Matrix string theory

Nuclear Physics B, 1999

The Matrix String Theory, i.e. the two dimensional U(N) SYM with N = (8, 8) supersymmetry, has classical BPS solutions that interpolate between an initial and a final string configuration via a bordered Riemann surface. The Matrix String Theory amplitudes around such a classical BPS background, in the strong Yang-Mills coupling, are therefore candidates to be interpreted in a stringy way as the transition amplitude between given initial and final string configurations. In this paper we calculate these amplitudes and show that the leading contribution is proportional to the factor g −χ s , where χ is the Euler characteristic of the interpolating Riemann surface and g s is the string coupling. This is the factor one expects from perturbative string interaction theory.

Nuclear Physics B, 1999

We quantize pure 2d Yang-Mills theory on a torus in the gauge where the field strength is diagonal. Because of the topological obstructions to a global smooth diagonalization, we find string-like states in the spectrum similar to the ones introduced by various authors in Matrix string theory. We write explicitly the partition function, which generalizes the one already known in the literature, and we discuss the role of these states in preserving modular invariance. Some speculations are presented about the interpretation of 2d Yang-Mills theory as a Matrix string theory.

Physics Letters B, 1999

Starting with the ordinary ten-dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory for the gauge group U(N), we obtain a twelve-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory as the large N limit. The two symplectic canonical coordinates parametrizing the unitary N × N matrices for U(N) are identified with the extra coordinates in twelve dimensions in the N → ∞ limit. Applying further a strong/weak duality, we get the 'decompactified' twelve-dimensional theory. The resulting twelvedimensional theory has peculiar gauge symmetry which is compatible also with supersymmetry. We also establish a corresponding new superspace formulation with the extra coordinates. By performing a dimensional reduction from twelve dimensions directly into three dimensions, we see that the Poisson bracket terms which are needed for identification with supermembrane action arises naturally. This result indicates an universal duality mechanism that the 't Hooft limit of an arbitrary supersymmetric theory promotes the original supersymmetric theory in (D − 1, 1) dimensions into a theory in (D, 2) dimensions with an additional pair of space-time coordinates. This also indicates interesting dualities between supermembrane theory, type IIA superstring with D0-branes, and the recently-discovered twelve-dimensional supersymmetric theories.

String Theory in a Nutshell, 2011

It is generally accepted that the double-scaled 1D matrix model is equivalent to the c = 1 string theory with tachyon condensation. There remain however puzzles that are to be claried in order to utilize this connection for our quest towards possible non-perturbative formulation of string theory. W e discuss some of the issues that are related to the space-time interpretation of matrix models, in particular, the questions of leg poles, causality, and black hole background. Finally, a speculation about a possible connection of a deformed matrix model with the idea of Dirichret brane is presented.

2016

It is generally accepted that the double-scaled 1D matrix model is equivalent to the c = 1 string theory with tachyon condensation. There remain however puzzles that are to be clarified in order to utilize this connection for our quest towards possible non-perturbative formulation of string theory. We discuss some of the issues that are related to the space-time interpretation of matrix models, in particular, the questions of leg poles, causality, and black hole background. Finally, a speculation about a possible connection of a deformed matrix model with the idea of Dirichret brane is presented.

Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements, 2000

We consider two-dimensional Yang-Mills theories on arbitrary Riemann surfaces. We introduce a generalized Yang-Mills action, which coincides with the ordinary one on flat surfaces but differs from it in its coupling to two-dimensional gravity. The quantization of this theory in the unitary gauge can be consistently performed taking into account all the topological sectors arising from the gauge-fixing procedure. The resulting theory is naturally interpreted as a Matrix String Theory, that is as a theory of covering maps from a two-dimensional world-sheet to the target Riemann surface.

Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements, 1997

Taking the N=2 strings as the starting point, we discuss the equivalent self-dual field theories and analyse their symmetry structure in 2 + 2 dimensions. Restoring the full 'Lorentz' invariance in the target space necessarily leads to an extension of the N=2 string theory to a theory of 2 + 2 dimensional supermembranes propagating in 2 + 10 dimensional target space. The supermembrane requires maximal conformal supersymmetry in 2 + 2 dimensions, in the way advocated by Siegel. The corresponding self-dual N=4 Yang-Mills theory and the self-dual N=8 (gauged) supergravity in 2+2 dimensions thus appear to be naturally associated to the membrane theory, not a string. Since the same theory of membranes seems to represent the M-theory which is apparently underlying the all known N=1 string theories, the N=2 strings now appear on equal footing with the other string models as particular limits of the unique fundamental theory. Unlike the standard 10-dimensional superstrings, the N=2 strings seem to be much closer to a membrane description of the F & M theory.

Modern Physics Letters A, 1998

We study a configuration of a parallel F- (fundamental) and D-string in IIB string theory by considering its T-dual configuration in the matrix model description of M-theory. We show that certain nonperturbative features of string theory such as O(e-1/gs) effects due to soliton loops, the existence of bound state (1,1) strings and manifest S-duality, can be seen in matrix models. We discuss certain subtleties that arise in the large-N limit when membranes are wrapped around compact dimensions.

NATO ASI Series, 1997

Nuclear Physics B, 2001

We develop a systematic method of directly embedding supermembrane wrapped around a circle into matrix string theory. Our purpose is to study connection between matrix string and membrane from an entirely 11 dimensional point of view. The method does neither rely upon the DLCQ limit nor upon string dualities. In principle, this enables us to construct matrix string theory with arbitrary backgrounds from the corresponding supermembrane theory. As a simplest application of the formalism, the matrix-string action with a 7 brane background (Kaluza-Klein Melvin solution) with nontrivial RR vector field is given.

Physics Letters B, 1997

We discuss properties of D-brane configurations in the matrix model of type IIB superstring recently proposed by Ishibashi, Kawai, Kitazawa and Tsuchiya. We calculate central charges in supersymmetry algebra at infinite N and associate them with one-and five-branes present in IIB superstring theory. We consider classical solutions associated with static three-and five-branes and calculate their interactions at one loop in the matrix model. We discuss some aspects of the matrix-model formulation of IIB superstring.

Nuclear Physics B, 1993

We study the correspondence between the linear matrix model and the interacting nonlinear string theory. Starting from the simple matrix harmonic oscillator states, we derive in a direct way scattering amplitudes of 2-dimensional strings, exhibiting the nonlinear equation generating arbitrary N-point tree amplitudes. An even closer connection between the matrix model and the conformal string theory is seen in studies of the symmetry algebra of the system.

Arxiv preprint hep-th/9211085, 1992

We discuss the basic features of the double scaling limit of the one dimensional matrix model and its interpretation as a two dimensional string theory. Using the collective field theory formulation of the model we show how the fluctuations of the collective field can be interpreted as the massless "tachyon" of the two dimensional string in a linear dilaton background. We outline the basic physical properties of the theory and discuss the nature of the Smatrix. Finally we show that the theory admits of another interpretation in which a certain integral transform of the collective field behaves as the massless "tachyon" in the two dimensional string with a blackhole background. We show that both the classical background and the fluctuations are non-singular at the black hole singularity.

Nuclear Physics B, 1999

The correspondence between Matrix String Theory in the strong coupling limit and IIA superstring theory can be shown by means of the instanton solutions of the former. We construct the general instanton solutions of Matrix String Theory which interpolate between given initial and final string configurations. Each instanton is characterized by a Riemann surface of genus h with n punctures, which is realized as a plane curve. We study the moduli space of such plane curves and find out that, at finite N , it is a discretized version of the moduli space of Riemann surfaces: instead of 3h−3+n its complex dimensions are 2h − 3 + n, the remaining h dimensions being discrete. It turns out that as N tends to infinity, these discrete dimensions become continuous, and one recovers the full moduli space of string interaction theory.

International Journal of Modern Physics A, 2004

We develop a systematic procedure for deriving canonical string field theory from large N matrix models in the Berenstein-Maldacena-Nastase limit. The approach, based on collective field theory, provides a generalization of standard string field theory.