Localization of Quantum Fields on Branes

Abstract

A mechanism for localization of quantum fields on a $s$-brane, representing the boundary of a s+2 dimensional bulk space, is investigated. Minkowski and AdS bulk spaces are analyzed. Besides the background geometry, the relevant parameters controlling the theory are the mass M and a real parameter η, specifying the boundary condition on the brane. The importance of exploring the whole range of allowed values for these parameters is emphasized. Stability in Minkowski space requires ηto be greater or equal to -M, whereas in the AdS background all real ηare permitted. Both in the flat and in AdS case, the induced field on the brane is a non-canonical generalized free field. For a suitable choice of boundary condition, corresponding to the presence of a boundary state, the induced field on the brane mimics standard s+1 dimensional physics. In a certain range of η, the spectral function in the the AdS case is ominated by a massive excitation, which imitates the presence of massive particle on the brane. We show that the quantum field induced on the brane is stable.

17 pages, Latex, two eps figures. Few misprints corrected. Final version accepted for publication in Nuclear Physics B