7
$\begingroup$

Is the full stringy potenetial (for which it is claimed to be 10^500 vacua) written down explicitly somewhere? Any references? Thanks, Dave

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
9
$\begingroup$

String theory isn't just a simple quantum field theory with finitely many fields so it is not true that the "string theory potential" is a function of a fixed number of scalar fields (or other fields). Instead, at various points of the configuration space, the number of light (and even massless) scalar fields is changing, at various points of the transitions etc. The configuration space is very complicated.

So no, there's surely no compact formula for the "string theory's potential". To write such an object correctly and globally, one must really define all of string theory and take it into account.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ In that case, what is a popular potential which covers most important features (or a good portion of the configuratioin space) and is written down explicitly in terms of scalar fields (for example)? $\endgroup$
    – dbm
    Commented Oct 27, 2013 at 10:47
3
+25
$\begingroup$

With regards to the follow-up comment: there is no example that covers the most important features, because the only framework where you might understand how to think about a potential with multiple minima is QFT. But there is no evidence that supports this approach in String Theory, and lots of evidence that suggests it is just wrong. Instead, the only situations in String Theory where we truly know what we're doing all suggest that different spacetime asymptotics correspond to different theories; not states in a theory that might be explored by something like tunneling.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.