Chan-Paton factors and Higgsing from Vacuum String Field Theory

TL;DR

This paper describes how Higgsing in open string theory with multiple D-branes can be understood through vacuum string field theory, highlighting the role of twist anomalies at the midpoint in mass shifts.

Contribution

It provides a novel explanation of Higgsing via twist anomalies in vacuum string field theory, connecting brane displacement to mass formula modifications.

Findings

Higgsing arises from twist anomalies at the string midpoint.

Displacing D-branes leads to mass shifts in stretched open strings.

The approach clarifies the role of vacuum string field theory in brane dynamics.

Abstract

We give a description of open strings stretched between N parallel D-branes in VSFT. We show how higgsing is generated as the branes are displaced: the shift in the mass formula for on-shell states stretched between different branes is due to a twist anomaly, a contribution localized at the midpoint.