Supersymmetric String Solitons

TL;DR

This paper discusses the construction of supersymmetric soliton solutions in superstring theory, utilizing Yang-Mills instantons and various theoretical approaches to explore their structure and properties.

Contribution

It introduces new methods for constructing supersymmetric solitons in superstring theory, including exact superconformal field theory constructions.

Findings

Construction of supersymmetric solitons using Yang-Mills instantons

Analysis of soliton structures via low-energy field theory and sigma-models

Exact superconformal field theory description of certain solutions

Abstract

These notes are based on lectures given by C. Callan and J. Harvey at the 1991 Trieste Spring School on String Theory and Quantum Gravity. The subject is the construction of supersymmetric soliton solutions to superstring theory. A brief review of solitons and instantons in supersymmetric theories is presented. Yang-Mills instantons are then used to construct soliton solutions to heterotic string theory of various types. The structure of these solutions is discussed using low-energy field theory, sigma-model arguments, and in one case an exact construction of the underlying superconformal field theory.