Quantization of Superstrings in Ramond-Ramond Backgrounds

TL;DR

This paper investigates superstring quantization in Ramond-Ramond backgrounds using the NSR formalism, focusing on sigma-model computations, BRST structure, and non-renormalization properties.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Ramond-Ramond backgrounds in superstring theory, including the structure of BRST charge and picture-changing operators, and presents evidence for a non-renormalization theorem.

Findings

Successful sigma-model computations in Ramond-Ramond backgrounds

Detailed analysis of BRST charge and picture-changing operators

Evidence for a two-loop non-renormalization theorem

Abstract

We present a perturbative study of Ramond-Ramond backgrounds in the NSR formalism. We show how to perform sigma-model computations and discuss in detail the structure of the BRST charge and picture-changing operators. Contact terms play a vital role in the analysis. We also give evidence for a two loop non-renormalization theorem for the background beta functions.