Strings Branes And Gravity Tasi 1999

Many of the topics in this book are outgrowths of the spectacular new understanding of duality in string theory which emerged around 1995. They include the AdS/CFT correspondence and its relation to holography, the matrix theory formulation of M theory, the structure of black holes in string theory, the structure of D-branes and M-branes, and detailed development of dualities with N = 1 and N = 2 supersymmetry. In addition, there are lectures covering experimental and phenomenological aspects of the Standard Model and its extensions, and discussions on cosmology including both theoretical aspects and the exciting new experimental evidence for a non-zero cosmological constant.

This book covers some recent advances in string theory and extra dimensions. Intended mainly for advanced graduate students in theoretical physics, it presents a rare combination of formal and phenomenological topics, based on the annual lectures given at the School of the Theoretical Advanced Study Institute (2001) — a traditional event that brings together graduate students in high energy physics for an intensive course of advanced learning. The lecturers in the School are leaders in their fields. The first lecture, by E D'Hoker and D Freedman, is a systematic introduction to the gauge–gravity correspondence, focusing in particular on correlation functions in the conformal case. The second, by L Dolan, provides an introduction to perturbative string theory, including recent advances on backgrounds involving Ramond-Ramond fluxes. The third, by S Gubser, explains some of the basic facts about special holonomy and its uses in string theory and M-theory. The fourth, by J Hewett, surveys the TeV phenomenology of theories with large extra dimensions. The fifth, by G Kane, presents the case for supersymmetry at the weak scale and some of its likely experimental consequences. The sixth, by A Liddle, surveys recent developments in cosmology, particularly with regard to recent measurements of the CMB and constraints on inflation. The seventh, by B Ovrut, presents the basic features of heterotic M-theory, including constructions that contain the Standard Model. The eighth, by K Rajagopal, explains the recent advances in understanding QCD at low temperatures and high densities in terms of color superconductivity. The ninth, by M Sher, summarizes grand unified theories and baryogenesis, including discussions of supersymmetry breaking and the Standard Model Higgs mechanism. The tenth, by M Spiropulu, describes collider physics, from a survey of current and future machines to examples of data analyses relevant to theories beyond the Standard Model. The eleventh, by M Strassler, is an introduction to supersymmetric gauge theory, focusing on Wilsonian renormalization and analogies between three- and four-dimensional theories. The twelfth, by W Taylor and B Zwiebach, introduces string field theory and discusses recent advances in understanding open string tachyon condensation. The thirteenth, by D Waldram, discusses explicit model building in heterotic M-theory, emphasizing the role of the E8 gauge fields. The written presentation of these lectures is detailed yet straightforward, and they will be of use to both students and experienced researchers in high-energy theoretical physics for years to come. The proceedings have been selected for coverage in: • Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings) • CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences Contents:Supersymmetric Gauge Theories and the AdS/CFT Correspondence (E D'Hoker & D Z Freedman) [157 pages]Perturbative String Theory and Ramond-Ramond Flux (L Dolan) [33 pages]Special Holonomy in String Theory and M-Theory (S S Gubser) [37 pages]Phenomenology of Extra Dimensions (J L Hewett) [34 pages]Weak Scale Supersymmetry — A Top-Motivated-Bottom-Up Approach (G L Kane) [61 pages]Recent Developments in Cosmology (A R Liddle) [19 pages]Lectures on Heterotic M-Theory (B A Ovrut) [48 pages]Color Superconductivity (K Rajagopal) [59 pages]Grand Unification, Higgs Bosons, and Baryogenesis (M Sher) [46 pages]Collider Experiment: Strings, Branes and Extra Dimensions (M Spiropulu) [40 pages]An Unorthodox Introduction to Supersymmetric Gauge Theory (M J Strassler) [78 pages]D-Branes, Tachyons, and String Field Theory (W Taylor & B Zwiebach) [88 pages]Introduction to Model Building in Heterotic M-Theory (D Waldram) [87 pages] Readership: Graduates and researchers in high energy physics, mathematical physics and astrophysics. Keywords:Strings;Branes;Extra Dimensions;TASI;Particle Physics

The relation between quantum theory and the theory of gravitation remains one of the most outstanding unresolved issues of modern physics. According to general expectation, general relativity as well as quantum (field) theory in a fixed background spacetime cannot be fundamentally correct. Hence there should exist a broader theory comprising both in appropriate limits, i.e., quantum gravity. This book gives readers a comprehensive introduction accessible to interested non-experts to the main issues surrounding the search for quantum gravity. These issues relate to fundamental questions concerning the various formalisms of quantization; specific questions concerning concrete processes, like gravitational collapse or black-hole evaporation; and the all important question concerning the possibility of experimental tests of quantum-gravity effects.

String theory is one of the most exciting and challenging areas of modern theoretical physics. This book guides the reader from the basics of string theory to recent developments. It introduces the basics of perturbative string theory, world-sheet supersymmetry, space-time supersymmetry, conformal field theory and the heterotic string, before describing modern developments, including D-branes, string dualities and M-theory. It then covers string geometry and flux compactifications, applications to cosmology and particle physics, black holes in string theory and M-theory, and the microscopic origin of black-hole entropy. It concludes with Matrix theory, the AdS/CFT duality and its generalizations. This book is ideal for graduate students and researchers in modern string theory, and will make an excellent textbook for a one-year course on string theory. It contains over 120 exercises with solutions, and over 200 homework problems with solutions available on a password protected website for lecturers at www.cambridge.org/9780521860697.

This volume offers an introduction to recent developments in several active topics of research at the interface between geometry, topology and quantum field theory. These include Hopf algebras underlying renormalization schemes in quantum field theory, noncommutative geometry with applications to index theory on one hand and the study of aperiodic solids on the other, geometry and topology of low dimensional manifolds with applications to topological field theory, Chern-Simons supergravity and the anti de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence. It comprises seven lectures organized around three main topics, noncommutative geometry, topological field theory, followed by supergravity and string theory, complemented by some short communications by young participants of the school. Contents:Noncommutative Geometry:Hopf Algebras in Noncommutative Geometry (J C Várilly)The Noncommutative Geometry of Aperiodic Solids (J Bellissard)Noncommutative Geometry and Abstract Integration Theory (M-T Benameur)Topological Field Theory:Introduction to Quantum Invariants of 3-Manifolds, Topological Quantum Field Theories and Modular Categories (C Blanchet)An Introduction to Donaldson–Witten Theory (M Mariño)Supergravity and String Theory:(Super)-Gravities Beyond 4 Dimensions (J Zanelli)Introductory Lectures on String Theory and the AdS/CFT Correspondence (A Pankiewicz & S Theisen)Short Communications:Group Contractions and Its Consequences Upon Representations of Different Spatial Symmetry Groups (M Ayala-Sánchez & R W Haase)Phase Anomalies as Trace Anomalies in Chern–Simons Theory (A Cardona)Deligne Cohomology for Orbifolds, Discrete Torsion and B-Fields (E Lupercio & B Uribe) Readership: Graduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics, as well as geometry and topology. Keywords:

This volume offers an introduction to recent developments in several active topics of research at the interface between geometry, topology and quantum field theory. These include Hopf algebras underlying renormalization schemes in quantum field theory, noncommutative geometry with applications to index theory on one hand and the study of aperiodic solids on the other, geometry and topology of low dimensional manifolds with applications to topological field theory, Chern-Simons supergravity and the anti de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence. It comprises seven lectures organized around three main topics, noncommutative geometry, topological field theory, followed by supergravity and string theory, complemented by some short communications by young participants of the school.

Self-contained and pedagogical introduction to key string theory ideas and techniques needed to understand D-branes.