Backgrounds of 2D string theory from matrix model

Abstract

In the Matrix Quantum Mechanical formulation of 2D string theory it is possible to introduce arbitrary tachyonic perturbations. In the case when the tachyonic momenta form a lattice, the theory is known to be integrable and, therefore, it can be used to describe the corresponding string theory. We study the backgrounds of string theory obtained from these matrix model solutions. They are found to be flat but the perturbations can change the global structure of the target space. They can lead either to a compactification, or to the presence of boundaries depending on the choice of boundary conditions. Thus, we argue that the tachyon perturbations have a dual description in terms of the unperturbed theory in spacetime with a non-trivial global structure.