Fundamental Implications of Fields, Strings and Gravity

This is the replacement of the research project funded under STFC consolidated grant ST/X000656/1 that was abandoned due to the PI's move to Queen Mary University of London. The focus of the research is on theoretical aspects of strongly coupled quantum mechanical systems and string theory. Basically, all the objectives which were funded under ST/X000656/1 are now pursued under this grant. Taking into account progress made since the application to the STFC consolidated grant in 2022, we will focus on the following objectives:

-- Analysis of emergent holographic geometry in terms of matrix degrees of freedom, including the understanding the connection to other approaches and quantum information theoretic aspects. [Medium risk]

-- Analysis of low-energy quantum states of matrix models. I will take a few different approaches including variational Monte Carlo methods and quantum simulations. In addition, I will develop quantum algorithms for future devices. This objective is directly related to the emergent holographic geometry. [Higher risk]

-- Lattice Monte Carlo simulation of BFSS matrix models in the M-theory parameter region. Attention is paid to the stability of the confined phase and the details of the first-order confinement/deconfinement transition that is likely to be the dual of string/M theory transitions. [Medium risk]

-- Study of the orbifold lattice formulation of QCD to make the quantum simulations more feasible than the approaches based on the Kogut-Susskind formulation. [Lower risk]