D-Branes

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

Clifford V. Johnson (Author)

9780521809122, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 December 2002

574 pages, 89 b/w illus. 33 tables
25.4 x 17.8 x 3.2 cm, 1.21 kg

"D-Branes is an excellent complement to other existing texts on string theory..." Physics Today

D-branes represent a key theoretical tool in the understanding of strongly coupled superstring theory and M-theory. They have led to many striking discoveries, including the precise microphysics underlying the thermodynamic behaviour of certain black holes, and remarkable holographic dualities between large-N gauge theories and gravity. This book provides a self-contained introduction to the technology of D-branes, presenting the recent developments and ideas in a pedagogical manner. It is suitable for use as a textbook in graduate courses on modern string theory and theoretical particle physics, and will also be an indispensable reference for seasoned practitioners. The introductory material is developed by first starting with the main features of string theory needed to get rapidly to grips with D-branes, uncovering further aspects while actually working with D-branes. Many advanced applications are covered, with discussions of open problems which could form the basis for other avenues of research.

List of inserts
Preface
1. Overview and overture
2. Relativistic strings
3. A closer look at the world-sheet
4. Strings on circles and T-duality
5. Background fields and world-volume actions
6. D-branes tension and boundary states
7. Supersymmetric strings
8. Supersymmetric strings and T-duality
9. World-volume curvature couplings
10. The geometry of D-branes
11. Multiple D-branes and bound states
12. Strong coupling and string duality
13. D-branes and geometry I
14. K3 orientifolds and compactification
15. D-branes and geometry II
16. Towards M- and F-theory
17. D-branes and black holes
18. D-branes, gravity and gauge theory
19. The holographic renormalisation group
20. Taking stock
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Particle & high-energy physics [PHP]