New perspective on matter coupling in 2D quantum gravity

We provide compelling evidence that a previously introduced model of nonperturbative 2D Lorentzian quantum gravity exhibits (two-dimensional) flat-space behavior when coupled to Ising spins. The evidence comes from both a high-temperature expansion and from Monte Carlo simulations of the combined gravity matter system. This weak-coupling behavior lends further support to the conclusion that the Lorentzian model is a genuine alternative to Liouville quantum gravity in two dimensions, with a different and much ''smoother" critical behavior. [S0556-2821(99)08720-2].