In superstring theory, each state may be represented in many ways, depending on how the ground state is defined. Each representation is called a picture, and is denoted by a number, such as 0 picture or −1 picture.
The difference between the ground states is according to the action of the superghosts oscillators on them, and the number of the picture (plus 1/2) reflects the highest superghost oscillator which does not annihilate the ground state.
Famous quotes containing the word picture:
“It is impossible for me to envisage a picture as being other than a window, and ... my first concern is then to know what it looks out on.”
—André Breton (1896–1966)