Dual models with SL(2, C) symmetry

Making use of homogeneous space techniques, the authors construct a class of dual models, which is a generalization of the Virasoro- Shapiro type of model. The integrand in the integral representation for the N-point function depends not only on the modulus of the distances between two-dimensional Koba-Nielsen variables, but also on the corresponding phases. This is in fact the most general SL(2, C) invariant amplitude that can be constructed using complex integration variables. The extra phase factors in the integrand provide a possible means of avoiding tachyons both as external particles and as intermediate states in the amplitude. When factorized in a simple- minded fashion the intercepts are fixed to be integers. Although the external particles can be chosen not to be tachyons, such states appear as intermediate states. Within this factorization one can show that there are gauge conditions for the amplitude that can provide a ghostkilling mechanism. (19 refs).