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46 votes
2 answers
15k views

Introduction to AdS/CFT

AdS/CFT seems like a really hot topic and I'd like to start reading about. I am looking for the best introduction at my level, i.e. I have a background in QFT, CFT and general relativity at the level ...
34 votes
8 answers
15k views

Introduction to string theory

I am in the last year of MSc. and would like to read string theory. I have the Zwiebach Book, but along with it what other advanced book can be followed, which can be a complimentary to Zwiebach. I ...
19 votes
1 answer
4k views

Good introductory text for matrix string theory

Where can I find a good introductory text for matrix string theory? Most textbooks don't cover it, or only cover it very superficially. What is the basic idea behind matrix string theory? How can ...
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

String theory from a mathematical point of view

I have a great interest in the area of string theory, but since I am more focused on mathematics, I was wondering if there is any book out there that covers mathematical aspects of string theory. I ...
12 votes
4 answers
3k views

Problems book recommendation on supersymmetry, supergravity and superstring theory

I'm learning supersymmetry, supergravity and superstring. I want some problems books to have some idea in this area. Is there this kind of books? Or are there some papers that have many solved model?
11 votes
2 answers
3k views

Advanced topics in string theory

I'm looking for texts about topics in string theory that are "advanced" in the sense that they go beyond perturbative string theory. Specifically I'm interested in String field theory (including ...
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Recommendations for time-line and road map in graduate school towards specializing in Maldacena's conjecture

This question was asked on Theoretical Physics Stackexchange and was grossly misread and closed. I am again posting the question here hoping to get some valuable insights. Also some people were ...
8 votes
4 answers
3k views

Are there any "Problems and Solutions" books or notes for advanced Quantum Field theory or/and String theory or/and Supersymmetry?

I was wondering whether or not there are any good resources of the type "Problems and Solutions" on String theory, on Supersymmetry and on advanced Quantum Field theory (separately). [I am aware ...
8 votes
2 answers
324 views

5-branes in Topological String Theory (TST)

It is known that the topological A-model allows the existence of $\frac{1}{2} \left[ D + \mathrm{rank} \left( B \right) \right]$-dimensional branes, where $D$ is a dimensionality of spacetime, and $B$ ...
7 votes
0 answers
92 views

Lost reference: Kähler gravity in six dimensions and three dimensional $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ Chern-Simons theory

I've noticed that several references take for a fact that by studying Kähler gravity on a Calabi-Yau threefold one can demostrate that any lagrangian submanifold embedded in the threefold posees three ...
6 votes
1 answer
275 views

Yang-Mills/topological string theory (M-theory) duality

It is known that there is a duality between Chern-Simons theory on 3-fold $X$ and topological A-model on the cotangent bundle of this manifold, $T^*X$ (see, for example, the original paper by Witten, ...
6 votes
0 answers
650 views

What are the mathematical prerequisites to understand this paper? [closed]

What are the mathematical prerequisites to understand this paper? Blumenhagen et al. Four-dimensional String Compactifications with D-Branes, Orientifolds and Fluxes. Phys. Rept. 445 no. 1-6, pp. 1-...
5 votes
1 answer
515 views

References on mathematical stacks for a string theory student

This question was posted on mathoverflow (here) without too much success. I'm hoping to read the famous Kapustin-Witten Paper "Electric-magnetic duality and the geometric Langlands program" ...
5 votes
2 answers
972 views

Understanding the AdS/CFT Correspondence [duplicate]

I am beginning to learn about the AdS/CFT correspondence, but I can't find a comprehensive introduction that includes the relevant gravitational/string theory physics. What specific areas of general ...
5 votes
0 answers
437 views

Mathematician learning theoretical physics [duplicate]

EDIT: I was aware of the supposed duplicate. But I'm interested in a clear and focused path through the basics to advanced theoretical physics such as string theory - a path that avoids studying ...
5 votes
0 answers
264 views

What are the AdS/CFT papers which study the stringy effects in the bulk? [closed]

I would like to know of a list of pedagogical/classic/nice papers that study stringy effects in the bulk. May be a sequence which a student follows to understand the stringy nature that is at play.
4 votes
2 answers
857 views

In what order should the subjects be studied in order to get to String Theory [duplicate]

I know: Quantum Mechanics (Griffiths Level, currently doing Sakurai Level) Mechanics (Newtonian+ Lagrangian/Hamiltonian but at level lower than Goldstein/Landau) Classical Electrodynamics (Griffiths ...
4 votes
1 answer
775 views

Jumping into String Theory [duplicate]

I am a third year student in physics and mathematics and taking a course in which each student need to prepare and give one lecture about some topic related to physics. As I saw String Theory in the ...
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

From Freshman Mechanics to String Theory: A Comprehensive Textbook Sequence in Physics [duplicate]

If a student with no background in physics and an understanding of only single variable calculus wanted to learn string theory, what sequence of textbooks would most succinctly, clearly, and ...
4 votes
2 answers
885 views

6D (2,0) superconformal field theory

I'm looking for a good reference book or textbook to study on 6D (2,0) superconformal field theory as a part of string theory.
4 votes
1 answer
337 views

What are the good introductory resources for M-theory towards AdS/CFT? [duplicate]

I see a list here with a section titled M-theory - http://www.superstringtheory.com/links/reviews.html In there these two look promising, http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9607201 and http://arxiv.org/abs/...
4 votes
0 answers
45 views

Compactification of M theory on $Spin(7)$ manifolds

In their book (chapter 9, page 438-439), the authors K. Becker, M. Becker and J. H. Schwarz discussed about $Spin(7)$ compactifications of M theory. Since the $Spin(7)$ manifolds are eight dimensional,...
4 votes
0 answers
77 views

Where can I find a video on Liouville Non-Critical String Path Integral?

Would anybody know of a video lecture course in which Polyakov's non-critical string path integral $$Z = \int D [\psi(\xi)]\, \, \exp \left\{ \frac{D-26}{48 \pi}\int_{\xi}\left(\tfrac{1}{2}(\...
3 votes
1 answer
747 views

Review of String Field Theory

Could anybody suggest the comprehensive review of String Field Theory? Original papers are lengthy and it would take quite a long time to read them all.
3 votes
1 answer
818 views

Prerequisites for IAS volumes on Quantum Fields and Strings

I'm a physics grad student interested in pursuing physics in a mathematically rigorous manner. However, I've hit a roadblock with the two volume book, Quantum Fields and Strings: A Course For ...
3 votes
1 answer
766 views

Mathematical definitions in string theory

Does anyone know of a book that has mathematical definitions of a string, a $p$-brane, a $D$-brane and other related topics. All the books I have looked at don't have a precise definition and this is ...
3 votes
1 answer
592 views

Algebraic geometry and topology for string theory [duplicate]

I am looking for a comprehensive book or notes in algebraic geometry and topology techniques used in string theory compactifications covering topics like orientifolds, orbiolds, Calabi Yau manifolds ...
3 votes
0 answers
200 views

Reference for orbifolds in string- and M-theory

A number of orbifold constructions have been studied heavily in string- and M-theory over the years, establishing various dualities between different theories. Can someone point me to a slightly more ...
3 votes
0 answers
628 views

Prerequisites and introduction to string theory [duplicate]

Can someone please give me the prerequisites and mathematics required for string theory? Are there some good references to study it, both online and in a book? Please consider I am a newbie in string ...
3 votes
1 answer
107 views

Background knowledge needed to read the book "Holographic Quantum Matter" by Hartnoll, Lucas, Sachdev?

I want to start going through the book "Holographic Quantum Matter" by Hartnoll, Lucas, Sachdev but it seems that my background in basic solid state physics and basic quantum field theory (1-...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Textbook reference: Superstring Theory [closed]

I have almost finished reading the basics of Bosonic String Theory from Becker, Becker and Schwartz as well as Tong's notes. What is the best book to start reading about Superstring theory (something ...
2 votes
1 answer
380 views

Background for understanding the holographic principle?

I'm really fascinated by the wikipedia page on the Holographic Principle - "the description of a volume of space can be thought of as encoded on a lower-dimensional boundary to the region" seems ...
2 votes
3 answers
906 views

Recommendation: Intermediate level books on quantum gravity

i have already read carlo rovelli's 'reality is not what it seems' and lee smolin's three roads to quantum gravity, how should i proceed from here and what books do i read that balance theoretical ...
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Which are the best introductory books for topology, algebraic geometry, differential geometry, manifolds, etc, needed for string theory? [duplicate]

Which are the best introductory books for topology, algebraic geometry, differential geometry, manifolds, etc, needed for string theory?
2 votes
0 answers
74 views

How to compute $X^{\mu}(z)X^{\nu}(w)=-\frac{1}{4}\eta^{\mu\nu}\ln (z-w)+\cdots $?

I'm studying the book "String theory and M-theory." by Becker, Becker and Schwarz. Unfortunately, I don't understand really well the materials in Chapter 3 "conformal field theory and ...
2 votes
0 answers
85 views

Research progress in the symmetries of flat space holography

I was studying the papers [$1$] Arjun Bagchi. The BMS/GCA correspondence [$2$] Duval, C., Gibbons, G. W., & Horvathy, P. A. (2014). Conformal carroll groups. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical ...
2 votes
0 answers
144 views

How was the category implemented in the string theory and the references or lecture notes

Recently category theory started to appear more frequently in my paper readings. From the Wikipedia page Timeline of category theory and related mathematics it seemed that category theory had ...
2 votes
0 answers
214 views

Flaws of Green, Schwarz, Witten's Superstring Theory? [closed]

While trying to find a good string theory book to read as an introduction to the subject, I found people saying that the two-volume series Superstring Theory by Green, Schwarz, and Witten is an ...
2 votes
0 answers
196 views

Residual symmetry of Polyakov action in general backgrounds

In Becker & Becker, Schwarz book String Theory and M-Theory, page $40$ is stated that after choose the conformal gauge $h_{ab} = \eta_{ab}$ in the Polyakov action with background field $G_{\mu \nu}...
2 votes
0 answers
73 views

References for topological strings on supermanifolds

This question concerns topological string theory. It was known sice its outset, that the BRST-cohomology ("the ring of observables") of the weakly coupled B-model topological string on a ...
2 votes
0 answers
86 views

Relationship between boundary states and primary states of a Kazama-Suzuki model

In [1] and [2] the authors claim that the boundary states (not just the Ishibashi states) of a Kazama-Suzuki model are labelled in the same way as the primary states of the model, so that the boundary ...
2 votes
0 answers
87 views

Wheeler-deWitt equation as a renormalization group flow

I recently heard a comment that Wheeler-deWitt equation can be interpreted as RG flow equations. However, I haven't been able to find appropriate references for the same. Could someone suggest any ...
2 votes
0 answers
228 views

A review of 2D Topological Gravity and Topological Strings

I am interested in a modern review on the subject. There is a famous review by Dijkgraaf, Verlinde and Verlinde, but it is 27 years old. What I am particularly interested in is a theory on manifolds ...
2 votes
0 answers
213 views

QFT background needed for AdS/CFT integrability [closed]

Apologies if this type of question isn't permitted. I'm very interested in integrability in the context of AdS/CFT. I'm starting my Masters soon in a very GATIS-involved institute and would like to ...
1 vote
1 answer
96 views

6D (2,0) theory

I am a beginning physics student, interested in learning the much coveted 6D (2,0) theory. I have heard this is an extended TQFT, with higher categorical structures like $(\infty,n)$ arising in it. ...
1 vote
2 answers
334 views

Quiver Mechanics

What do you suggest as an essential and introductory set of references in Physics literature for learning quivers? Any textbook?
1 vote
1 answer
206 views

References for Hanany-Witten setups

What are some good, possibly modern, references for Hanany-Witten brane setups? I know the one of Giveon and Kutasov: Brane Dynamics and Gauge Theories, but I would like to have some more since this ...
1 vote
1 answer
338 views

Learning more about String theory [duplicate]

I know the concept behind String Theory. But I was wondering if anyone knows of a good place to start learning more about the theoretical physics behind it? Maybe a book someone can recommend to me! I ...
1 vote
1 answer
119 views

How to compute Physical Constants from given Calabi-Yau Compactification of Effective Field Theory of corresponding String Theory?

I got some interest in String Theory when I was listening to lectures of David Tong and Brian Greene. I remember them stating that the spacetime manifold is compactified to resemble our usual 3+1 ...
1 vote
0 answers
63 views

Reference on the quantization of Polyakov action at higher genus

Despite my searches, I was unable to find a good reference on this topic. I was looking for a reference about quantization of the Polyakov action for an arbitrary Riemann surface. I am thankful to ...