The Geometry of ZZ-branes
We show how non-compact (quantum 2d AdS) space-time emerges for specific ratios of the square of the boundary cosmological constant to the cosmological constant in 2d Euclidean quantum gravity.
hep-th↗
arXiv subjects
J. Ambjorn
Publications and source records attributed to J. Ambjorn.
An Integrable Model with non-reducible three particle R-Matrix
We define an integrable lattice model which, in the notation of Yang, in addition to the conventional 2-particle $R$-matrices also contains non-reducible 3-particle $R$-matrices. The corresponding modified Yang-Baxter equations are solved and an expression for the transfer matrix is found as a normal ordered exponential of a (non-local) Hamiltonian.
cond-mat.stat-mech↗
3D Lorentzian Quantum Gravity from the asymmetric ABAB matrix model
The asymmetric ABAB-matrix model describes the transfer matrix of three-dimensional Lorentzian quantum gravity. We study perturbatively the scaling of the ABAB-matrix model in the neighbourhood of its symmetric solution and deduce the associated renormalization of three-dimensional Lorentzian quantum gravity.
hep-th↗
The Factorization Method for Monte Carlo Simulations of Systems With a Complex Action
We propose a method for Monte Carlo simulations of systems with a complex action. The method has the advantages of being in principle applicable to any such system and provides a solution to the overlap problem. In some cases, like in the IKKT matrix model, a finite size scaling extrapolation can provide results for systems whose size would make it prohibitive to simulate directly.
hep-lat↗
Renormalization of 3d quantum gravity from matrix models
Lorentzian simplicial quantum gravity is a non-perturbatively defined theory of quantum gravity which predicts a positive cosmological constant. Since the approach is based on a sum over space-time histories, it is perturbatively non-renormalizable even in three dimensions. By mapping the three-dimensional theory to a two-matrix model with ABAB interaction we show that both the cosmological and the (perturbatively) non-renormalizable gravitational coupling constant undergo additive renormalizations consistent with canonical quantization.
hep-th↗
Stripes from (noncommutative) stars
We show that lattice regularization of noncommutative field theories can be used to study non-perturbative vacuum phases. Specifically we provide evidence for the existence of a striped phase in two-dimensional noncommutative scalar field theory
hep-lat↗
String Theory in Electromagnetic Fields
A review of various aspects of superstrings in background electromagnetic fields is presented. Topics covered include the Born-Infeld action, spectrum of open strings in background gauge fields, the Schwinger mechanism, finite-temperature formalism and Hagedorn behaviour in external fields, Debye screening, D-brane scattering, thermodynamics of D-branes, and noncommutative field and string theories on D-branes. The electric field instabilities are emphasized throughout and contrasted with the case of magnetic fields. A new derivation of the velocity-dependent potential between moving D-branes is presented, as is a new result for the velocity corrections to the one-loop thermal effective potential.
hep-th↗
The factorization method for systems with a complex action -a test in Random Matrix Theory for finite density QCD-
Monte Carlo simulations of systems with a complex action are known to be extremely difficult. A new approach to this problem based on a factorization property of distribution functions of observables has been proposed recently. The method can be applied to any system with a complex action, and it eliminates the so-called overlap problem completely. We test the new approach in a Random Matrix Theory for finite density QCD, where we are able to reproduce the exact results for the quark number density. The achieved system size is large enough to extract the thermodynamic limit. Our results provide a clear understanding of how the expected first order phase transition is induced by the imaginary part of the action.
hep-lat↗
Interpolating between open and closed strings - a BSFT approach
We address the conjecture that at the tachyonic vacuum open strings get transformed into closed strings. We show that it is possible in the context of boundary string field theory to interpolate between the conventional open string theory, characterized by having the D25 brane as the boundary state, and an off-shell (open) string theory where the boundary state is identified with the closed string vacuum, where holomorphic and antiholomorphic modes decouple and where bulk vertex operator correlation functions are identical to those of the closed string.
hep-th↗
A Lorentzian cure for Euclidean troubles
There is strong evidence coming from Lorentzian dynamical triangulations that the unboundedness of the gravitational action is no obstacle to the construction of a well-defined non-perturbative path integral. In a continuum approach, a similar suppression of the conformal divergence comes about as the result of a non-trivial path-integral measure.
hep-th↗
Strings, quantum gravity and non-commutative geometry on the lattice
I review recent progress in understanding non-perturbative aspects of string theory, quantum gravity and non-commutative geometry using lattice methods.
hep-lat↗
3d Lorentzian, Dynamically Triangulated Quantum Gravity
The model of Lorentzian three-dimensional dynamical triangulations provides a non-perturbative definition of three-dimensional quantum gravity. The theory has two phases: a weak-coupling phase with quantum fluctuations around a ``semiclassical'' background geometry which is generated dynamically despite the fact that the formulation is explicitly background-independent, and a strong-coupling phase where ``classical'' space disintegrates into a foam of baby universes.
hep-lat↗
Simplicial Euclidean and Lorentzian Quantum Gravity
One can try to define the theory of quantum gravity as the sum over geometries. In two dimensions the sum over {\it Euclidean} geometries can be performed constructively by the method of {\it dynamical triangulations}. One can define a {\it proper-time} propagator. This propagator can be used to calculate generalized Hartle-Hawking amplitudes and it can be used to understand the the fractal structure of {\it quantum geometry}. In higher dimensions the philosophy of defining the quantum theory, starting from a sum over Euclidean geometries, regularized by a reparametrization invariant cut off which is taken to zero, seems not to lead to an interesting continuum theory. The reason for this is the dominance of singular Euclidean geometries. Lorentzian geometries with a global causal structure are less singular. Using the framework of dynamical triangulations it is possible to give a constructive definition of the sum over such geometries, In two dimensions the theory can be solved analytically. It differs from two-dimensional Euclidean quantum gravity, and the relation between the two theories can be understood. In three dimensions the theory avoids the pathologies of three-dimensional Euclidean quantum gravity. General properties of the four-dimensional discretized theory have been established, but a detailed study of the continuum limit in the spirit of the renormalization group and {\it asymptotic safety} is till awaiting.
gr-qc↗
3D Ising Model on Dual BCC Lattice: the Sign-Factor
The 3d Ising model on a regular cubic lattice can be expressed in terms of an SU(2) 2d fermionic model with a $Z_2$-fluxes. We modify the model such that it is defined on the dual to a body centered cubic lattice. The advantage of this lattice is that 2d embedded surfaces have no selfintersections, thus partially avoiding the Sign-factor problem associated with the 2d fermionoc models related to the 3d Ising model. Rather than solving the full SU(2) fermionic theory on this lattice we study the simpler model of scalar fermions and find the spectrum of excitations. The model has no mass gap. We reformulate the model using the R-formalism and a new interesting structure appears due to the necessity of introducing a three-paticle matrix $R^{(3)}_{ijk}$. It encodes the essential character of the Sign-factor. We analyse the integrability properties of this class of models.
cond-mat↗
Real--time dynamics of a hot Yang-Mills theory: a numerical analysis
We discuss recent results obtained from simulations of high temperature, classical, real time dynamics of SU(2) Yang-Mills theory at temperatures of the order of the electroweak scale. Measurements of gauge covariant and gauge invariant autocorrelations of the fields indicate that the ASY-Bodecker scenario is irrelevant at these temperatures.
hep-lat↗
On the Quantum Geometry of String Theory
The IKKT or IIB matrix model has been proposed as a non-perturbative definition of type IIB superstring theories. It has the attractive feature that space--time appears dynamically. It is possible that lower dimensional universes dominate the theory, therefore providing a dynamical solution to the reduction of space--time dimensionality. We summarize recent works that show the central role of the phase of the fermion determinant in the possible realization of such a scenario.
hep-lat↗
Lorentzian 3d Gravity with Wormholes via Matrix Models
We uncover a surprising correspondence between a non-perturbative formulation of three-dimensional Lorentzian quantum gravity and a hermitian two-matrix model with ABAB-interaction. The gravitational transfer matrix can be expressed as the logarithm of a two-matrix integral, and we deduce from the known structure of the latter that the model has two phases. In the phase of weak gravity, well-defined two-dimensional universes propagate in proper time, whereas in the strong-coupling phase the spatial hypersurfaces disintegrate into many components connected by wormholes.
hep-th↗
Dynamically Triangulating Lorentzian Quantum Gravity
Fruitful ideas on how to quantize gravity are few and far between. In this paper, we give a complete description of a recently introduced non-perturbative gravitational path integral whose continuum limit has already been investigated extensively in d less than 4, with promising results. It is based on a simplicial regularization of Lorentzian space-times and, most importantly, possesses a well-defined, non-perturbative Wick rotation. We present a detailed analysis of the geometric and mathematical properties of the discretized model in d=3,4. This includes a derivation of Lorentzian simplicial manifold constraints, the gravitational actions and their Wick rotation. We define a transfer matrix for the system and show that it leads to a well-defined self-adjoint Hamiltonian. In view of numerical simulations, we also suggest sets of Lorentzian Monte Carlo moves. We demonstrate that certain pathological phases found previously in Euclidean models of dynamical triangulations cannot be realized in the Lorentzian case.
hep-th↗