The Tachyon Potential in Open Neveu-Schwarz String Field Theory

TL;DR

This paper computes the tachyon potential in open superstring field theory, finding a minimum that accounts for 60% of the expected value, advancing understanding of tachyon dynamics in string theory.

Contribution

It generalizes a classical open superstring field theory action to include non-GSO projected states and explicitly calculates the pure tachyon potential.

Findings

Tachyon potential minimum at V = -1/32g^2

Potential is 60% of the predicted exact minimum

Provides explicit computation of tachyon contribution

Abstract

A classical action for open superstring field theory has been proposed which does not suffer from contact term problems. After generalizing this action to include the non-GSO projected states of the Neveu-Schwarz string, the pure tachyon contribution to the tachyon potential is explicitly computed. The potential has a minimum of $V = -{1\over{32 g^2}}$ which is 60% of the predicted exact minimum of $V=-{1\over{2\pi^2 g^2}}$ from D-brane arguments.