physics
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Theoretical Physics and Mathematical Physics 2ND EDITION
A First Course in String Theory Barton Zwiebach
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Zwiebach is once again faithful to his goal of making string theory accessible to undergraduates. This text now includes AdS/CFT correspondence, as well introducing superstrings. With almost 300 problems and exercises it is perfectly suited for introductory courses for students with a background in physics. • Includes completely new chapters on AdS/CFT correspondence and strong interactions, and an introduction to superstrings • A detailed and self-contained explanation of string theory at a level that is truly understandable to undergraduates • Presents the main concepts of string theory in a concrete and physical way, with over 100 worked examples and over 180 homework problems (with solutions for instructors)
A refreshingly different approach to string theory that requires remarkably little previous knowledge of quantum theory or relativity. This highlights fundamental features of the theory that make it so radically different from theories based on point-like particles. This book makes the subject amenable to undergraduates but it will also appeal greatly to beginning researchers who may be overwhelmed by the standard textbooks.” Michael Green, University of Cambridge
2009 246 x 189 mm 694pp 86 b/w illus. 180 exercises 9780521880329 | £49.99 / US$105.00 HB
Contents: Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Basics: 1. A brief introduction; 2. Special relativity and extra dimensions; 3. Electromagnetism and gravitation in various dimensions; 4. Nonrelativistic strings; 5. The relativistic point particle; 6. Relativistic strings; 7. Strong parameterization and classical motion; 8. World-sheet currents; 9. Light-cone relativistic strings; 10. Light-cone fields and particles; 11. The relativistic quantum point particle; 12, Relativistic quantum closed strings; 13. Relativistic quantum closed strings; 14. A look at relativistic superstrings; Part II. Developments: 15. D-branes and gauge fields; 16. String charge and electric charge; 17. T-duality of closed strings; 18. T-duality of open strings; 19. Electromagnetism fields in D-branes; 20. Nonlinear and Born-Infeld electrodynamics; 21. Strong theory and particle physics; 22. String thermodynamics and black holes; 23. Strong interactions and AdS/CFT; 24. Covariant string quantization; 25. String interactions and Riemann surfaces; 26. Loop amplitudes in string theory; References; Index. www.cambridge.org/PhysicsTextbooks