On the Flux Sectors of Matrix String Theory

TL;DR

The paper investigates gapped flux vacua of 2D ${\cal N}=(8,8)$ $U(N)$ SYM and proposes a non-perturbative matrix string theory (MST) duality that equates its flux-sector dynamics with massive open-string modes on D0-branes in type IIA string theory. Using the MST dictionary, it maps $k$-flux sectors to D0-brane charge and derives ground-state energies $E_k = {k^2 g_{ m YM}^2 \over 2 N} 2 \pi R$ and open-string masses $m_i = {g_{ m YM}\over N} \sqrt{2\pi \ell_i}$ in the large-$N$ limit. It provides a semiclassical description of resonances, their decays into closed strings, and Regge-like relations: $E = {g_{ m YM}\over N} \sqrt{2\pi J}$ for level-1 excitations and $E = k {g_{ m YM}\over N} \sqrt{2\pi J}$ for $k$-flux sectors. These predictions offer non-perturbative tests that could be pursued via Hamiltonian truncation/DLCQ or bootstrap methods to validate or challenge MST.

Abstract

We analyze the gapped flux vacua of 2D (8,8) SU(N) super-Yang-Mills theory. Based on the matrix string theory duality, we conjecture the spectrum of massive resonances in the gauge theory at large N and beyond the 't Hooft scaling regime.