Related papers: Topological Symmetry, Background Independence, and…
In this note, we describe how the study of backgrounds for general quantum systems can be formulated in terms of the representation theory of abstract $C^*$ algebras. We illustrate our general framework through two example systems:…
We study open and unoriented strings in a Topological Membrane (TM) theory through orbifolds of the bulk 3D space. This is achieved by gauging discrete symmetries of the theory. Open and unoriented strings can be obtained from all possible…
Discussed is relationship between nonlinearity and symmetry of dynamical models. The special stress is laid on essential, non-perturbative nonlinearity, when none linear background does exist. This is nonlinearity essentially different from…
We propose a definition for background (in)/dependence in dynamical theories of the evolution of configurations that have a continuous symmetry and test this definition on particle models and on gravity. Our definition draws from Barbour's…
It is shown that background fields of a topological character usually introduced as such in compactified string theories correspond to quantum degrees of freedom which parametrise the freedom in choosing a representation of the zero mode…
We discuss further a recent space-time interpretation of the $c=1$ matrix model which retains both sides of the inverted harmonic oscillator potential in the underlying free fermion theory and reproduces the physics of the discrete state…
We argue that some features of the standard model, in particular the fermion assignment and symmetry breaking, can be obtained in matrix model which describes noncommutative gauge theory as well as gravity in an emergent way. The mechanism…
We study the realization of the (super) conformal topological symmetry in two-dimensional field theories. The mirror automorphism of the topological algebra is represented as a reflection in the space of fields. As a consequence, a double…
Intuitively speaking, a classical field theory is background-independent if the structure required to make sense of its equations is itself subject to dynamical evolution, rather than being imposed ab initio. The aim of this paper is to…
We argue that the demand of background independence in a quantum theory of gravity calls for an extension of standard geometric quantum mechanics. We discuss a possible kinematical and dynamical generalization of the latter by way of a…
Matrix theory is a proposed non-perturbative definition of superstring theory in which space is emergent. We begin a study of cosmology in the context of matrix theory. Specifically, we show that matrix theory can lead to an emergent…
In these lecture notes for the Les Houches School on Applications of Random Matrices in Physics we give an introduction to the connections between matrix models and topological strings. We first review some basic results of matrix model…
This paper concerns what Background Independence itself is (as opposed to some particular physical theory that is background independent). The notions presented mostly arose from a layer-by-layer analysis of the facets of the Problem of…
We use mirror symmetry to establish the first concrete arena of spacetime topology change in string theory. In particular, we establish that the {\it quantum theories} based on certain nonlinear sigma models with topologically distinct…
Spontaneous symmetry breaking plays a fundamental role in many areas of condensed matter and particle physics. A fundamental problem in ecology is the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for biodiversity and stability. Neutral theory,…
String geometry theory is a candidate of the non-perturbative formulation of string theory. In order to determine the string vacuum, we need to clarify how string backgrounds are described in string geometry theory. In this paper, we show…
Global and local symmetries may or may not be restored inside topological defects depending upon the values of the parameters of the model. A detailed study of this parameter dependence of the core structure of strings and monopoles is…
We introduce the theoretical framework we use to study the bewildering variety of phases in condensed--matter physics. We emphasize the importance of the breaking of symmetries, and develop the idea of an order parameter through several…
Geometrical stability theory is a powerful set of model-theoretic tools that can lead to structural results on models of a simple first-order theory. Typical results offer a characterization of the groups definable in a model of the theory.…
We demonstrate that field theories involving explicit breaking of continous symmetries, incorporate two generic classes of topological defects each of which is stable for a particular range of parameters. The first class includes defects of…