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Introduction to Strings and Branes
Supersymmetry, strings and branes are believed to be the essential ingredients in a single unified consistent theory of physics. This book gives a detailed, step-by-step introduction to the theoretical foundations required for research in strings and branes. After a study of the different formulations of the bosonic and supersymmetric point particles, the classical and quantum bosonic and supersymmetric string theories are presented. This book includes accounts of brane dynamics and D-branes and the T, S and U duality symmetries of string theory. The historical derivation of string theory is given as well as the sum over the world-sheet approach to the interacting string. More advanced topics include string field theory and Kac–Moody symmetries. The book contains pedagogical accounts of conformal quantum field theory, supergravity theories, Clifford algebras and spinors, and Lie algebras. It is essential reading for graduate students and researchers wanting to learn strings and branes.
722 pages, Hardcover
First published May 31, 2012
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 22, 2022
The Ultimate Question was answered.
This book is just too real. We are always bombarded with quasi-science or pabulum-fed physics. And even when we take the real thing in class they never quite get around to explaining Strings and Branes without a lot of colorful metaphors.
Even though this book is just an introduction and I do not need to go further. It hits the deck running and gives formulas of substance. I have to admit that some of the terms I am just now getting exposed to so as some people keep a dictionary handy when they read, I find I need an encyclopedia.
Warning your world is about to change as you plow through each chapter and you can never go back to what they never taught you in school.
You are only as good as the tools you use and this book cannot be any better than its author. So as with all books you need to know a bit about who researched and wrote the book. There are better in-depth descriptions of Professor Peter West FRS “Professor in Theoretical Physics” at King’s College, London.
The book itself may one day have an electronic version. But for now, it is a joy to hold by any lover of “real” books. It is a hardcover and nice white paper that looks to be acid-free. The type is crisp and clear making the formulas easy to read. There are a few monochrome diagrams. All the references you need as to the source material are in the book. Each chapter is informative to the last paragraph without all the hokey questions found in many textbooks.
You will find this book a keeper. After perusing from front to back you will want to keep this as a reference.
For people that just have to know The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, this is an excellent place to start.
This book is just too real. We are always bombarded with quasi-science or pabulum-fed physics. And even when we take the real thing in class they never quite get around to explaining Strings and Branes without a lot of colorful metaphors.
Even though this book is just an introduction and I do not need to go further. It hits the deck running and gives formulas of substance. I have to admit that some of the terms I am just now getting exposed to so as some people keep a dictionary handy when they read, I find I need an encyclopedia.
Warning your world is about to change as you plow through each chapter and you can never go back to what they never taught you in school.
You are only as good as the tools you use and this book cannot be any better than its author. So as with all books you need to know a bit about who researched and wrote the book. There are better in-depth descriptions of Professor Peter West FRS “Professor in Theoretical Physics” at King’s College, London.
The book itself may one day have an electronic version. But for now, it is a joy to hold by any lover of “real” books. It is a hardcover and nice white paper that looks to be acid-free. The type is crisp and clear making the formulas easy to read. There are a few monochrome diagrams. All the references you need as to the source material are in the book. Each chapter is informative to the last paragraph without all the hokey questions found in many textbooks.
You will find this book a keeper. After perusing from front to back you will want to keep this as a reference.
For people that just have to know The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, this is an excellent place to start.
Displaying 1 of 1 review