arXiv subjects

Edward Witten

Publications and source records attributed to Edward Witten.

239 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

arXiv1992

Two Dimensional Gauge Theories Revisited

Topological gravity is equivalent to physical gravity in two dimensions in a way that is still mysterious, though by now it has been proved by Kontsevich. In this paper it is shown that a similar relation between topological and physical Yang-Mills theory holds in two dimensions; in this case, however, the relation can be explained by a direct mapping between the two path integrals. This (1) explains many strange facts about two dimensional Yang-Mills theory, like the way the partition function can be expressed exactly as a sum over classical solutions, including unstable ones; (2) makes the corresponding topological theory completely computable.

hep-th↗

arXiv1992

Algebraic Structures and Differential Geometry in 2D String Theory

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 theory, we compute the action of the symmetries on the tachyon field, and isolate the features that lead to nonlinear terms in this action. The resulting symmetry structure is interpreted in terms of a homotopy Lie algebra.

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arXiv1991

Mirror Manifolds And Topological Field Theory

These notes are devoted to explaining aspects of the mirror manifold problem that can be naturally understood from the point of view of topological field theory. Basically this involves studying the topological field theories made by twisting $N=2$ sigma models. This is mainly a review of old results, except for the discussion in \S7 of certain facts that may be relevant to constructing the ``mirror map'' between mirror moduli spaces.

hep-th↗

arXiv1991

On Black Holes In String Theory

In these lecture notes from Strings `91, I briefly sketch the analogy between two dimensional black holes and the s-wave sector of four dimensional black holes, and the physical interest of the latter, particularly in the magnetically charged case.

hep-th↗

arXiv1991

Ground Ring Of Two Dimensional String Theory

String theories with two dimensional space-time target spaces are characterized by the existence of a ``ground ring'' of operators of spin $(0,0)$. By understanding this ring, one can understand the symmetries of the theory and illuminate the relation of the critical string theory to matrix models. The symmetry groups that arise are, roughly, the area preserving diffeomorphisms of a two dimensional phase space that preserve the fermi surface (of the matrix model) and the volume preserving diffeomorphisms of a three dimensional cone. The three dimensions in question are the matrix eigenvalue, its canonical momentum, and the time of the matrix model.

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