arXiv2026
It was recently shown that the decoupling limits leading to matrix (gauge) theories on D-branes give rise to non-Lorentzian target space geometries. Perturbatively, matrix theory describes a quantum gravity theory whose low-energy supergravity description exhibits non-Lorentzian behavior. Focusing on the D-particle case associated with the Banks-Fischler-Shenker-Susskind matrix theory, and using techniques from ambitwistor string theory, we show evidence that the dynamics of this non-Lorentzian gravity should be related to anomalies in the current algebra of the associated fundamental string worldsheet theory. At large N, the D-particle backreaction deforms the non-Lorentzian supergravity to the Lorentzian IIA theory, providing a holographic description of the BFSS matrix theory. At a moderately large N such that the D-particles decouple at the leading order, this non-Lorentzian supergravity maps holographically to the leading-order contribution of weakly coupled bulk gravity. This approximately non-Lorentzian regime is related to the null reduction of eleven-dimensional supergravity. Within the non-Lorentzian supergravity, non-trivial dynamics arises from the backreaction of extended brane objects that form BPS states with the D-particles. Finally, we generalize these results to other D-brane and string soliton holographic constructions.