Abstract
We show that Dirichlet-branes, extended objects defined by mixed Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions in string theory, break half of the supersymmetries of the type~II superstring and carry a complete set of electric and magnetic Ramond-Ramond charges. We also find that the product of the electric and magnetic charges is a single Dirac unit, and that the quantum of charge takes the value required by string duality. This is strong evidence that the Dirchlet-branes are intrinsic to type II string theory and are the Ramond-Ramond sources required by string duality. We also note the existence of a previously overlooked 9-form potential in the IIa string, which gives rise to an effective cosmological constant of undetermined magnitude.
Keywords
PhysicsSuperstring theoryBrane cosmologyString (physics)Mathematical physicsElectric chargeString dualityNon-critical string theoryString field theoryQuantum electrodynamicsCharge (physics)Theoretical physicsQuantum mechanicsQuantumSupersymmetryRelationship between string theory and quantum field theoryQuantum gravity
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1995
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 26
- Pages
- 4724-4727
- Citations
- 2561
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
Joseph Polchinski
(1995).
Dirichlet Branes and Ramond-Ramond Charges.
Physical Review Letters
, 75
(26)
, 4724-4727.
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.75.4724
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1103/physrevlett.75.4724