It was recently shown in arXiv:2009.11306 that tree-level correlation functions in tensionless string theory on $\rm{AdS}_3\times\rm{S}^3\times\mathbb{T}^4$ match the expected form of correlation functions in the symmetric orbifold CFT on $\mathbb{T}^4$ in the large $N$ limit. This analysis utilized the free-field realization of the $\mathfrak{psu}(1,1|2)_1$ Wess-Zumino-Witten model, along with a surprising identity directly relating these correlation functions to a branched covering of the boundary of $\rm{AdS}_3$. In particular, this identity implied the unusual feature that the string theory correlators localize to points in the moduli space for which the worldsheet covers the boundary of $\rm{AdS}_3$ with specified branching near the insertion points. In this work we generalize this analysis past the tree-level approximation, demonstrating its validity to higher genus worldsheets, and in turn providing strong evidence for this incarnation of the $\rm{AdS}/\rm{CFT}$ correspondence at all orders in perturbation theory.
When $N$ five-branes of M-theory coincide the world-volume theory contains tensionless strings, according to Strominger's construction. This suggests a large $N$ limit of tensionless string theories. For the small $E_8$ instanton theories, the definition would be a large instanton number. An adiabatic argument suggests that in the large $N$ limit an effective extra uncompactified dimension might be observed. We also propose ``surface-equations'', which are an analog of Makeenko-Migdal loop-equations, and might describe correlators in the tensionless string theories. In these equations, the ant…
We test various conjectures about quantum gravity for six-dimensional string compactifications in the framework of F-theory. Starting with a gauge theory coupled to gravity, we analyze the limit in Kähler moduli space where the gauge coupling tends to zero while gravity is kept dynamical. We show that such a limit must be located at infinite distance in the moduli space. As expected, the low-energy effective theory breaks down in this limit due to a tower of charged particles becoming massless. These are the excitations of an asymptotically tensionless string, which is shown to coincide with a…
We develop an iterative algorithm for the genus expansion of the hermitian $N\times N$ one-matrix model ( = the Penner model in an external field). By introducing moments of the external field, we prove that the genus $g$ contribution to the $m$-loop correlator depends only on $3g-2+m$ lower moments ($3g-2$ for the partition function). We present the explicit results for the partition function and the one-loop correlator in genus one. We compare the correlators for the hermitian one-matrix model with those at zero momenta for $c=1$ CFT and show an agreement of the one-loop correlators for genu…
We describe an iterative scheme which allows us to calculate any multi-loop correlator for the complex matrix model to any genus using only the first in the chain of loop equations. The method works for a completely general potential and the results contain no explicit reference to the couplings. The genus $g$ contribution to the $m$--loop correlator depends on a finite number of parameters, namely at most $4g-2+m$. We find the generating functional explicitly up to genus three. We show as well that the model is equivalent to an external field problem for the complex matrix model with a logari…
We continue our study of the worldsheet theory of superstrings on $\mathrm{AdS}_3 \times \mathrm{S}^3 \times \mathbb{T}^4$ in the tensionless limit arXiv:1911.00378. We consider the theory on higher genus surfaces. We give evidence that the worldsheet correlators localise on certain worldsheets that cover the boundary of $\mathrm{AdS}_3$ holomorphically. This simplifies the string moduli space integral dramatically to a finite sum. This property shows that the higher genus corrections of the string worldsheet reproduce the structure of the $1/N$ corrections in the dual symmetric orbifold CFT $…
Using the conformal embedding on the torus, we can express some characters of $SU(3)_3$ in terms of $SO(8)_1$ characters. Then with the help of crossing symmetry, modular transformation and factorization properties of Green functions, we will calculate a class of correlators of $SU(3)_3$ on arbitrary Riemann surfaces. This method can apply to all $k>1$ WZW models which can be conformally embedded in some $k=1$ WZW models.
We consider the free field approach or bosonization technique for the Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten model with arbitrary Kac-Moody algebra on Riemann surface of genus zero. This subject was much studied previously, and the paper can be partially taken as a brief survey. The way to obtain well-known Schechtman-Varchenko solutions of the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations as certain correlators in free chiral theory is revisited. This gives rise to simple description of space of the WZNW conformal blocks. The general $N$-point correlators of the model are constructed from the conformal blocks using n…
An iterative scheme is set up for solving the loop equation of the hermitian one-matrix model with a multi-cut structure. Explicit results are presented for genus one for an arbitrary but finite number of cuts. Due to the complicated form of the boundary conditions, the loop correlators now contain elliptic integrals. This demonstrates the existence of new universality classes for the hermitian matrix model. The two-cut solution is investigated in more detail, including the double-scaling limit. It is shown, that in special cases it differs from the known continuum solution with one cut.
We systematically study the factorization and recursion relations in higher genus correlation functions of BMN (Berenstein-Maldacena-Nastase) operators in free N=4 super Yang Mills theory. These properties were found in a previous paper by the author, and were conjectured to result from the correspondence with type IIB string theory on the infinitely curved pp-wave background, where the strings become effectively infinitely long. Here we push the calculations to higher genus, provide more clarifications and verifications of the factorization and recursion relations. Our calculations provide co…
We consider the four-point function of the stress tensor multiplet superprimary in $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills (SYM) with gauge group $SU(N)$ in the large $N$ and large 't Hooft coupling $λ\equiv g_\text{YM}^2N$ limit, which is holographically dual to the genus expansion of IIB string theory on $AdS_5\times S^5$. In \cite{Binder:2019jwn} it was shown that the integral of this correlator is related to derivatives of the mass deformed $\mathcal{N}=2^*$ sphere free energy, which was computed using supersymmetric localization to leading order in $1/N^2$ for finite $λ$. We generalize this comp…
We continue our study of string correlators on Euclidean $\text{AdS}_3$ with pure NS-NS flux. The worldsheet and spacetime correlators have a rich analytic structure, which we analyse completely for genus 0 four-point functions. We show that correlators exhibit a simple behaviour near their singularities. The spacetime correlators are meromorphic functions in the $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{R})$-spins, whose pole structure is shown to agree with the prediction of a recent proposal for the dual $\text{CFT}_2$. Moreover, we also compute the residues of the spacetime correlators for some of the poles …
In the BMN approach to N=4 SYM a large class of correlators of interest are expressible in terms of expectation values of traces of words in a zero-dimensional Gaussian complex matrix model. We develop a loop-equation based, analytic strategy for evaluating such expectation values to any order in the genus expansion. We reproduce the expectation values which were needed for the calculation of the one-loop, genus one correction to the anomalous dimension of BMN-operators and which were earlier obtained by combinatorial means. Furthermore, we present the expectation values needed for the calcula…
We study non-planar correlators in ${\cal N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills in Mellin space. We focus in the stress tensor four-point correlator to order $1/N^4$ and in a strong coupling expansion. This can be regarded as the genus-one four-point graviton amplitude of type IIB string theory on $AdS_5 \times S^5$ in a low energy expansion. Both the loop supergravity result as well as the tower of stringy corrections have a remarkable simple structure in Mellin space, making manifest important properties such as the correct flat space limit and the structure of UV divergences.
We consider a fundamental string in a bubbling geometry of arbitrary genus dual to a half-supersymmetric Wilson loop in a general large representation $\mathbf{R}$ of the $SU(N)$ gauge group in ${\cal N}=4$ Supersymmetric Yang-Mills. We demonstrate, under some mild conditions, that the minimum value of the string classical action for a bubbling geometry of arbitrary genus precisely matches the correlator of a Wilson loop in the fundamental representation and one in a general large representation. We work out the case in which the large representation is given by a rectangular Young Tableau, co…
We compute exact solutions of two--matrix models, i.e. detailed genus by genus expressions for the correlation functions of these theories, calculated without any approximation. We distinguish between two types of models, the unconstrained and the constrained ones. Unconstrained two--matrix models represent perturbations of $c=1$ string theory, while the constrained ones correspond to topological field theories coupled to topological gravity. Among the latter we treat in particular detail the ones based on the KdV and on the Boussinesq hierarchies.
We study multi-boundary correlators in 2d Witten-Kontsevich topological gravity. We present a proof of the loop equations obeyed by the correlators. While the loop equations were derived a long time ago, our proof is fully explicit in the presence of general couplings $t_k$. We clarify all the details, in particular the treatment of the genus zero part of the one-boundary correlator. The loop equations are verified by several new examples, including the correlators of Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity in the genus expansion and the exact correlators in the Airy case. We also discuss the free boson/fer…
Non-relativistic ABJM theory is defined by Galilean limit of mass-deformed N=6 Chern-Simons theory. Holographic string theory dual to the theory is not known yet. To understand features candidate gravity dual might exhibit, we examine local and nonlocal physical observables and their correlations in the non-relativistic ABJM theory. We show that gauge invariant local observables correspond to zero-norm states and that correlation functions among them are trivial. We also show that a particular class of nonlocal observables, Wilson loops, are topological in the sense that their correlation func…
We explore and exploit the relation between non-planar correlators in ${\cal N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills, and higher-genus closed string amplitudes in type IIB string theory. By conformal field theory techniques we construct the genus-one, four-point string amplitude in AdS$_5\times S^5$ in the low-energy expansion, dual to an ${\cal N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills correlator in the 't Hooft limit at order $1/c^2$ in a strong coupling expansion. In the flat space limit, this maps onto the genus-one, four-point scattering amplitude for type II closed strings in ten dimensions. Using this approach we reproduc…
In this note we compare planar correlators such as $< \prod_i^n Tr M^{2k_i} >$ in the Gaussian matrix model with corresponding genus zero correlators of the A-model topological string theory on $P^1$. We find a simple relation between them which provides additional evidence for the duality between the two theories, as proposed in arXiv:1104.2386.
We compute higher-point superstring correlators involving spin fields in various even space-time dimensions D at tree-level and to arbitrary loop order. This generalizes previous work in D=4 space-time dimensions. The main focus are D=6,8 and D=10 superstring compactifications for which correlation functions with four and more spin fields are computed. More precisely, we present every non-vanishing six-point function. A number of results can even be derived for arbitrary D. A closed formula for the correlators <psi ... psi SS> with any number of fermions psi and two spin fields S in D space-ti…
We study the $(1,q=-1)$ model coupled to topological gravity as a candidate to describing $2d$ string theory at the self-dual radius. We define the model by analytical continuation of $q>1$ topological recursion relations to $q=-1$. We show that at genus zero the $q=-1$ recursion relations yield the $W_{1+\infty}$ Ward identities for tachyon correlators on the sphere. A scheme for computing correlation functions of $q=-1$ gravitational descendants is proposed and applied for the computation of several correlators. It is suggested that the latter correspond to correlators of discrete states of …
We analyse topological orbifold conformal field theories on the symmetric product of a complex surface M. By exploiting the mathematics literature we show that a canonical quotient of the operator ring has structure constants given by Hurwitz numbers. This proves a conjecture in the physics literature on extremal correlators. Moreover, it allows to leverage results on the combinatorics of the symmetric group to compute more structure constants explicitly. We recall that the full orbifold chiral ring is given by a symmetric orbifold Frobenius algebra. This construction enables the computation o…
The discrete states of $c=1$ string theory at the self-dual radius are associated with modes of $W_{1+\infty}$ currents and their genus zero correlators are computed. An analogy to a recent suggestion based on the integrable structure of the theory is found. An iterative method for deriving the dependence of the currents on the full space of couplings is presented and applied. The dilaton equation of the theory is derived.
In the type IIB maximally supersymmetric pp-wave background, stringy excited modes are described by BMN (Berenstein-Madalcena-Nastase) operators in the dual $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills theory. In this paper, we continue the studies of higher genus free BMN correlators with more stringy modes, mostly focusing on the case of genus one and four stringy modes in different transverse directions. Surprisingly, we find that the non negativity of torus two-point functions, which is a consequence of a previously proposed probability interpretation and has been verified in the cases with two and th…
We employ the free field realisation of the $\mathfrak{psu}(1,1|2)_1$ world-sheet theory to constrain the correlators of string theory on ${\rm AdS}_3\times {\rm S}^3\times \mathbb{T}^4$ with unit NS-NS flux. In particular, we directly obtain the unusual delta function localisation of these correlators onto branched covers of the boundary ${\rm S}^2$ by the (genus zero) world-sheet -- this is the key property which makes the equivalence to the dual symmetric orbifold manifest. In our approach, this feature follows from a remarkable `incidence relation' obeyed by the correlators, which is remin…
Recently, we proposed a novel entry of the pp-wave holographic dictionary, which equated the Berenstein-Maldacena-Nastase (BMN) two-point functions in free $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills theory with the norm squares of the quantum unitary transition amplitudes between the corresponding tensionless strings in the infinite curvature limit, for the cases with no more than three string modes in different transverse directions. A seemingly highly non-trivial conjectural consequence, particularly in the case of three string modes, is the non-negativity of the BMN two-point functions at any higher …
We present an exact solution of the $O(n)$ model on a random lattice. The coupling constant space of our model is parametrized in terms of a set of moment variables and the same type of universality with respect to the potential as observed for the one-matrix model is found. In addition we find a large degree of universality with respect to $n$; namely for $n\in ]-2,2[$ the solution can be presented in a form which is valid not only for any potential, but also for any $n$ (not necessarily rational). The cases $n=\pm 2$ are treated separately. We give explicit expressions for the genus zero con…
In a previous paper we proposed a factorization principle for the correlation functions of Berenstein-Maldacena-Nastase (BMN) operators in free $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills theory. These correlators are conjectured to described physical string amplitudes in an infinitely curved Ramond-Ramond pp-wave background. There was a puzzle that the factorization seems to break down for $S$-channel in the $2\rightarrow 2$ scattering process. Here we resolve this puzzle by including some diagrams missed in the previous paper. We also observe some interesting relations which further support the interpr…
Based on the modular functor associated with a -- not necessarily semisimple -- finite non-degenerate ribbon category $\mathcal D$, we present a definition of a consistent system of bulk field correlators for a conformal field theory which comprises invariance under mapping class group actions and compatibility with the sewing of surfaces. We show that when restricting to surfaces of genus zero such systems are in bijection with commutative symmetric Frobenius algebras in $\mathcal D$, while for surfaces of any genus they are in bijection with modular Frobenius algebras in $\mathcal D$. This p…
Correlators in symmetric orbifold CFTs are given by a finite sum of admissible branched covers of the 2d spacetime. We consider a Gross-Mende like limit where all operators have large twist, and show that the corresponding branched covers can be described via a Penner-like matrix model. The limiting branched covers are given in terms of the spectral curve for this matrix model, which remarkably turns out to be directly related to the Strebel quadratic differential on the covering space. Interpreting the covering space as the world-sheet of the dual string theory, the spacetime CFT correlator t…
Recently Dorigoni, Green and Wen conjectured a remarkable exact formula for an integrated correlator of four superconformal primary operators in $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. In this work, we investigate its large $N$ limit in detail. We show that the formula of Dorigoni, Green and Wen can be recast into the sum over the contributions of $(p,q)$-strings. Due to the $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ duality, all the contributions are governed by a single function, typically appearing as the fundamental string contribution. The large order behavior for the perturbative genus expansion of th…
For a one-parameter family of Calabi-Yau d-fold M embedded in ${{CP}^{d+1}}$, we consider a new quasi-topological field theory ${A^{\ast}}$(M)-model compared with the $A$(M)-model. The two point correlators on the sigma model moduli space (the hermitian metrics) are analyzed by the $A{A^{\ast}}$-fusion on the world sheet sphere. A set of equations of these correlators turns out to be a non-affine A-type Toda equation system for the d-fold M. This non-affine property originates in the vanishing first Chern class of M. Using the results of the $A{A^{\ast}}$-equation, we obtain a genus one partit…
We propose a contour integral representation for the one-point correlators at genus one of the primaries of a family of rational logarithmic conformal field theories.
We continue the systematic study of the thermal partition function of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity started in [arXiv:1911.01659]. We generalize our analysis to the case of multi-boundary correlators with the help of the boundary creation operator. We clarify how the Korteweg-de Vries constraints arise in the presence of multiple boundaries, deriving differential equations obeyed by the correlators. The differential equations allow us to compute the genus expansion of the correlators up to any order without ambiguity. We also formulate a systematic method of calculating the WKB expansion of t…
The topological description of $2D$ string theory at the self-dual radius is studied in the algebro-geometrical formulation of the $A_{k+1}$ topological models at $k=-3$. Genus zero correlators of tachyons and their gravitational descendants are computed as intersection numbers on moduli space and compared to $2D$ string results. The interpretation of negative momentum tachyons as gravitational descendants of the cosmological constant, as well as modifications of this, is shown to imply a disagreement between $2D$ string correlators and the associated intersection numbers.
We propose a closed-form formula for genus 0 four-point functions in $\text{AdS}_3$ string theory with pure NS-NS flux including arbitrary amounts of spectral flow. Our formula passes many non-trivial consistency checks and has intriguing connections to Hurwitz theory. This paper is the second in a series with several instalments.
We investigate some aspects of the relationship between matrix string theory and light-cone string field theory by analysing the correspondence between the two-loop thermal partition function of DLCQ strings in flat space and the integrated two-point correlator of twist fields in a symmetric product orbifold conformal field theory at one-loop order. This is carried out by deriving combinatorial expressions for generic twist field correlation functions in permutation orbifolds using the covering surface method, by deriving the one-loop modification of the twist field interaction vertex, and by …
We show how the two--matrix model and Toda lattice hierarchy presented in a previous paper can be solved exactly: we obtain compact formulas for correlators of pure tachyonic states at every genus. We then extend the model to incorporate a set of discrete states organized in finite dimensional $sl_2$ representations. We solve also this extended model and find the correlators of the discrete states by means of the $W$ constraints and the flow equations. Our results coincide with the ones existing in the literature in those cases in which particular correlators have been explicitly calculated. W…
We continue with the program of hep-th/0308184 to implement open-closed string duality on free gauge field theory (in the large $N$ limit). In this paper we consider correlators such as $\la \prod_{i=1}^n \TrΦ^{J_i}(x_i)\ra$. The Schwinger parametrisation of this $n$-point function exhibits a partial gluing up into a set of basic skeleton graphs. We argue that the moduli space of the planar skeleton graphs is exactly the same as the moduli space of genus zero Riemann surfaces with $n$ holes. In other words, we can explicitly rewrite the $n$-point (planar) free field correlator as an integral o…
A certain topological field theory is shown to be equivalent to the compactified c=1 string. This theory is described in both Kazama-Suzuki coset and Landau-Ginzburg formulations. The genus-g partition function and genus-0 multi-tachyon correlators of the c=1 string are shown to be calculable in this approach. The KPZ formulation of non-critical string theory has a natural relation to this topological model. (Talk given at the Nato Advanced Research Workshop on `New Developments in String Theory, Conformal Models and Topological Field Theory', Cargese, May 12-21 1993.)
The paper examines correspondence among correlation functions of symmetric orbifold and string theory on AdS3 described by sl(2) Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten (WZNW) model. We start by writing down n-point function of twist operators in the symmetric orbifold in terms of the data of effective Riemann surface. It is then shown that the correlation function can be reproduced from the sl(2) WZNW model. The computation is based on the claim that string worldsheet is given by the same Riemann surface and the reduction method from sl(2) WZNW model to Liouville field theory. We first consider the genus …
There exists an intriguing relation between genus zero correlation functions in the H^+_3 WZNW model and in Liouville field theory. We provide a path integral derivation of the correspondence and then use our new approach to generalize the relation to surfaces of arbitrary genus g. In particular we determine the correlation functions of N primary fields in the WZNW model explicitly through Liouville correlators with N+2g-2 additional insertions of certain degenerate fields. The paper concludes with a list of interesting further extensions and a few comments on the relation to the geometric Lan…
Correlation functions in perturbative N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory are examined in the Berenstein-Maldacena-Nastase (BMN) limit. We demonstrate that non-extremal four-point functions of chiral primary fields are ill-defined in that limit. This lends support to the assertion that only gauge theoretic two-point functions should be compared to pp-wave strings. We further refine the analysis of the recently discovered non-planar corrections to the planar BMN limit. In particular, a full resolution to the genus one operator mixing problem is presented, leading to modifications in the map be…
We compute the elliptic genus of the D1/D7 brane system in flat space, finding a non-trivial dependence on the number of D7 branes, and provide an F-theory interpretation of the result. We show that the JK-residues contributing to the elliptic genus are in one-to-one correspondence with coloured plane partitions and that the elliptic genus can be written as a chiral correlator of vertex operators on the torus. We also study the quantum mechanical system describing D0/D6 bound states on a circle, which leads to a plethystic exponential formula that can be connected to the M-theory graviton inde…
We develop a method for computing correlation functions of twist operators in the bosonic 2-d CFT arising from orbifolds M^N/S_N, where M is an arbitrary manifold. The path integral with twist operators is replaced by a path integral on a covering space with no operator insertions. Thus, even though the CFT is defined on the sphere, the correlators are expressed in terms of partition functions on Riemann surfaces with a finite range of genus g. For large N, this genus expansion coincides with a 1/N expansion. The contribution from the covering space of genus zero is `universal' in the sense th…
We prove that all the correlation functions in the $(1,q)$ models are calculable using only the Virasoro and the $W^{(3)}$ constraints. This result is based on the invariance of correlators with respect to an interchange of the order of the operators they contain. In terms of the topological recursion relations, it means that only two and three contacts and the corresponding degenerations of the underlying surfaces are relevant. An algorithm to compute correlators for any $q$ and at any genus is presented and demonstrated through some examples. On route to these results, some interesting polyn…
