Dielectric Fundamental Strings in Matrix String Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores how matrix string theory describes fundamental strings expanding into D-branes, including the effects of background curvature and dualities, with explicit solutions illustrating the dielectric effect.

Contribution

It constructs linear couplings of closed string fields to type IIA Matrix strings in curved backgrounds and discusses dielectric effects and dualities.

Findings

Reproduces light-cone gauge string theory in weakly curved backgrounds.

Provides explicit solutions for strings expanding into Dp-branes.

Analyzes dielectric effects in various dual formulations.

Abstract

Matrix string theory is equivalent to type IIA superstring theory in the light-cone gauge, together with extra degrees of freedom representing D-brane states. It is therefore the appropriate framework in which to study systems of multiple fundamental strings expanding into higher-dimensional D-branes. Starting from Matrix theory in a weakly curved background, we construct the linear couplings of closed string fields to type IIA Matrix strings. As a check, we show that at weak coupling the resulting action reproduces light-cone gauge string theory in a weakly curved background. Further dualities give a type IIB Matrix string theory and a type IIA theory of Matrix strings with winding. We comment on the dielectric effect in each of these theories, giving some explicit solutions describing fundamental strings expanding into various Dp-branes.