We review recent progress in 2D gravity coupled to d< 1 conformal matter, based on a
representation of discrete gravity in terms of random matrices. We discuss the saddle point …

We try to develop a coherent picture of Liouville theory as a two-dimensional conformal field
theory that takes into account the perspectives of the path-integral approach, bootstrap …

Based on our generalization of the Goulian-Li continuation in the power of the 2D
cosmological term we construct the two-and three-point correlation functions for Liouville …

Emphasis is on 2d target space (c= 1 coupled to gravity). Contents: 0. Introduction,
Overview, and Purpose 1. Loops and States in Conformal Field Theory 2. 2D Euclidean …

In this paper, we rigorously construct Liouville Quantum Field Theory on the Riemann
sphere introduced in the 1981 seminal work by Polyakov. We establish some of its …

We review recent developments (up to January 2004) of the Liouville field theory and its
matrix model dual. This review consists of two parts. In part I, we review the bosonic Liouville …

In this review we describe our current understanding of the properties of open string
tachyons on an unstable D-brane or brane–antibrane system in string theory. The various …

A bstract We propose a new AdS 3/CFT 2 duality, in which the bulk string theory has a target
spacetime AdS 3 times a squashed three-sphere\({\mathbbm {S}} _ {\flat}^ 3\), and the dual …

We argue that the light particles in string theory obey an effective quantum mechanics
modified by the inclusion of a quantum-gravitational friction term, induced by unavoidable …

The first part is an introduction to conformal field theory and string perturbation theory. The
second part deals with the search for a deeper answer to the question posed in the title …