1996/02/29 by David Kutasov, D. Kutasov, Emil J. Martinec +1 · 6 citations
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Algorithms and Data Compression #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/0550-3213(96)00302-1
published as Nucl.Phys. B477 (1996) 652-674 · 26+2 pages, harvmac; minor errors corrected, references altered
arxiv created 1996/03/18 · openalex publication_date 1996/10/01 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The target space theory of the N=(2,1) heterotic string may be interpreted as a theory of gravity coupled to matter in either 1+1 or 2+1 dimensions. Among the target space theories in 1+1 dimensions are the bosonic, type II, and heterotic string world sheet field theories in a physical gauge. The 2+1 dimensional version describes a consistent quantum theory of supermembranes in 10+1 dimensions. The unifying framework for all of these vacua is a theory of 2+2 dimensional self-dual geometries embedded in 10+2 dimensions. There are also indications that the N=(2,1) string describes the strong coupling dynamics of compactifications of critical string theories to two dimensions, and may lead to insights about the fundamental degrees of freedom of the theory.