Boundary operators in minimal Liouville gravity and matrix models

We interpret the matrix boundaries of the one matrix model (1MM) recently constructed by two of the authors as an outcome of a relation among FZZT branes. In the double scaling limit, the 1MM is described by the (2,2p+1) minimal Liouville gravity. These matrix operators are shown to create a boundary with matter boundary conditions given by the Cardy states. We also demonstrate a recursion relation among the matrix disc correlator with two different boundaries. This construction is then extended to the two matrix model and the disc correlator with two boundaries is compared with the Liouville boundary two point functions. In addition, the realization within the matrix model of several symmetries among FZZT branes is discussed.Comment: 26 page

Boundary changing operators in the O(n) matrix model

We continue the study of boundary operators in the dense O(n) model on the random lattice. The conformal dimension of boundary operators inserted between two JS boundaries of different weight is derived from the matrix model description. Our results are in agreement with the regular lattice findings. A connection is made between the loop equations in the continuum limit and the shift relations of boundary Liouville 3-points functions obtained from Boundary Ground Ring approach.Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures, Introduction and Conclusion improve

A note on the integral equation for the Wilson loop in N = 2 D=4 superconformal Yang-Mills theory

We propose an alternative method to study the saddle point equation in the strong coupling limit for the Wilson loop in $\mathcal{N}=2$ D=4 super Yang-Mills with an SU(N) gauge group and 2N hypermultiplets. This method is based on an approximation of the integral equation kernel which allows to solve the simplified problem exactly. To determine the accuracy of this approximation, we compare our results to those obtained recently by Passerini and Zarembo. Although less precise, this simpler approach provides an explicit expression for the density of eigenvalues that is used to derive the planar free energy.Comment: 12 pages, v2: section 2.5 (Free Energy) amended and reference added, to appear in J. Phys.

FZZT Brane Relations in the Presence of Boundary Magnetic Fields

We show how a boundary state different from the (1,1) Cardy state may be realised in the (m,m+1) minimal string by the introduction of an auxiliary matrix into the standard two hermitian matrix model. This boundary is a natural generalisation of the free spin boundary state in the Ising model. The resolvent for the auxiliary matrix is computed using an extension of the saddle-point method of Zinn-Justin to the case of non-identical potentials. The structure of the saddle-point equations result in a Seiberg-Shih like relation between the boundary states which is valid away from the continuum limit, in addition to an expression for the spectral curve of the free spin boundary state. We then show how the technique may be used to analyse boundary states corresponding to a boundary magnetic field, thereby allowing us to generalise the work of Carroll et al. on the boundary renormalisation flow of the Ising model, to any (m,m+1) model.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures (3 new). Two new sections added giving examples of the construction. Explanations clarified. Minor changes to the conclusion but main results unchanged. Matches published versio

Enumeration of maps with self avoiding loops and the O(n) model on random lattices of all topologies

We compute the generating functions of a O(n) model (loop gas model) on a random lattice of any topology. On the disc and the cylinder, they were already known, and here we compute all the other topologies. We find that the generating functions (and the correlation functions of the lattice) obey the topological recursion, as usual in matrix models, i.e they are given by the symplectic invariants of their spectral curve.Comment: pdflatex, 89 pages, 12 labelled figures (15 figures at all), minor correction

Scattering of Long Folded Strings and Mixed Correlators in the Two-Matrix Model

We study the interactions of Maldacena's long folded strings in two-dimensional string theory. We find the amplitude for a state containing two long folded strings to come and go back to infinity. We calculate this amplitude both in the worldsheet theory and in the dual matrix model, the Matrix Quantum Mechanics. The matrix model description allows to evaluate the amplitudes involving any number of long strings, which are given by the mixed trace correlators in an effective two-matrix model.Comment: 39 pages, 6 figure

Beyond LLM in M-theory

The Lin, Lunin, Maldacena (LLM) ansatz in D = 11 supports two independent Killing directions when a general Killing spinor ansatz is considered. Here we show that these directions always commute, identify when the Killing spinors are charged, and show that both their inner product and resulting geometry are governed by two fundamental constants. In particular, setting one constant to zero leads to AdS7 x S4, setting the other to zero gives AdS4 x S7, while flat spacetime is recovered when both these constants are zero. Furthermore, when the constants are equal, the spacetime is either LLM, or it corresponds to the Kowalski-Glikman solution where the constants are simply the mass parameter.Comment: 1+30 pages, footnote adde

Matrix models for irregular conformal blocks and Argyres-Douglas theories

As regular conformal blocks describe the N=2 superconformal gauge theories in four dimensions, irregular conformal blocks are expected to reproduce the instanton partition functions of the Argyres-Douglas theories. In this paper, we construct matrix models which reproduce the irregular conformal conformal blocks of the Liouville theory on sphere, by taking a colliding limit of the Penner-type matrix models. The resulting matrix models have not only logarithmic terms but also rational terms in the potential. We also discuss their relation to the Argyres-Douglas type theories.Comment: 42 pages, 2 figures; v2: minor corrections; v3: minor corrections, added the second paragraph in section