Aspects of type IIB theory on asymptotically locally Euclidean spaces
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, UCSB, California 93106 (United States)
- Department of Physics, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada, H3A 2T8 (CANADA)
D-brane technology and strong/weak coupling duality supplement traditional orbifold techniques by making certain background geometries more accessible. In this spirit, we consider some of the geometric properties of the type IIB theory on R{sup 6}{times}M, where M is an {open_quotes}asymptotically locally Euclidean{close_quotes} (ALE) gravitational instanton. Given the self-duality of the theory, we can extract the geometry (both singular and resolved) seen by the weakly coupled IIB string by studying the physics of a D1-brane probe. The construction is both amusing and instructive, as the physics of the probe completely captures the mathematics of the construction of ALE instantons via {open_quotes}hyper-Kaehler quotients,{close_quotes} as presented by Kronheimer. This relation has been noted by Douglas and Moore for the A series. We extend the explicit construction to the case of the D and E series{emdash}uncovering a quite beautiful structure{emdash}and highlight how all of the elements of the mathematical construction find their counterparts in the physics of the type IIB D-string. We discuss the explicit ALE metrics which may be obtained using these techniques, and comment on the role duality plays in relating gauged linear {sigma} models to conformal field theories.
- OSTI ID:
- 544363
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, D, Vol. 55, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: May 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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