Why is Supersymmetry Necessary in String Theory?

In summary, Witten mentioned that string theory forces us to accept certain symmetries of nature instead of choosing them as we do in QFT. This may refer to supersymmetry, which is necessary in superstring theory to avoid an unstable vacuum state. The GSO projection was developed in the mid-seventies to eliminate certain states from the string spectrum and make the theory tachyon-free.
  • #1
"pi"mp
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I was recently watching a talk by Witten and he mentioned that one of the magical things about string theory is that it forces us to accept certain symmetries of nature, as opposed to choosing them as we do in QFT. Can anyone give an enlightening explanation of this? I do have very basic knowledge of string theory but not enough over-arching knowledge to appreciate that claim.
 
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  • #2
Perhaps he is referring to supersymmetry. I don't know if there is a proof that it is absolutely necessary, but bosonic string theory has an unstable vacuum, whereas superstring theory does not.

http://www.superstringtheory.com/experm/exper4a1.html
"The biggest problem with bosonic string theory (aside from the lack of fermions) is that the lowest energy state was a tachyon, or a particle mode with negative mass squared. This means the vacuum state of the theory is unstable.

In the mid-seventies Gliozzi, Scherk and Olive realized that they could implement a rule to consistently discard certain states from the RNS model, and after this truncation, known as the GSO projection, was made on the string spectrum in ten spacetime dimensions, the ground state was massless, and the theory was tachyon free."
 

Related to Why is Supersymmetry Necessary in String Theory?

1. What is string theory and why is it important?

String theory is a theoretical framework in physics that aims to unify the four fundamental forces of nature (gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force) into a single consistent theory. It proposes that the fundamental building blocks of the universe are not point-like particles, but tiny one-dimensional strings. String theory is important because it has the potential to explain many unanswered questions in physics and could lead to a more complete understanding of the universe.

2. What are symmetries in string theory?

Symmetries in string theory refer to the properties of the strings themselves, such as their shape, size, and vibration, that remain unchanged under certain transformations. These transformations can include rotations, translations, and reflections. Symmetries are important in string theory because they provide a way to classify and understand the different types of strings and their interactions.

3. How do symmetries impact the predictions of string theory?

Symmetries play a crucial role in predicting the behavior of strings in string theory. They can help determine the properties of particles and their interactions, as well as the overall structure of the universe. By studying the symmetries present in string theory, scientists can make predictions about the behavior of particles and test the validity of the theory.

4. Are symmetries in string theory observable?

Some symmetries in string theory, such as translational and rotational symmetries, are observable in the physical world. However, many symmetries are not directly observable and can only be inferred through their effects on the behavior of strings and particles. Scientists use mathematical models and experiments to study and understand these symmetries.

5. What is the role of symmetries in the search for a unified theory?

Symmetries have played a crucial role in the development of string theory as a potential unified theory. By studying symmetries, scientists have been able to make progress in unifying the different forces of nature. In addition, symmetries are important in the search for new particles and interactions that could help complete the theory and provide a deeper understanding of the universe.

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