A Primer on String Theory
A Primer on String Theory
Since its conception in the 1960s, string theory has been hailed as one of the most promising routes we have to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity. This book provides a concise introduction to string theory explaining central concepts, mathematical tools and covering recent developments in physics including compactifications and gauge/string dualities. With string theory being a multidisciplinary field interfacing with high energy physics, mathematics and quantum field theory, this book is ideal for both students with no previous knowledge of the field and scholars from other disciplines who are looking for an introduction to basic concepts.
- A self-contained text which keeps advanced mathematical background to a minimum, making it easy to follow
- Provides a modern treatment of string theory which builds foundations to enable understanding of important recent developments
- An excellent text for self-study, providing concrete calculations and exercises, and covering topics from undergraduate level to topical research in mathematical physics
Reviews & endorsements
'This book successfully captures the essence of string theory every theoretical physicist should know. I would like to use it in my next course on string theory at Caltech!' Hirosi Ooguri, California Institute of Technology
'Systematic introduction to string theory that brings the reader to the forefront of modern developments in the field, written from entirely modern perspective. The book covers amazingly large amount of topics with due attention to detail and logical rigour. Perfect book for first reading in string theory that can be used as reference by its practitioners.' Konstantin Zarembo, Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics
Product details
No date availablePaperback
9781316612835
234 pages
247 × 174 × 11 mm
0.48kg
23 b/w illus. 3 tables
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Historical introduction and overview
- Part I. Strings in Flat Backgrounds:
- 2. The classical closed bosonic string
- 3. Free bosonic quantum field theory
- 4. Covariant quantization
- 5. Light-cone quantization
- 6. Branes and quantization of open strings
- 7. Open strings and gauge theory
- 8. Free fermionic quantum field theory
- 9. Supersymmetry in ten dimensions
- 10. Construction of type IIA/B superstrings
- 11. Branes in type II superstring theory
- 12. Construction of heterotic superstrings
- Part II. Strings in Curved Backgrounds:
- 13. Introduction to conformal field theory
- 14. Modular invariants and orbifolds
- 15. Closed strings on the 3-sphere
- 16. Calabi-Yau spaces
- 17. Calabi–Yau compactifications
- 18. String dualities
- 19. Gauge/string dualities
- 20. AdS/CFT correspondence
- Bibliography
- Index.
