We show that the D-instanton in the $AdS_5 \times S^5$ background is a wormhole connecting the background $AdS_5 \times S^5$ to the flat space $\bf R^{ 10}$ located at the position of the D-instanton. By a $SL(2,{ \bf R})$ rotation of type IIB theory, we can make the { \it global} geometry flat in string frame. We also find that, due to the tight relation between the dilaton and the axion, there is no $SL(2,{ \bf R})$ element that takes strong string coupling to weak one without making the axion ill defined. We also discuss the case of $AdS_3$ as well as the instanton gases. A subtlety on the D-instanton at the boundary or at the horizon is discussed.
Categories: hep-th