Matrix models as non-commutative field theories on ℝ

In the context of spin foam models for quantum gravity, group field theories are a useful tool allowing on the one hand a non-perturbative formulation of the partition function and on the other hand admitting an interpretation as generalized matrix models. Focusing on 2d group field theories, we review their explicit relation to matrix models and show their link to a class of non-commutative field theories invariant under a quantum-deformed 3d Poincaré symmetry. This provides a simple relation between matrix models and non-commutative geometry. Moreover, we review the derivation of effective 2d group field theories with non-trivial propagators from Boulatov's group field theory for 3d quantum gravity. Besides the fact that this gives a simple and direct derivation of non-commutative field theories for the matter dynamics coupled to (3d) quantum gravity, these effective field theories can be expressed as multi-matrix models with a non-trivial coupling between matrices of different sizes. It should be interesting to analyze this new class of theories, both from the point of view of matrix models as integrable systems and for the study of non-commutative field theories. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.