)
p
p=1 p p 2
p=1

M2 =

In classical theory, had

M2 =

1 I+ I
1
na
a
+
(D

2)
p
n=1 n n 2
p=1

Showed all states of string had mass 0. Couldnt get anything intersting with
out mass.

Would be great here if 12 (D 2)


M2 =

p=1

p = 1. Then:

1 I+ I
(
nan an 1)

Now want oscillation states without mass

p = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ... =

p=1

1
12

Crazy, huh? Not true in general, of course, but almost true in one sense. Since
we want:

1
(D 2)
p = 1
2
p=1

1
1
(D 2)
= 1 D = 26(dimension of string)
2
12

Now how is

p=1

1
p = 12
?!

Recall Riemann Zeta Function:

Lecture 18

8.251 Spring 2007

(s) =

(s = 1) =

1
s
n
n=1

1
1
=
=
n
12 n=1 n1
n=1

(s) well-dened and convergent for s 2. Doesnt converge for s = 1(pole).


dened on complex plane.

The beauty of analytic functions: If you know it is dened in a very small nite
regin, you know it everywhere by the Cauchy-Riemann.

2p+ p =

1
(L + a)
0

a = constant

Dene for once and for all:

L
0

1 I I I I
= 0 0 +
p p
2
p=1

[M I (a, D), M I (a, D)] = 0


Set standards of messy computation. All books omit at least some details.
+
J
[Ln+ , L+
M J n m
m ] = (m n)Lm+n + dim. of spacetime

So need to nd algebra of Viroso operators.

You might also like