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In an earlier paper we studied the infinite-dimensional symmetries of symmetric-space sigma models (SSMs) in a flat two-dimensional spacetime. Here, we extend our investigation to the case of two-dimensional SSMs coupled to gravity. These theories arise from the toroidal reduction of higher-dimensional gravity and supergravities to two dimensions. We construct explicit expressions for the symmetry transformations under the affine Kac-Moody extension $\hat G$ that arises when starting from a G/H coset model. We also construct further explicit symmetry transformations that correspond to the modes L_n of a Virasoro subalgebra with $n\ge -1$., 27 pages

We show that if one chooses the Einstein Static Universe as the metric on the conformal boundary of Kerr-AdS spacetime, then the Casimir energy of the boundary conformal field theory can easily be determined. The result is independent of the rotation parameters, and the total boundary energy then straightforwardly obeys the first law of thermodynamics. Other choices for the metric on the conformal boundary will give different, more complicated, results. As an application, we calculate the Casimir energy for free self-dual tensor multiplets in six dimensions, and compare it with that of the seven-dimensional supergravity dual. They differ by a factor of 5/4., 4 pages, Latex

We argue that in the context of string theory a large number N of connected degenerate vacua that mix will lead to a ground state with much lower energy, essentially because of the standard level repulsion of quantum theory for the wavefunction of the Universe. We imagine a history where initial quantum fluctuations give an energy density $\sim m_{susy}^2m_{Pl}^2$, but the universe quickly cascades to an energy density $\sim m_{susy}^2m_{Pl}^2/N$. Then at various phase transitions there are large contributions to the energy density and rearrangement of levels, followed again by a rapid cascade to the ground state or near it. If this mechanism is correct, the ground state of the theory describing our world would be a superposition of a large number of connected string vacua,with shared superselection sets of properties such as three families etc. The observed value of the cosmological constant in terms of the Planck mass, the scale of supersymmetry breaking and the number of connected string vacua., Comment: 8 pages

A brief review of string theory on group manifolds is given, and comparisons are then drawn between Minkowski space, SU(2), and SU(1,1) = AdS_3. The proof of the no-ghost theorem is outlined, assuming a certain restriction on the representation content for bosonic and fermionic strings on SU(1,1). Some possible connections with the AdS/CFT correspondence are mentioned. (Based on invited talk by JME at Trieste Conference on Super 5-branes and Physics in (5+1)-dimensions.), Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX

In this paper we perform a detailed investigation of the Dirichlet eight-brane of the Type IIA string theory, when the effects of gravity are included. In particular, consider what happens when one allows the ten-form field strength $F_{10}$ to vary discontinuously across the worldvolume of the brane. Since the ten-form is constant on each side of the brane ($d*F_{10} = 0$), a variation in the bulk term $\int F_{10}*F_{10}$ gives rise to a net pressure acting on the surface of the brane. This means that the infinite `planar' eight-brane is no longer a static configuration with these boundary conditions. Instead, a static configuration is found only when the brane `compactifies' to the topology of an eight-sphere, $S^8$. These spherical eight-branes are thus bubbles which form boundaries between different phases of the massive Type IIA supergravity theory. While these bubbles are generically unstable and will want to expand (or contract), we show that in certain cases there is a critical radius, $r_c$, at which the (inward) tension of the brane is exactly counterbalanced by the (outward) force exerted by the pressure terms. Intuitively, these `compactified' branes are just spherical bubbles where the effective cosmological constant jumps by a discrete amount as you cross a brane worldsheet. We argue that these branes will be unstable to various semi-classical decay processes. We discuss the implications of such processes for the open strings which have endpoints on the eight-brane., Comment: 24 pages REVTeX plus 2 figures

We investigate non-abelian gaugings of WZNW models. When the gauged group is semisimple we are able to present exact formulae for the dual conformal field theory, for all values of the level $k$. The results are then applied to non-abelian target space duality in string theory, showing that the standard formulae are quantum mechanically well defined in the low energy limit if the gauged group is semisimple., Comment: 17 pages uuencoded Z-compressed latex