Fields and Symmetries of 2D Strings

We consider two dimensional string backgrounds. We discuss the physics of long strings that come from infinity. These are related to non-singlets in the dual matrix model description.

This is a review article in which we will introduce, in a unifying fashion and with more intermediate steps in some difficult calculations, two infinite-dimensional Lie algebras of quantum matrix models, one for the open string sector and one for the closed string sector. Physical observables of quantum matrix models in the large-N limit can be expressed as elements of these Lie algebras. We will see that both algebras arise as quotient algebras of a larger Lie algebra. We wi...

We review some aspects of the non-perturbative formulation of 2-dim. string theory in terms of non-relativistic fermions. We derive the bosonization using $W_\infty$ coherent states in the path-integral formulation. We discuss the classical limit and indicate the precise nature of the truncation of the full theory that leads to collective field theory. As applications we briefly discuss classical solutions reponsible for stringy non-perturbative effects and the 2-dim. black-h...

We study the couplings of discrete states that appear in the string theory embedded in two dimensions, and show that they are given by the structure constants of the group of area preserving diffeomorphisms. We propose an effective action for these states, which is itself invariant under this infinite-dimensional group.

A careful treatment of closed string BRST cohomology shows that there are more discrete states and associated symmetries in $D=2$ string theory than has been recognized hitherto. The full structure, at the $SU(2)$ radius, has a natural description in terms of abelian gauge theory on a certain three dimensional cone $Q$. We describe precisely how symmetry currents are constructed from the discrete states, explaining the role of the ``descent equations.'' In the uncompactified ...

This paper summarizes our rather lengthy paper, "Algebra of the Infrared: String Field Theoretic Structures in Massive ${\cal N}=(2,2)$ Field Theory In Two Dimensions," and is meant to be an informal, yet detailed, introduction and summary of that larger work.

Talk given at the 26th Workshop: ``From Superstrings to Supergravity", Erice - Sicily, 5-12 December 1992. We review the superconformal properties of 2d matter coupled to gravity, and extensions thereof. Focusing on topological strings, we recall how the superconformal structure helps to provide a direct link between Liouville theory coupled to matter, and matrix models. We also construct an infinite class of new theories based on $W$-gravity.

In this note, we review the recent developments in the string field theory in the temporal gauge. (Based on a talk presented by N.I. in the workshop {\it Quantum Field Theory, Integrable Models and Beyond}, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, 14-18 February 1994.)

After a brief review of critical string theory in trivial backgrounds we begin with introduction to strings in non--trivial backgrounds and noncritical string theory. In particular, we relate the latter to critical string theory in a linear dilaton background. We then show how a black hole background arises from 2D string theory and discuss some of its properties. A time--dependant tachyon background is constructed by perturbing the CFT describing string theory in a linear ...

We show that almost all string theories, including the bosonic string, the superstring and $W$-string theories, possess a twisted N=2 superconformal symmetry. This enables us to establish a connection between topological gravity and the field theoretical description of matter coupled to gravity. We also show how the \brs operators of the $W_n$-string can be obtained by hamiltonian reduction of $SL(n|n-1)$. The tachyonic and ground ring states of $W$-strings are described in t...