On Free Field Realizations of Strings in BTZ

Abstract

We discuss realizations of the SL(2,R) current algebra in the hyperbolic basis using free scalar fields. It has been previously shown by Satoh how such a realization can be used to describe the principal continuous representations of SL(2,R). We extend this work by introducing another realization that corresponds to the principal discrete representations of SL(2,R). We show that in these realizations spectral flow can be interpreted as twisting of a free scalar field. Finally, we discuss how these realizations can be obtained from the BTZ Lagrangian.

11 pages, latex; references added, email address changed