Fields and Symmetries of 2D Strings

We show that the most general two--matrix model with bilinear coupling underlies $c=1$ string theory. More precisely we prove that $W_{1+\infty}$ constraints, a subset of the correlation functions and the integrable hierarchy characterizing such two--matrix model, correspond exactly to the $W_{1+\infty}$ constraints, to the discrete tachyon correlation functions and to the integrable hierarchy of the $c=1$ string.

This paper is a shortened version of the previous work hep-th/9907099: We propose a topological quantum field theory as a twisted candidate to formulate covariant matrix strings. The model relies on the octonionic or complexified instanton equations defined on an eight dimensional manifold with reduced holonomy. To allow untwisting of the model without producing an anomaly, we suggest (partially twisted) W-gravity as an "extended" 2d-gravity sector.

Starting from $W_{\infty}$ as a fundamental symmetry and using the coadjoint orbit method, we derive an action for one dimensional strings. It is shown that on the simplest nontrivial orbit this gives the single scalar collective field theory. On higher orbits one finds generalized KdV type field theories with increasing number of components. Here the tachyon is coupled to higher tensor fields.

In this paper the $c=1$ string theory is studied from the point of view of topological field theories. Calculations are done for arbitrary genus. A change in the prescription is proposed, which reproduces the results of the $1/x^2$ deformed matrix model. It is proposed that the deformed matrix model is related to a D-series Landau-Ginzburg superpotential.

Quantization of two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory on a torus in the gauge where the field strength is diagonal leads to twisted sectors that are completely analogous to the ones that originate long string states in Matrix String Theory. If these sectors are taken into account the partition function is different from the standard one found in the literature and the invariance of the theory under modular transformations of the torus appears to hold in a stronger sense. The twis...

This paper analyzes spacetime symmetries of topological string theory on a two dimensional torus, and points out that the spacetime geometry of the model is that of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. Previously I found an infinite symmetry algebra in the absolute BRST cohomology of the model. Here I find an analog of the BV $\Delta$ operator, and show that it defines a natural semirelative BRST cohomology. In the absolute cohomology, the ghost-number-zero symmetries form the a...

We investigate the field theory of strings having as a target space an arbitrary discrete one-dimensional manifold. The existence of the continuum limit is guaranteed if the target space is a Dynkin diagram of a simply laced Lie algebra or its affine extension. In this case the theory can be mapped onto the theory of strings embedded in the infinite discrete line $\Z$ which is the target space of the SOS model. On the regular lattice this mapping is known as Coulomb gas pictu...

We construct a topological Landau-Ginzburg formulation of the two-dimensional string at the self-dual radius. The model is an analytic continuation of the $A_{k+1}$ minimal model to $k=-3$. We compute the superpotential and calculate tachyon correlators in the Landau-Ginzburg framework. The results are in complete agreement with matrix model calculations. We identify the momentum one tachyon as the puncture operator, non-negative momentum tachyons as primary fields, and negat...

In the Matrix Quantum Mechanical formulation of 2D string theory it is possible to introduce arbitrary tachyonic perturbations. In the case when the tachyonic momenta form a lattice, the theory is known to be integrable and, therefore, it can be used to describe the corresponding string theory. We study the backgrounds of string theory obtained from these matrix model solutions. They are found to be flat but the perturbations can change the global structure of the target spac...

We develop the idea for a new string field theory of ours that was proposed earlier in a very rudimentary form in a talk in the Symposium of Tohwa University [1]. The main point is to describe the system of strings in the Universe by means of the images of the derivatives of the right and left mover parts of the 26-position vector on the strings w.r.t. tau. The major progress since the Tohwa-talks [1] is to imagine a discretization of the variables on which right and left mov...