What is the simplest holographic matrix model?

Abstract

We study a generalization of a two-matrix model proposed by J. Hoppe in '89. At strong coupling and large $N$, we unveil an emergent area preserving diffeomorphism symmetry of this model, which allows us to completely solve it at leading order. The solution for all $n$-point connected correlators takes the form of a Witten diagram-like expansion in an emergent two-dimensional dual spacetime. We conclude with speculations about the quantization of this dual model and comment on its extensions to higher dimensions and relations to holography more broadly.