Field Theory Analysis of Laplacian Growth Models

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We consider Laplacian growth problems using a field theory approach. In particular we consider the Saffman-Taylor (ST) problem. The idealized settings of the problem, with vanishing surface tension between the bubble and the surrounding fluid, is singular due to the formation of cusps after a finite time (for generic initial conditions). A natural regularization of the cusp, is the addition of surface tension, but this complicates the mathematical description of the problem a great deal. We discuss a different method of regularization which arises from the relation of the ST problem with integrable systems and matrix models.