Lecture 24

8.251 Spring 2007

Lecture 24 - Topics
Dp-brane
Parallel Dps

1 1 I
X X =
(X X I )2
2 2p+

X I X I =

2
nI exp(in( ))

(1)

(2)

nZ

1
2p p =

1 I I
0 0 +
n nI + a)
2
n=1

Dp-brane

x0 , x1 , . . . , xp : Coordinates on brane

x+ , x , xi , i = 1, 2, 3, . . . , p (p + 1) 2 values. N N coordinates.

xp+1 , . . . , xd : Normal to brane

xa , a = p + 1, . . . , d (d p) values. DD coordinates.

(3)

Lecture 24

8.251 Spring 2007

Thus:
Equation (1) becomes:
1 1
[(x i xi )2 + (x a xa )2 ]
2 2p+
Equation (2) holds. Equation (3):

1
2p p =

1 I I
I
+
n n + a
2 0 0 n=1

X a (, ):
a

X a (, 0) = X a (, ) = X ,
a scalar
1

a
X a (, ) = X + 2
a ein sin n
n n
n=0

X a X a =

na ein( )

n=0
a
[m
, nb ] = mm+n,0 ab

2p+ p =

1 i i i
i
a
a
(
p
p
+
(n +
n + n n ) 1)

n=1

M2 =

1
(1 + N )

N =
Nlongitudinal + Ntransverse

i
Nl = n=1 n
ni

a
Nt = n=1 n na

Ground state: M 2 = 1 , State p+ , pi > tachyons, gives rise to (, p+ , pi ).

pa = 0.

Lecture 24

8.251 Spring 2007

Where do these elds live? Reasonable to say, on the brane. Right number of
coordinates p 1 dim. space. But where did the xa go?

i + i
Next state: 1
p , p , M 2 = 0.
(p + 1) 2 of these states. What are they? Photon states!

a + i
Also, 1
p , p lives on brane but has xa index. Nothing to do with spacetime.
Inert scalar states. d p massless scalars. Physical interpretation: Represent
possible excitations casting 0 energy and 0 momentum, displacing the brane.
(See QFT theory of Goldstone).

Parallel Dp s

Know everything about strings A and B.

New problem: strings C and D. (note C = D since orientation matters)

A = [1, 1], B = [2, 2], C = [1, 2], D = [2, 1].

In general, [i, j] with = 0 Di , = Dj . (Before, always talking about

same D-branes, so there was an implicity [1, 1] always.)

X a (, ) = X i +

1 a
a
(X 2 X 1 ) + 2
a ein sin n

n n
n=0

X a =

2
na ein cos(n)
n=0

Lecture 24

8.251 Spring 2007

1 a
1a )
X
2 0a = (X
2
Alternatively, write as:
a
1
a
a
0 =
(X 2 X 1 )
20
2
1 i i i 1 a a
( p p + 0 0 + N 1)

2
1
1
2

M = (N 1) + 0a 0a

2p+ p =

(N 1): Contribution of Quantum Oscillation

1
a a
a
a 2
2 0 0 = (T0 (X2 X1 )) : Contribution of TensionLength

Now M 2 quantized
but can
for anysector,

choose sectors.
Ground states: p+ , pi [1, 2] , p+ , pi [1, 1] (we know how to handle this one)

i + i
State 1
p , p [1, 2] D-branes separate, so now not massless photons

a + i
State 1
p , p [1, 2] same mass. Always a scalar state.
Suppose have 3 branes:

Lecture 24

8.251 Spring 2007

String A = [i, j]
String B = [j, k]

Can interact to form one string between Di and Dk : [i, j] [j, k] = [i, k]. (Then
Dj doesnt notice the string anymore). Theory of interacting gauge elds.

Dp brane parallel to Dq

Coordinates have split into common D, common N and split N D.