Multi-instantons in 2d string theory

Abstract

Instanton contributions in 2d string theory are known to include subtle numerical factors $\zeta_n$ closely related to a contour prescription in multi-instanton string amplitudes. Both ingredients appear to be ambiguous due to a degeneracy between $(1,n)$-ZZ instantons and $n$ (1,1)-ZZ instantons in the linear dilaton background. We resolve this ambiguity using insights from the dual matrix quantum mechanics where the multipliers $\zeta_n$ can be derived from an integral representation of the scattering phase and follow from the median resummation prescribed by resurgence theory. We evaluate multi-instanton string amplitudes in the theory compactified on a circle of finite radius for arbitrary number of instantons and show that they reproduce the matrix model predictions provided the Lorentzian contour prescription is used for their evaluation. We also show that the non-perturbative free energy matches the structure of the D-instanton induced string field theory effective action, which suggests the vanishing of contributions from worldsheet topologies of negative Euler number.