A New String in Ten Dimensions?

Abstract

I suggest the possibility of a new string in ten dimensions. Evidence for this string is presented both from orientifold physics and from K-theory, along with a mystery concerning the M-theory description. Motivated by this possibility, some novel aspects of decoupling limits in heterotic/type I theories are described; specifically, the decoupled theory on type I $D$-strings is argued to be three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional. These decoupled theories provide the matrix model definitions of the heterotic/type I strings.

18 pages, 2 figures; LaTeX; significant revision of the M-theory discussion; comments, caveats and references added