 String sigma model in a spacetime metric

Replacing the flat target metric in the Polyakov action by a spacetime metric $g_{\mu \nu }(X)$ gives the displayed string sigma model. The embedding fields $X^{\mu }$ map the worldsheet into target spacetime, while $h_{ab}$ is an independent worldsheet metric. Classical worldsheet diffeomorphisms and Weyl transformations permit conformal gauge; quantum consistency additionally requires vanishing sigma-model beta functions.