`Null gauged' WZNW theories and Toda-like $\sigma$-models

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel gauging method for WZNW models, resulting in exact string solutions with Minkowskian metrics, and interprets these models as Toda-like sigma models, expanding the understanding of string theory solutions.

Contribution

It presents a new gauging technique for WZNW models that yields exact string solutions and connects them to Toda-like sigma models, offering a fresh approach in string theory research.

Findings

Derived exact string solutions with Minkowskian target space metric.

Established a link between gauged WZNW models and Toda-like sigma models.

Provided a new framework for analyzing string solutions in theoretical physics.

Abstract

A new method of gauging of WZNW models is presented, leading to a class of exact string solutions with a target space metric of Minkowskian signature. The corresponding models may be interpreted as $\sigma$-model analogues of the Toda field theories.