Analytic Solution for Tachyon Condensation in Berkovits' Open Superstring Field Theory

Abstract

We present an analytic solution for tachyon condensation on a non-BPS D-brane in Berkovits' open superstring field theory. The solution is presented as a product of $2\times 2$ matrices in two distinct $GL_2$ subgroups of the open string star algebra. All string fields needed for computation of the nonpolynomial action can be derived in closed form, and the action produces the expected non-BPS D-brane tension in accordance with Sen's conjecture. We also comment on how D-brane charges may be encoded in the topology of the tachyon vacuum gauge orbit.

v2: 43 pages, 6 figures. Minor corrections, references added