Conformal Anomaly of String Theory in the Harmonic Gauge

TL;DR

This paper investigates the conformal anomaly in string theory within the harmonic gauge, revealing that the critical dimension can be determined without anomaly for ghost number symmetry, clarifying previous ambiguities.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the critical dimension of string theory can be identified through the conformal anomaly analysis in the harmonic gauge, where ghost number symmetry remains anomaly-free.

Findings

No conformal anomaly for ghost number symmetry in harmonic gauge

Critical dimension can be determined from the conformal anomaly

Faddeev-Popov conjugation explains anomaly behavior

Abstract

Considering the conformal anomaly in an effective action, the critical dimension of string theory can be decided in the harmonic gauge, in which it had been reported before to be indefinite. In this gauge, there is no anomaly for the ghost number symmetry. This can be naturally understood in terms of Faddeev-Popov conjugation in the theory.