Quantum gravity, random geometry and critical phenomena
- Syracuse Univ., NY (United States)
The authors discuss the theory of non-critical strings with extrinsic curvature embedded in a target space dimension d greater than one. They emphasize the analogy between 2d gravity coupled to matter and non self-avoiding liquid-like membranes with bending rigidity. They first outline the exact solution for strings in dimensions d < 1 via the double scaling limit of matrix models and then discuss the difficulties of an extension to d > 1. Evidence from recent and ongoing numerical simulations of dynamically triangulated random surfaces indicate that there is a non-trivial crossover from a crumpled to an extended surface as the bending rigidity is increased. If the cross-over is a true second order phase transition corresponding to a critical point there is the exciting possibility of obtaining a well defined continuum string theory for d > 1. 28 refs., 8 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-85ER40231
- OSTI ID:
- 7017405
- Journal Information:
- General Relativity and Gravitation; (United States), Vol. 24:12; ISSN 0001-7701
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Random surfaces in lattice QCD and string theory
Critical dimension of strings with an extrinsic curvature
Related Subjects
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
QUANTUM GRAVITY
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEMBRANES
STRING MODELS
TOPOLOGY
COMPOSITE MODELS
EXTENDED PARTICLE MODEL
FIELD THEORIES
MATHEMATICS
PARTICLE MODELS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUARK MODEL
662110* - General Theory of Particles & Fields- Theory of Fields & Strings- (1992-)
661310 - Relativity & Gravitation- (1992-)
990200 - Mathematics & Computers