1:30 pm MCP 201
Deriving the Simplest Gauge-String Duality.
I will give an overview of my work with Rajesh Gopakumar on deriving the closed string dual to the simplest possible gauge theory, a Hermitian matrix integral. These matrix theories are studied in the conventional ‘t Hooft limit, i.e. they do not require any further double-scaling. I’ll present and verify an explicit operator dictionary between matrix traces and vertex operators in the closed A- and B-model topological string worldsheet descriptions. I will discuss the more general idea of open-closed-open triality which allows us to establish this dictionary. We will then sketch how the tools of Strebel differentials and topological recursion reveal the underlying mechanics of this open/closed string correspondence. I’ll close by embedding our results in the broader context of AdS/CFT.