String perturbation equations from Polyakov action

In summary, the conversation discusses the derivation of the general physical perturbations of a string in a 4-dimensional gravitational background, starting from the Polyakov action. The variations of the action with respect to the string's spacetime coordinates and internal metric are calculated, and the resulting equations of motion are obtained. The conversation then moves on to discussing the second variations of the action and the assumptions made in deriving them, including the introduction of normal vectors and fundamental forms. The final form of the second variation is presented, but the question remains as to how it was obtained.
  • #1
Tursinbay
5
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.
 
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  • #2
Moderator's note: Thread moved to Beyond the Standard Model forum.
 

FAQ: String perturbation equations from Polyakov action

What is the Polyakov action and how does it relate to string perturbation equations?

The Polyakov action is a mathematical framework used in string theory to describe the dynamics of strings. It is a functional of the worldsheet coordinates that determines how the string behaves in space and time. The string perturbation equations are derived from the Polyakov action and describe how the string interacts with other particles and fields.

What is the significance of string perturbation equations in string theory?

String perturbation equations are essential in understanding the behavior of strings in different spacetime dimensions and under different conditions. They allow us to make predictions and calculations about the behavior of strings in various scenarios, such as collisions with other strings or interactions with other particles and fields.

How are string perturbation equations derived from the Polyakov action?

The string perturbation equations are derived by expanding the Polyakov action in a series of powers of the string tension. This expansion allows us to approximate the behavior of strings in terms of simpler, more manageable equations, making it easier to study and understand the dynamics of strings.

What are the limitations of string perturbation equations?

While string perturbation equations are useful for making predictions and calculations in certain scenarios, they are limited in their applicability. They are only valid for weakly interacting strings and cannot be used to study strongly coupled string systems. Additionally, they are not applicable to non-perturbative effects in string theory.

Are there any alternative approaches to describing the dynamics of strings besides the Polyakov action and string perturbation equations?

Yes, there are other approaches that have been developed to describe the dynamics of strings, such as the AdS/CFT correspondence and the Matrix theory. These approaches offer different perspectives and insights into the behavior of strings and are often used in conjunction with the Polyakov action and string perturbation equations to gain a more comprehensive understanding of string theory.

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