PU High Energy Theory Seminar

Abstract: I will introduce two new families of critical string theories in two dimensions and explain that, when viewed as two-dimensional quantum gravity on the worldsheet, each is equivalent to a matrix model. The first worldsheet string theory consists of Liouville CFT coupled to timelike Liouville CFT. Its dual double-scaled matrix integral has as its leading density of states the universal Cardy density of primaries in a two-dimensional CFT of central charge c. The duality holds for any value of the continuous parameter c and reduces to the JT gravity/matrix integral duality in the large central charge limit, providing a precise stringy realization of JT gravity. The second string theory I will present consists of two Liouville CFT’s with complex central charge. At the classical level, this theory is related to a 2d dilaton gravity theory that admits solutions with both signs of the cosmological constant. The dual of this second string theory is a two-matrix model characterized by a spectral curve with infinitely many branch points. 

Based on work with S. Collier, L. Eberhardt, and B. Mühlmann.