O(d,d)-duality in string theory

Abstract

A new method for obtaining dual string theory backgrounds is presented. Preservation of the Hamiltonian density and the energy momentum tensor induced by O(d, d)-transformations leads to a relation between dual sets of coordinate one-forms accompanied by a redefinition of the background fields and a shift of the dilaton. The necessity of isometric directions arises as integrability condition for this map. The isometry algebra is studied in detail using generalised geometry. In particular, non-abelian dualities and β-transformations are contained in this approach. The latter are exemplified by the construction of a new approximate non-geometric background.