$T\bar{T}$, $J\bar{T}$, $T\bar{J}$ and String Theory

Abstract

We calculate the spectrum of a two dimensional CFT on a cylinder, perturbed by a general linear combination of $T\bar{T}$, $J\bar{T}$ and $T\bar{J}$, by utilizing the relation of this problem to certain solvable single trace current-current deformations of the worldsheet theory of strings on $AdS_3$. We show that this spectrum is well behaved (i.e. the energies are real) if and only if the dual bulk geometry is well behaved (i.e. the signature of the bulk spacetime is $(1,2)$ and there are no closed timelike curves). We also comment on the relations of string theory on $AdS_3$ and its deformations to symmetric product CFT's, matrix string theory, and a black hole description of highly excited fundamental strings.