A nonsupersymmetric matrix orbifold

TL;DR

This paper constructs a matrix model for a nonsupersymmetric twisted IIA string theory on a circle, revealing a 2+1D gauge theory with fermions and exploring connections to Type 0 theories, but questioning its Lorentz invariance.

Contribution

It introduces a novel matrix description for a twisted, nonsupersymmetric string theory and investigates its relation to Type 0 theories, highlighting the lack of Lorentz invariance.

Findings

Constructed a 2+1D U(N) x U(N) gauge theory with fermions.

Identified relations to Type 0 string theories.

Argued the model lacks a consistent Lorentz invariant interpretation.

Abstract

We construct the matrix description for a twisted version of the IIA string theory on S^1 with fermions antiperiodic around a spatial circle. The result is a 2+1-dimensional U(N) x U(N) nonsupersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with fermionic matter transforming in the (N,Nbar). The two U(N)'s are exchanged if one goes around a twisted circle of the worldvolume. Relations with Type 0 theories are explored and we find Type 0 matrix string limits of our gauge theory. We argue however that most of these results are falsified by the absence of SUSY nonrenormalization theorems and that the models do not in fact have a sensible Lorentz invariant space time interpretation.