Zero-norm states and stringy symmetries

TL;DR

This paper identifies spacetime symmetry charges in 26D open bosonic string theory through zero-norm states, providing evidence that supports high-energy string symmetries and confirms Gross's 1988 conjectures.

Contribution

It introduces a novel connection between zero-norm states and spacetime symmetries in string theory, with multiple calculations supporting this identification.

Findings

Zero-norm states correspond to spacetime symmetry charges.

High-energy scattering calculations confirm Gross's conjectures.

Multiple methods support the zero-norm state and symmetry link.

Abstract

We identify spacetime symmetry charges of 26D open bosonic string theory from an infinite number of zero-norm states (ZNS) with arbitrary high spin in the old covariant first quantized string spectrum. We give various evidences to support this identification. These include massive sigma-model calculation, Witten string field theory calculation, 2D string theory calculation and, most importantly, three methods of high-energy stringy scattering amplitude calculations. The last calculations explicitly prove Gross's conjectures in 1988 on high energy symmetry of string theory.