Vortex condensation and black hole in the matrix model of 2-d string theory

Abstract

We review recent results in the matrix model approach to the 2-d non-critical string theory compactified in time, in the phase of condensation of the world sheet vortices (above the Berezinski-Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition). This phase is known to describe strings on the 2-d black hole background, due to the conjecture of V.Fateev, A. and Al.Zamolodchikov. The corresponding matrix model has an integrable Toda structure which allows to compute many interesting physical quantities, such as string partition functions of various genera and the 1- and 2-point correlators of vorticities of arbitrary charges.