John H. Schwarz

Properties of the covariant formulation of superstring theories

Abstract The covariant two-dimensional action principle that describes the dynamics of free superstrings in a Minkowski background is reviewed. Covariant gauge conditions are formulated, which simplify the equations of motion of the superspace coordinates to free equations. In this gauge there are bosonic and fermionic constraints whose generators give a supersymmetric generalization of the Virasoro algebra. As in certain supersymmetric field theories, closure of the algebra requires using the equations of motion. Covariant constrained bracket relations are obtained for the classical theory, but it is very difficult to extend them to quantum mechanical commutation relations. Interaction vertices satisfying supersymmetry and the necessary gauge conditions are constructed. They reduce in a special frame to ones found in earlier work in the light-cone gauge, and then can be interpreted quantum mechanically.

The structure of superstring field theories

Abstract Superstring field theories involve two basic types of local interactions, which may be regarded as string generalizations of a cubic Yang-Mills coupling and a cubic gravity coupling. The higher-order contact terms of the low-energy effective supergravity field theories arise from the exchange of massive superstring states.