Matrix Strings in Two-dimensional Yang-Mills Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores the structure of string vacuum states in a supersymmetric matrix model related to M theory, revealing instanton configurations and various non-perturbative string states with connections to other string theories.

Contribution

It introduces the existence of topological instanton configurations and new classes of hadronic strings in the matrix model, linking them to different string and membrane states.

Findings

Identification of instanton configurations interpolating between vacua

Discovery of hadronic strings associated with D-string super-fields

Connections established between non-perturbative strings and other string theories

Abstract

We describe the structure of string vacuum states in the supersymmetric matrix model for M theory compactified on a circle in the large-N limit. We show that the theory admits topological instanton field configurations which at short-distance scales reduce to ordinary Yang-Mills instantons that interpolate between degenerate vacua of the theory. We show that there exists further classes of hadronic strings associated with the D-string super-fields. We discuss the relationships between these non-perturbative string states and rigid QCD strings, critical strings, and membrane states.