Probing Type I' String Theory Using D0 and D4-Branes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics of D0 and D4-branes in Type I' string theory, revealing how their moduli space metrics and potentials vary with distance, supporting the matrix model approach to M-theory.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of brane interactions in Type I' theory, confirming matrix model predictions and elucidating the behavior of brane metrics at different scales.

Findings

D0-brane moduli space metric is nontrivial at short distances

At large distances, the metric becomes flat due to massive open strings

Results support the matrix model proposal for M-theory

Abstract

We analyse the velocity-dependent potentials seen by D0 and D4-brane probes moving in Type I' background for head-on scattering off the fixed planes. We find that at short distances (compared to string length) the D0-brane probe has a nontrivial moduli space metric, in agreement with the prediction of Type I' matrix model; however, at large distances it is modified by massive open strings to a flat metric, which is consistent with the spacetime equations of motion of Type I' theory. We discuss the implication of this result for the matrix model proposal for M-theory. We also find that the nontrivial metric at short distances in the moduli space action of the D0-brane probe is reflected in the coefficient of the higher dimensional v^4 term in the D4-brane probe action.