The target space geometry of N=(2,1) string theory

Abstract

We describe the $\mathcal{O}({{\alpha }^{\prime }}^0)$ constraints on the target space geometry of the $N=(2,1)$ heterotic superstring due to the left-moving $N=1$ supersymmetry and $U(1)$ currents. In the fermionic description of the internal sector supersymmetry is realized quantum mechanically, so that both tree-level and one-loop effects contribute to the order $\mathcal{O}({{\alpha }^{\prime }}^0)$ constraints. We also discuss the physical interpretation of the resulting target space geometry in terms of configurations of a $2+2$-dimensional object propagating in a $10+2$-dimensional spacetime with a null isometry, which has recently been suggested as a unified description of string and M theory.

41 pages, 5 figures, standard LaTeX, uses epsf.tex. Some typos corrected, discussion in footnote 1 corrected

References in corpus (10)

• Compactifications of F-Theory on Calabi--Yau Threefolds -- II
• Compactifications of F-Theory on Calabi--Yau Threefolds -- I
• Non-Perturbative Superpotentials In String Theory
• An SL(2,Z) Multiplet of Type IIB Superstrings
• The Power of M Theory
• Four-Dimensional Avatars of Two-Dimensional RCFT
• New Principles for String/Membrane Unification
• String Dynamics at Strong Coupling
• Another Length Scale in String Theory?
• A (1,2) Heterotic String with Gauge Symmetry