One-dimensional string theory on a circle

Abstract

We discuss random matrix-model representations of D = 1 string theory, with particular emphasis on the case in which the target space is a circle of finite radius. The duality properties of discretized strings are analyzed and shown to depend on the dynamics of vortices. In the representation in terms of a continuous circle of matrices we find an exact expression for the free energy, neglecting non-singlet states, as a function of the string coupling and the radius which exhibits exact duality. In a second version, based on a discrete chain of matrices, we find that vortices induce, for a finite radius, a Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition that takes us to a c = 0 theory.