In theoretical physics, a "dilaton" is a hypothetical scalar field that arises in various contexts, particularly in string theory and certain models of quantum gravity. The term "dilaton" is often associated with the following concepts: 1. **String Theory**: In the context of string theory, the dilaton is an important scalar field that emerges in the low-energy effective action of string theory. It is related to the string coupling constant, which determines the strength of interactions in the theory.
Articles by others on the same topic
The dilaton is a scalar closed-string background field coupled to the worldsheet Ricci scalar. Its constant mode determines the string coupling, while spacetime variation modifies the background-field equations.