Multiparticle Factorization and the Rigidity of String Theory
Is string theory uniquely determined by self-consistency? Causality and unitarity seemingly permit a multitude of putative deformations, at least at the level of two-to-two scattering. Motivated by this question, we initiate a systematic exploration of the constraints on scattering from higher-point factorization, which imposes extraordinarily restrictive sum rules on the residues and spectra defined by a given amplitude. These bounds handily exclude several proposed deformations of the string: the simplest “bespoke” amplitudes with tunable masses and a family of modified string integrands from “binary geometry.” While the string itself passes all tests, our formalism directly extracts the three-point amplitudes for the low-lying string modes without the aid of worldsheet vertex operators. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0009988; SC0011632
- OSTI ID:
- 2317683
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 132; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
- Publisher:
- American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Quantum electrodynamics mediated by a photon with continuous spin
Leading-order gravitational radiation to all spin orders