N=2 superstring
Encyclopedia
In string theory
, N=2 superstring is a theory in which the worldsheet admits N=2 supersymmetry
rather than N=1 supersymmetry
as in the usual superstring. The target space (a term used for a generalization of space-time) is four dimensional, but either none or two of them are time-like, i.e. it has either 4+0 or 2+2 dimensions. The spectrum consists of only one massless scalar
, which describes gravitational fluctuations of self-dual gravity. The target space theory is therefore self-dual gravity, and is thought to consist no local (or propagating) degrees of freedom.
String theory
String theory is an active research framework in particle physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. It is a contender for a theory of everything , a manner of describing the known fundamental forces and matter in a mathematically complete system...
, N=2 superstring is a theory in which the worldsheet admits N=2 supersymmetry
Supersymmetry algebra
In theoretical physics, a super-Poincaré algebra is an extension of the Poincaré algebra to incorporate supersymmetry, a relation between bosons and fermions. They are examples of supersymmetry algebras, and hence are Lie superalgebras...
rather than N=1 supersymmetry
Supersymmetry algebra
In theoretical physics, a super-Poincaré algebra is an extension of the Poincaré algebra to incorporate supersymmetry, a relation between bosons and fermions. They are examples of supersymmetry algebras, and hence are Lie superalgebras...
as in the usual superstring. The target space (a term used for a generalization of space-time) is four dimensional, but either none or two of them are time-like, i.e. it has either 4+0 or 2+2 dimensions. The spectrum consists of only one massless scalar
Scalar (physics)
In physics, a scalar is a simple physical quantity that is not changed by coordinate system rotations or translations , or by Lorentz transformations or space-time translations . This is in contrast to a vector...
, which describes gravitational fluctuations of self-dual gravity. The target space theory is therefore self-dual gravity, and is thought to consist no local (or propagating) degrees of freedom.