Related papers: Open/Closed String Duality for Topological Gravity…
The structures in target space geometry that correspond to conformally invariant boundary conditions in WZW theories are determined both by studying the scattering of closed string states and by investigating the algebra of open string…
We review and study the duality between string theory formulated on a curved exact background (the two dimensional black hole) and string theory in flat space with a tachyon-like potential. We generalize previous results in this subject by…
This is the text of my habilitation thesis defended at the \'Ecole Normale Sup\'erieure. The topological string presents an arena in which many features of string theory proper, such as the interplay between worldsheet and target space…
We consider a string dual of a partially topological $U(N)$ Chern-Simons-matter (PTCSM) theory recently introduced by Aganagic, Costello, McNamara and Vafa. In this theory, fundamental matter fields are coupled to the Chern-Simons theory in…
The structure of spacetime duality and discrete worldsheet symmetries of compactified string theory is examined within the framework of noncommutative geometry. The full noncommutative string spacetime is constructed using the…
We introduce a critical string theory in two dimensions and demonstrate that this theory, viewed as two-dimensional quantum gravity on the worldsheet, is equivalent to a double-scaled matrix integral. The worldsheet theory consists of…
We show that two-dimensional JT gravity, the holographic dual of the IR fixed point of the SYK model, can be obtained from the consistent Kaluza-Klein reduction of a class of EMD theories in general $D$ dimensions. For $D=4$, $5$, the EMD…
We consider five-dimensional gravity with a Gauss-Bonnet term in the bulk and an induced gravity term on a 2-brane of codimension-2. We show that this system admits BTZ black holes on the 2-brane which are extended into the bulk with…
We study closed N=2 strings on orbifolds of the form T^4/Z_2 and C^2/Z_2. We compute the torus partition function and prove its modular invariance. We analyse the BRST cohomology of the theory, construct the vertex operators, and compute…
In previous work we have shown that large $N$ field theory amplitudes, in Schwinger parametrised form, can be organised into integrals over the stringy moduli space ${\cal M}_{g,n}\times R_{+}^n$. Here we flesh this out into a concrete…
We study the topological B-model on a deformed $\Z_2$ orbifolded conifold by investigating variation of complex structures via quantum Kodaira-Spencer theories. The fermionic/brane formulation together with systematic utilization of…
We study FZZT-branes and open string amplitudes in (p,q) minimal string theory. We focus on the simplest boundary changing operators in two-matrix models, and identify the corresponding operators in worldsheet theory through the comparison…
Topological gravity is the reduction of general relativity to flat space-times. A lattice model describing topological gravity is developed starting from a Hamiltonian lattice version of $B\w F$ theory. The extra symmetries not present in…
We study both the classical and the quantum target space of (p,q) minimal string theory, using the FZZT brane as a probe. By thinking of the target space as the moduli space of FZZT branes, parametrized by the boundary cosmological constant…
This paper explains the conjectured algebraic duality between genus zero Gromov-Witten theory and genus zero "Closed String topology". This duality in another perspective is discussed on page 87 of the book "Frobenius manifold, quantum…
We generalize the worldsheet derivation of the topological open/closed string duality given in hep-th/0205297 to cases when there are different types of D branes on the open string side. We use the mirror Landau-Ginzburg description to…
We investigate B-type topological Landau-Ginzburg theory with one variable, with D2-brane boundary conditions. We find that the allowed brane configurations are determined in terms of the possible factorizations of the superpotential, and…
The monodromy matrix, ${\hat{\cal M}}$, is constructed for two dimensional tree level string effective action. The pole structure of ${\hat{\cal M}}$ is derived using its factorizability property. It is found that the monodromy matrix…
We investigate the effect of T-duality on noncommutativity. Starting with open strings ending on a D2-brane wrapped on a $T^2$ torus in the presence of a Kalb Ramond field, we consider Buscher transformations on the coordinates and…
Gauge/gravity duality is the conjecture that string theories have dual descriptions as gauge theories. Weakly-coupled gravity is dual to strongly-coupled gauge theories, ideal for lattice calculations. I will show precision lattice…