Open Strings on AdS_2 Branes

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the spectrum of open strings on AdS_2 branes in AdS_3 using the SL(2,R) WZW model, revealing how string charge affects spectral flow symmetry and leads to noncommutative open string theory at the boundary.

Contribution

It provides a detailed characterization of open string spectra on AdS_2 branes, including effects of fundamental string charge and the emergence of noncommutative geometry.

Findings

Open string spectrum is the holomorphic square root of closed string spectrum in AdS_3.

Branes with fundamental string charge break half the spectral flow symmetry.

At the boundary, the induced electric field leads to noncommutative open string theory.

Abstract

We study the spectrum of open strings on AdS_2 branes in AdS_3 in an NS-NS background, using the SL(2,R) WZW model. When the brane carries no fundamental string charge, the open string spectrum is the holomorphic square root of the spectrum of closed strings in AdS_3. It contains short and long strings, and is invariant under spectral flow. When the brane carries fundamental string charge, the open string spectrum again contains short and long strings in all winding sectors. However, branes with fundamental string charge break half the spectral flow symmetry. This has different implications for short and long strings. As the fundamental string charge increases, the brane approaches the boundary of AdS_3. In this limit, the induced electric field on the worldvolume reaches its critical value, producing noncommutative open string theory on AdS_2.