Description
We introduce a new quantum mechanical theory called Spin
Matrix theory (SMT). SMT describes N=4 super-Yang-Mills
theory near critical points in the grand canonical phase
diagram. Despite being a non-relativistic quantum mechanical
theory SMT contains a variety of phases resembling gauge
theory and string theory. Its planar limit is a gas of spin
chains that depending on the coupling either resembles
planar gauge theory operators or strings. Including 1/N
effects it is a gas of interacting spin chains. When raising
the energy the spin chain gas deconfines due to
non-perturbative effects in 1/N. For SU(2) SMT we find a
semi-classical description of this deconfined phase for high
temperatures at any coupling. This reveals the phase at
temperatures way above the Hagedorn temperature.
