STRINGS AND STATISTICS

We discuss the possibility of unusual statistics in four dimensional string theory through the use of Aharonov-Bohm like phases. Such phases are closely related to anomaly cancellation in four dimensions and thus can be exactly calculated in terms of the low energy fermion spectrum of the theory. We illustrate this connection by calculating the statistical phases exactly in sample models of heterotic string compactification. We discuss some of the difficulties in applying these ideas to fundamental strings, and mention some possible applications to cosmic string scenarios. © 1990.