English

Replicas, averaging and factorization in the IIB matrix model

High Energy Physics - Theory 2022-09-21 v3 Statistical Mechanics Quantum Physics

Abstract

We study the partition functions of multiple replicas (copies) of D-brane configurations in the type IIB (IKKT) matrix model. We consider the quenched regime, where small fluctuations of the matrices are superimposed onto the slow (quenched) dynamics of the background, so the partition function is an ensemble average over the background. Interacting D-branes always factorize in a simple way. On the other hand, the non-interacting BPS configurations may or may not factorize depending on the number of replicas, and their factorization mechanism is more involved as the corresponding saddle-point solutions (half-wormholes) break the replica symmetry. We argue that the simple factorization mechanism of interacting branes is actually more interesting as it carries the specific signatures of quantum gravity, which are absent from disordered field theories like the SYK model.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2203.10697,
  title  = {Replicas, averaging and factorization in the IIB matrix model},
  author = {Mihailo Čubrović},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2203.10697},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

34 pages, 2 figures; this version: discussion on possible relation to AdS/CFT, a few technical points explained in more detail, updated references, corrected typos

R2 v1 2026-06-24T10:19:54.490Z