No Arabic abstract
We evaluate the four-closed-string scattering amplitude, using the Polyakov string path integral in the proper-time gauge. By identifying the Fock space representation of the four-closed-string-vertex, we obtain a field theoretic expression of the closed string scattering amplitudes. In the zero-slope limit, the four-closed-string scattering amplitude reduces to the four-graviton-scattering amplitude of Einsteins gravity. However, at a finite slope, the four-graviton scattering amplitude in the proper-time gauge differs not only from that of Einstein gravity, but also significantly differs from the conventional one obtained by using the vertex operator technique in string theory. This discrepancy is mainly due to the presence of closed string tachyon poles in the four-graviton-scattering amplitude, which are missing in previous works. Because the tachyon poles in the scattering amplitude considerably alter the short distance behavior of gravitational interaction, they may be important in understanding problems associated with the perturbative theory of quantum gravity and the dark matter within the framework of string theory.
We evaluate four-gauge-particle tree level scattering amplitudes using the Polyakov string path integral in the proper-time gauge, where the string path integral can be cast into the Feynman-Schwinger proper-time representation. We compare the resultant scattering amplitudes, which include $ap$-corrections, with the conventional ones that may be obtained by substituting local vertex operators for the external string states. In the zero-slope limit, both amplitudes are reduced to the four-gauge-particle scattering amplitude of non-Abelian Yang-Mills gauge theory. However, when the string corrections become relevant with finite $ap$, the scattering amplitude in the proper-time gauge differs from the conventional one: The Polyakov string path integral in the proper-time gauge, equivalent to the deformed cubic string field theory, systematically provides the alpha prime corrections. In addition, we find that the scattering amplitude in the proper-time gauge contains tachyon poles in a manner consistent with three-particle-scattering amplitudes. The scattering amplitudes evaluated using the Polyakov string path integral in the proper-time gauge may be more suitable than conventional ones for exploring string corrections to the quantum field theories and high energy behaviors of open string.
We construct a covariant closed string field theory by extending recent works on the covariant open string field theory in the proper-time gauge. Rewriting the string scattering amplitudes generated by the closed string field theory in terms of the Polyakov string path integrals, we identify the Fock space representations of the closed string vertices. We show that the Fock space representations of the closed string field theory may be completely factorized into those of the open string field theory. It implies that the well known Kawai-Lewellen-Tye (KLT) relations of the first quantized string theory may be promoted to the second quantized closed string theory. We explicitly calculate the scattering amplitudes of three gravitons by using the closed string field theory in the proper-time gauge.
We present the analytic form of the two-loop four-graviton scattering amplitudes in Einstein gravity. To remove ultraviolet divergences we include counterterms quadratic and cubic in the Riemann curvature tensor. The two-loop numerical unitarity approach is used to deal with the challenging momentum dependence of the interactions. We exploit the algebraic properties of the integrand of the amplitude in order to map it to a minimal basis of Feynman integrals. Analytic expressions are obtained from numerical evaluations of the amplitude. Finally, we show that four-graviton scattering observables depend on fewer couplings than naively expected.
We study graviton-graviton scattering in partial-wave amplitudes after unitarizing their Born terms. In order to apply S-matrix techniques, based on unitarity and analyticity, we introduce an S-matrix free of infrared divergences. This is achieved by removing a diverging phase factor related to the infinite-range character of the interactions mediated by graviton exchange in the crossed channels. A scalar graviton-graviton resonance with vacuum quantum numbers (J^{PC}=0^{++}) is obtained as a pole in the nonperturbative S-wave amplitude, which we call the {it graviball}. Its resonant effects along the physical real s axis may peak at values much lower than the UV cutoff of the theory. For some scenarios, this phenomenon could have phenomenological consequences at relatively low-energy scales.
We study the space of all kinematically allowed four photon and four graviton S-matrices, polynomial in scattering momenta. We demonstrate that this space is the permutation invariant sector of a module over the ring of polynomials of the Mandelstam invariants $s$, $t$ and $u$. We construct these modules for every value of the spacetime dimension $D$, and so explicitly count and parameterize the most general four photon and four graviton S-matrix at any given derivative order. We also explicitly list the local Lagrangians that give rise to these S-matrices. We then conjecture that the Regge growth of S-matrices in all physically acceptable classical theories is bounded by $s^2$ at fixed $t$. A four parameter subset of the polynomial photon S-matrices constructed above satisfies this Regge criterion. For gravitons, on the other hand, no polynomial addition to the Einstein S-matrix obeys this bound for $D leq 6$. For $D geq 7$ there is a single six derivative polynomial Lagrangian consistent with our conjectured Regge growth bound. Our conjecture thus implies that the Einstein four graviton S-matrix does not admit any physically acceptable polynomial modifications for $Dleq 6$. A preliminary analysis also suggests that every finite sum of pole exchange contributions to four graviton scattering also such violates our conjectured Regge growth bound, at least when $Dleq 6$, even when the exchanged particles have low spin.