Non-perturbative Thermodynamics in Matrix String Theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermodynamics of IIA Matrix String Theory, highlighting the role of non-perturbative objects like D-branes and membranes at high energies, and their impact on the system's thermodynamic behavior.

Contribution

It provides a non-perturbative analysis of thermodynamics in Matrix String Theory, including calculations of free string limits and effects of D-branes and membranes.

Findings

Reproduces the free string thermodynamics in the perturbative limit

Identifies a negative specific heat at high energies due to non-perturbative objects

Analyzes the interaction mechanisms of open strings with D-branes and membranes

Abstract

A study of the thermodynamics in IIA Matrix String Theory is presented. The free string limit is calculated and seen to exactly reproduce the usual result. When energies are enough to excite non-perturbative objects like D-particles and specially membranes, the situation changes because they add a large number of degrees of freedom that do not appear at low energies. There seems to be a negative specific heat (even in the Microcanonical Ensemble) that moves the asymptotic temperature to zero. Besides, the mechanism of interaction and attachment of open strings to D-particles and D-membranes is analyzed.