From Topological Field Theories to Covariant Matrix Strings

TL;DR

This paper proposes a topological quantum field theory framework using octonionic instanton equations on eight-dimensional manifolds to develop covariant matrix strings, incorporating extended 2D gravity to avoid anomalies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel topological quantum field theory model based on octonionic instantons for covariant matrix strings, integrating extended 2D gravity to ensure anomaly-free untwisting.

Findings

Formulation of a topological quantum field theory using octonionic instantons.

Development of a covariant matrix string model with extended 2D gravity.

Ensuring anomaly-free untwisting of the model.

Abstract

This paper is a shortened version of the previous work hep-th/9907099: We propose a topological quantum field theory as a twisted candidate to formulate covariant matrix strings. The model relies on the octonionic or complexified instanton equations defined on an eight dimensional manifold with reduced holonomy. To allow untwisting of the model without producing an anomaly, we suggest (partially twisted) W-gravity as an "extended" 2d-gravity sector.