Duality Cascade and Oblique Phases in Non-Commutative Open String Theory

Abstract

We investigate the complete phase diagram of the decoupled world-sheet theory of (P,Q) strings. These theories include 1+1 dimensional super Yang-Mills theory and non-commutative open string theory. We find that the system exhibits a rich fractal phase structure, including a cascade of alternating supergravity, gauge theory, and matrix string theory phases. The cascade proceeds via a series of SL(2,Z) S-duality transformations, and depends sensitively on P and Q. In particular, we find that the system may undergo multiple Hagedorn-type transitions as the temperature is varied.

21 pages, 4 figures, references added