The spectral action principle in noncommutative geometry and the superstring

A supersymmetric theory in two dimensions has enough data to define a noncommutative space thus making it possible to use all tools of noncommutative geometry. In particular, we apply this to the N=1 supersymmetric non-linear sigma model and derive an expression for the generalized loop space Dirac operator, in presence of a general background, using canonical quantization. The spectral action principle is then used to determine a spectral action valid for the fluctuations of the string modes. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.