Superstrings in AdS

Abstract

This is a comprehensive review of the worldsheet techniques for the quantization of type IIB superstring theory on the AdS_5 x S^5 background, using the pure spinor formalism. Particular emphasis is devoted to AdS/CFT applications, with several examples worked out in details. The review is self-contained and pedagogical. Table of contents: 1) Introduction; 2) Generalities; 3) Supercoset sigma models; 4) Quantum effective action and conformal invariance; 5) String spectrum; 6) Integrability.Comment: 157 pages, 1 figure; v3 final version to appear in Physics Reports. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:hep-th/0009168, arXiv:0910.1195, arXiv:hep-th/0112160, arXiv:hep-th/0409159 by other author

On semiclassical equivalence of Green–Schwarz and pure spinor strings in AdS(5) × S(5)

“…An incomplete list of papers that discuss the AdS(5) × S(5) string theory are [12]- [17] in the GS formulation and [18]- [22] in the pure spinor formulation. In the PS case there is a term, proportional to (d L Md R ) where M is a superfield related to the R-R flux.…”

Twistor origin of the superstring

“…Unlike the RNS and Green-Schwarz formalisms, it has been successfully used to compute multiloop amplitudes involving both bosonic and fermionic states [8][9][10] and to prove the quantum consistency of Ramond-Ramond backgrounds such as AdS 5 × S 5 [11][12][13]. However, unlike the RNS formalism, the geometric origin of this new formalism was not understood.…”

Refined partition functions for open superstrings with 4, 8 and 16 supercharges

“…For instance, the model independent higher spin string spectrum at the first massive level in AdS 3 × S 3 compactifications with pure NSNS background has been pioneered in [48]. This is a motivating starting point towards generalizations to non-zero RR flux and superstrings in AdS 5 × S 5 , see [49] for a review. Also, we would like to mention Ref.…”