Non-perturbative RR Potentials in the c=1 Matrix Model

TL;DR

This paper calculates the exact non-perturbative potential energy for the RR scalar in 2D type 0B string theory using the c=1 matrix model, revealing stabilization effects beyond perturbation theory and exploring T-duality and scattering amplitudes.

Contribution

It provides the first exact non-perturbative expression for the RR scalar potential in the c=1 matrix model, including effects of background flux and temperature.

Findings

Non-perturbative stabilization of the RR potential.

Exact integral expression for the potential V(C).

Insights into T-duality and scattering in RR backgrounds.

Abstract

We use the \hat c=1 matrix model to compute the potential energy V(C) for (the zero mode of) the RR scalar in two-dimensional type 0B string theory. The potential is induced by turning on a background RR flux, which in the matrix model corresponds to unequal Fermi levels for the two types of fermions. Perturbatively, this leads to a linear runaway potential, but non-perturbative effects stabilize the potential, and we find the exact expression V(C)=\frac{1}{2\pi}\int da\arccos [\cos(C)/\sqrt{1+e^{-2\pi a}}]. We also compute the finite-temperature partition function of the 0B theory in the presence of flux. The perturbative expansion is T-dual to the analogous result in type 0A theory, but non-perturbative effects (which depend on C) do not respect naive R\to 1/R duality. The model can also be used to study scattering amplitudes in background RR fluxes.