The Virasoro Minimal String Theory and Quantum Gravity

Explore a theoretical physics seminar where Princeton University's Victor Rodriguez introduces a novel critical string theory in two dimensions and demonstrates its equivalence to a double-scaled matrix integral through worldsheet quantum gravity analysis. Learn about the worldsheet theory's composition of Liouville CFT coupled to timelike Liouville CFT, and understand how the double-scaled matrix integral's leading density of states connects to the universal Cardy density of primaries in two-dimensional CFT. Discover the theory's relationship to JT gravity/matrix integral duality at large central charge limits and examine its interpretation as a two-dimensional cosmological background from a target spacetime perspective.