Review of the Theories of Non-Critical Strings and Random Surfaces

摘要

The basic properties of the theory of random surfaces are reviewed. It is shown that the theory gives a correct description of strings in dimensions d less than or equal to 1 and of matter fields with central charge c less than or equal to 1. In this region, it coincides with the new results of Knizhnik, Polyakov, and Zamolodchikov. Analytical and numerical results for the discretized model and for the standard continuum string model for d>1 indicate a trivial theory in this region. (Atomindex citation 20:030843)