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Strings, Conformal Fields, and Topology
Following on the foundations laid in his earlier book "Introduction to Superstrings", Professor Kaku discusses such topics as the classification of conformal string theories, the non-polynomial closed string field theory, matrix models, and topological field theory. The presentation of the material is self-contained, and several chapters review material expounded in the earlier book. This book provides students with an understanding of the main areas of current progress in string theory, placing the reader at the forefront of current research.
535 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 1992
About the author
Michio Kaku
54 books6,973 followers(Arabic: ميشيو كاكو
Russian: Митио Каку
Chinese: 加來道雄)
Dr. Michio Kaku is an American theoretical physicist at the City College of New York , best-selling author, a futurist, and a communicator and popularizer of science. He has written several books about physics and related topics of science.
He has written two New York Times Best Sellers, Physics of the Impossible (2008) and Physics of the Future (2011).
Dr. Michio is the co-founder of string field theory (a branch of string theory), and continues Einstein’s search to unite the four fundamental forces of nature into one unified theory.
Kaku was a Visitor and Member (1973 and 1990) at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and New York University. He currently holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at the City College of New York.
Russian: Митио Каку
Chinese: 加來道雄)
Dr. Michio Kaku is an American theoretical physicist at the City College of New York , best-selling author, a futurist, and a communicator and popularizer of science. He has written several books about physics and related topics of science.
He has written two New York Times Best Sellers, Physics of the Impossible (2008) and Physics of the Future (2011).
Dr. Michio is the co-founder of string field theory (a branch of string theory), and continues Einstein’s search to unite the four fundamental forces of nature into one unified theory.
Kaku was a Visitor and Member (1973 and 1990) at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and New York University. He currently holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at the City College of New York.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 6, 2012
Like all books of Michio Kaku, the book is written nicely and the topics included are indeed modern and up to date. In order to understand it, it is recommended that one has done a course on superstring theory, preferably on infinite-dimensional Lie algebras and supersymmetry too, and that one has read some material on conformal field theory (good books are by di Francesco et al. and Ketov). Kaku goes very quickly through the more fundamental subjects before going into more difficult matter, such as string field theory, phenomenology and M-theory.
The book progresses fast beyond what might be known from basic graduate courses on superstring theory, but does not become too specific or detailed. It serves as a bridge to more advanced literature by providing somewhat more sophisticated knowledge than the average textbook (such as Polchinski).
The book is not completely self-contained, but a list of references is given at the end of each chapter, so one can find its way through the bits and pieces that are necessary to understand before proceeding.
So, in order to understand it, you need to read other books (e.g. first Zwiebach and then Polchinski or Green, Schwarz & Witten for more advanced topics and superstring theory). But in order to understand the literature, this book can be of assistance.
The book progresses fast beyond what might be known from basic graduate courses on superstring theory, but does not become too specific or detailed. It serves as a bridge to more advanced literature by providing somewhat more sophisticated knowledge than the average textbook (such as Polchinski).
The book is not completely self-contained, but a list of references is given at the end of each chapter, so one can find its way through the bits and pieces that are necessary to understand before proceeding.
So, in order to understand it, you need to read other books (e.g. first Zwiebach and then Polchinski or Green, Schwarz & Witten for more advanced topics and superstring theory). But in order to understand the literature, this book can be of assistance.
Displaying 1 of 1 review