Classical and Quantum D-branes in 2D String Theory

In a previous paper [hep-th/0012251] we proposed a simple class of actions for string field theory around the tachyon vacuum. In this paper we search for classical solutions describing D-branes of different dimensions using the ansatz that the solutions factorize into the direct product of a matter state and a universal ghost state. We find closed form expressions for the matter state describing D-branes of all dimensions. For the space filling D25-brane the state is the matt...

We consider unstable D0-branes of two dimensional string theory, described by the boundary state of Zamolodchikov and Zamolodchikov [hep-th/0101152] multiplied by the Neumann boundary state for the time coordinate $t$. In the dual description in terms of the $c=1$ matrix model, this D0-brane is described by a matrix eigenvalue on top of the upside down harmonic oscillator potential. As suggested by McGreevy and Verlinde [hep-th/0304224], an eigenvalue rolling down the potenti...

In this paper we would like to discuss the emergence of D-branes from infinite many D-instantons in bosonic and type IIA string theory in the framework of boundary string field theory.

We give a geometric interpretation for D-branes in the c=1 string theory. The geometric description is provided by complex curves which arise in both CFT and matrix model formulations. On the CFT side the complex curve appears from the partition function on the disk with Neumann boundary conditions on the Liouville field (FZZ brane). In the matrix model formulation the curve is associated with the profile of the Fermi sea of free fermions. These two curves are not the same. T...

We propose a new interpretation of the c=1 matrix model as the world-line theory of N unstable D-particles, in which the hermitian matrix is provided by the non- abelian open string tachyon. For D-particles in 1+1-d string theory, we find a direct quantitative match between the closed string emission due to a rolling tachyon and that due to a rolling eigenvalue in the matrix model. We explain the origin of the double-scaling limit, and interpret it as an extreme representativ...

We investigate spectrum of open strings on D-branes after tachyon condensation in bosonic string theory. We calculate 1-loop partition function of the string and show that its limiting forms coincide with partition functions of open strings with different boundary conditions.

Interpretation of D1 and D0-branes in 1+1 string theory as classical and quantum eigen-values in dual c=1 Matrix Quantum Mechanics (MQM) was recently suggested. MQM is known to be equivalent to a system of N free fermions (eigen-values). By considering quantum mechanics of fermions in the presence of classical eigen-value we are able to calculate explicitly the perturbation of the shape of Fermi-sea due to the interaction with the brane. We see that the shape of the Fermi-sea...

This is a pedagogical introduction to D-branes, addressed to graduate students in field theory and particle physics and to other beginners in string theory. I am not going to review the most recent results since there are already many good papers on web devoted to that. Instead, I will present some old techniques in some detail in order to show how some basic properties of strinfs and branes as the massless spectrum of string, the effective action of D-branes and their tensio...

Recent work on closed string tachyon condensation suggests the existence of a `nothing state' where closed strings and space itself vanish. We consider the evolution of D-branes in such backgrounds, focusing on the early stages of the condensation process. We find evidence that the branes exist in the region; although, generically their apparent mass grows exponentially with time. However, there exist specific branes whose boundary states are unaltered by the tachyon.

We present new rolling tachyon solutions describing the classical decay of D-branes. Our methods are simpler than those appearing in recent works, yet our results are exact in classical string theory. The role of pressure in the decay is studied using tachyon profiles with spatial variation. In this case the final state involves an array of codimension one D-branes rather than static, pressureless tachyon matter.