The Kosterlitz-Thouless Phenomenon on a Fluid Random Surface

Abstract

The problem of a periodic scalar field on a two-dimensional dynamical random lattice is studied with the inclusion of vortices in the action. Using a random matrix formulation, in the continuum limit for genus zero surfaces the partition function is found exactly, as a function of the chemical potential for vortices of unit winding number, at a specific radius in the plasma phase. This solution is used to describe the Kosterlitz- Thouless phenomenon in the presence of 2D quantum gravity as one passes from the ultra-violet to the infra-red.