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  • Textbook
  • © 2013

Basic Concepts of String Theory

  • Provides a self-contained pedagogical introduction to string theory
  • Authored by leading researchers in the field
  • Suitable as graduate textbook for courses and for self-study
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (TMP)

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Introduction

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 1-5
  3. The Classical Bosonic String

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 7-33
  4. The Quantized Bosonic String

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 35-62
  5. Introduction to Conformal Field Theory

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 63-106
  6. Parametrization Ghosts and BRST Quantization

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 107-119
  7. String Perturbation Theory and One-Loop Amplitudes

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 121-174
  8. The Classical Fermionic String

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 175-194
  9. The Quantized Fermionic String

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 195-221
  10. Superstrings

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 223-261
  11. Toroidal Compactifications: 10-Dimensional Heterotic String

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 263-320
  12. Conformal Field Theory II: Lattices and Kač-Moody Algebras

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 321-353
  13. Conformal Field Theory III: Superconformal Field Theory

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 355-390
  14. Covariant Vertex Operators, BRST and Covariant Lattices

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 391-426
  15. String Compactifications

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 427-520
  16. CFTs for Type II and Heterotic String Vacua

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 521-583
  17. String Scattering Amplitudes and Low Energy Effective Field Theory

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 585-639
  18. Compactifications of the Type II Superstring with D-branes and Fluxes

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 641-674
  19. String Dualities and M-Theory

    • Ralph Blumenhagen, Dieter Lüst, Stefan Theisen
    Pages 675-774
  20. Back Matter

    Pages 775-782

About this book

The purpose of this book is to thoroughly prepare the reader for research in string theory at an intermediate level.  As such it is not a compendium of results but intended as textbook in the sense that most of the material is organized in a pedagogical and self-contained fashion.
  
Beyond the basics, a number of more advanced topics are introduced, such as conformal field theory, superstrings and string dualities - the text does not cover applications to black hole physics and cosmology, nor strings theory at finite temperatures.

End-of-chapter references have been added to guide the reader wishing to pursue further studies or to start research in well-defined topics covered by this book.

Reviews

“This is an excellent book on strings with a discussion of confocal and nonconformal strings. … This book is primarily for advanced students with applications to advanced and intermediate studies.” (Joseph J. Grenier, Amazon.com, September, 2015)

“The book emphasizes techniques of two-dimensional conformal field theory as the basis for perturbative string theory. … the book is a welcome (re-)addition to the growing collection of textbooks on string theory, and one that likely will be consulted whenever future generations return to the foundations of the subject. It is totally suited for a course in string theory straddling the undergraduate and graduate level. The occasional mathematician with a physics inclination will also find the book accessible.” (Johannes Walcher, Mathematical Reviews, January, 2014)

“This book is amazing! The author presents the string theory in a very pedagogical way. … The book contains a lot of examples and problems and it is a easy reading. … I recommend this book for instructors and students interested in understand the basic principles of string theory. This book will be very useful as a additional reading for more advanced courses in string theory too! Have fun!” (Philosophy, Religion and Science Book Reviews, bookinspections.wordpress.com, December, 2013)

“This new textbook features anintroduction to string theory, a fundamental line of research in theoretical physics during recent decades. … It encompasses a range of essential and advanced topics, aiming at mid – to high-level students and researchers who really want to get into the subject and/or would like to look up some facts. … perfect guide for someone with some moderate prior exposure to field and string theory, who likes to get into the principles and technical details of string model construction.” (Wolfgang Lerche, CERN Courier, May, 2013)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Werner-Heisenberg-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Physik, München, Germany

    Ralph Blumenhagen

  • , Department für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, München, Germany

    Dieter Lüst

  • Albert-Einstein-Institut, MPl für Gravitationsphysik, Golm, Germany

    Stefan Theisen

About the authors

Stefan Theisen is also LNP series editor for many years
Ralph Blumenhagen has already published an LNP

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access