Conic D-branes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that D-branes in string theory can naturally form conic shapes with a universal apex angle, independent of external forces, and explores their solutions and stability in various backgrounds.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of conic D-branes with a universal apex angle and provides explicit solutions and mechanisms for their formation in different flux backgrounds.

Findings

D-branes can form conic shapes with a universal apex angle

Explicit solutions for conic D-branes in flux backgrounds are provided

The apex angle is independent of external forces and is quantized

Abstract

The shape of D-branes is of fundamental interest in string theory. We find that generically D-branes in trivial spacetime can form a conic shape under external uniform forces. Surprisingly, the apex angle is found to be unique, once the spatial dimensions of the cone is given. In particular it is universal irrespective of the external forces. The quantized angle is reminiscent of Taylor cones of hydrodynamic electrospray. We provide explicit D-brane solutions as well as the mechanism of a force balance on the cone, for D-branes in RR and NSNS flux backgrounds. Critical embedding of probe D-branes in AdS/CFT with electric and magnetic fields is in the same category, for which we give an analytic proof of a power-low spectrum of "turbulent meson condensation."