Inhomogeneous tachyon dynamics and the zipper

TL;DR

This paper investigates inhomogeneous tachyon condensation in intersecting D1-anti-D1-branes using an effective action, revealing a zipper-like decay process that leaves behind inhomogeneous tachyon matter.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical analysis of inhomogeneous tachyon dynamics at small intersection angles, demonstrating a zipper-like decay process in D-brane systems.

Findings

Decay proceeds indefinitely with zipper-like motion at light speed

The process results in inhomogeneous tachyon matter

The analysis clarifies the relation between D1-anti-D1 and intersecting D1-D1 systems

Abstract

We study the process of inhomogeneous tachyon condensation in an intersecting D1- and anti-D1-brane system using an effective tachyon DBI action. By switching to the Hamiltonian formalism, we numerically solve for the dynamical evolution of the system at a small intersection angle. We find that the decay proceeds indefinitely and resembles the action of two zippers moving away from the intersection point at the speed of light, zipping the branes together and leaving inhomogeneous tachyon matter behind. We also discuss the range of validity of our analysis and discuss the relation of the D1-anti-D1 description of the system to one in terms of an intersecting D1-D1-brane pair.