Dilaton coupling revisited

TL;DR

This paper revisits the origin of the dilaton coupling in string theory, linking it to ghost number anomalies arising from membrane wrapping and worldsheet diffeomorphisms.

Contribution

It provides a new perspective on the dilaton coupling by connecting it to ghost number anomalies in string theory.

Findings

Dilaton coupling is induced by ghost number anomalies.

Wrapped membranes contribute to the dilaton coupling.

Revisiting the coupling clarifies its theoretical origin.

Abstract

We reinvestigate the dilaton coupling in the string theory, which comes from a wrapped membrane. The ghost number anomaly associated with the string worldsheet diffeomorphism is shown to induce the dilaton coupling.