Tensionless p-branes with manifest conformal invariance

The quantization of the tensionless p-brane is discussed. Inspection of the constraint algebra reveals that the central extensions for the p-branes have a simple form. Using a Hamiltonian BRST scheme we find that the quantization is consistent in any space-time dimension while the quantization of the conformal tensionless p-brane gives a critical dimension $d=2$.Comment: 14 pages, no figure

The Mass Spectrum of the 2-dimensional Conformal String

We present the mass spectrum of the tensionless string in 2 dimensions where it has been found that the space time conformal symmetry survives quantization. A BRST treatment of the physical states reveals that the string collapses into a massless particle, a result which agrees with the classical treatment.Comment: 18 pages, latex, no figure

A general BRST approach to string theories with zeta function regularizations

We propose a new general BRST approach to string and string-like theories which have a wider range of applicability than e g the conventional conformal field theory method. The method involves a simple general regularization of all basic commutators which makes all divergent sums to be expressible in terms of zeta functions from which finite values then may be extracted in a rigorous manner. The method is particular useful in order to investigate possible state space representations to a given model. The method is applied to three string models: The ordinary bosonic string, the tensionless string and the conformal tensionless string. We also investigate different state spaces for these models. The tensionless string models are treated in details. Although we mostly rederive known results they appear in a new fashion which deepens our understanding of these models. Furthermore, we believe that our treatment is more rigorous than most of the previous ones. In the case of the conformal tensionless string we find a new solution for d=4.Comment: 21 pages,Latexfile,revised presentation, previous title:"Critical dimensions and zeta regularizations in string theories

N=1, D=10 Tensionless Superbranes I

We consider a model for tensionless (null) super p-branes in the Hamiltonian approach and in the framework of a harmonic superspace. The obtained algebra of Lorentz-covariant, irreducible, first class constraints is such that the BRST charge corresponds to a first rank system.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, no figure

Classical Interactions for Tensionless Strings

Using an ``action at a distance'' formulation we probe the possible classical interactions for tensionless strings, (the $T\to 0$ limit of the ordinary bosonic string.) We find $G_{\mu\nu}$ and $B_{\mu\nu}$ type interactions but no dilaton interactions.Comment: 9 pages, Late

Null Branes in String Theory Backgrounds

We consider null bosonic p-branes moving in curved space-times and develop a method for solving their equations of motion and constraints, which is suitable for string theory backgrounds. As an application, we give an exact solution for such background in ten dimensions.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX. Final version, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Hamiltonian BRST Quantization of the Conformal String

We present a new formulation of the tensionless string ($T= 0$) where the space-time conformal symmetry is manifest. Using a Hamiltonian BRST scheme we quantize this {\em Conformal String} and find that it has critical dimension $D=2$. This is in keeping with our classical result that the model describes massless particles in this dimension. It is also consistent with our previous results which indicate that quantized conformally symmetric tensionless strings describe a topological phase away {}from $D=2$. We reach our result by demanding nilpotency of the BRST charge and consistency with the Jacobi identities. The derivation is presented in two different ways: in operator language and using mode expansions. Careful attention is payed to regularization, a crucial ingredient in our calculations.Comment: 33pp (LaTeX), USITP-94-0