Off-shell structure of the string sigma model

TL;DR

This paper explores the off-shell structure of the string sigma model, revealing how nonperturbative effects depend on regularization schemes and connecting to string field theory.

Contribution

It demonstrates that a regularization scheme preserving string width reproduces Witten's string field theory and its unconventional gauge transformations.

Findings

Nonperturbative effects depend on regularization scheme

A scheme preserving string width aligns with Witten's string field theory

Unconventional gauge transformations are reproduced

Abstract

The off-shell structure of the string sigma model is investigated. In the open bosonic string, nonperturbative effects are shown to depend crucially on the regularization scheme. A scheme retaining the notion of string width reproduces the structure of Witten's string field theory and the associated unconventional gauge transformations.