Recent developments in the type IIB matrix model

Abstract

We review recent developments in the type IIB matrix model, which was conjectured to be a nonperturbative formulation of superstring theory. In the first part we review the recent results for the Euclidean model, which suggest that SO(10) symmetry is spontaneously broken. In the second part we review the recent results for the Lorentzian model. In particular, we discuss Monte Carlo results, which suggest that (3+1)-dimensional expanding universe emerges dynamically. We also discuss some results suggesting the emergence of exponential expansion and the power-law expansion at later times. The behaviors at much later times are studied by the classical equation of motion. We discuss a solution representing 3d expanding space, which suggests a possible solution to the cosmological constant problem.

10 pages, 5 figures, talk given at the Workshop on Noncommutative Field Theory and Gravity, Corfu Summer Institute, Corfu, Greece, 8-15 September 2013, to appear in Fortsch. Phys