A Mathematical Introduction to String Theory
Variational Problems, Geometric and Probabilistic Methods
Published on 17. July 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-0-521-55610-1 (ISBN)
Description
Classical string theory is concerned with the propagation of classical 1-dimensional curves 'strings', and the theory has connections to the calculus of variations, minimal surfaces and harmonic maps. The quantization of string theory gives rise to problems in different areas, according to the method used. The representation theory of Lie, Kac-Moody and Virasoro algebras have been used for such quantization. In this lecture note the authors give an introduction to certain global analytic and probabilistic aspects of string theory. It is their intention to bring together, and make explicit the necessary mathematical tools. Researchers with an interest in string theory, in either mathematics or theoretical physics, will find this a stimulating volume.
Reviews / Votes
' ... a valuable addition ... admirably lucid.' David Bailin, Contemporary Physics ' ... it is admirable how the authors managed to introduce such a quantity of material in 85 pages ... a good introduction to contemporary research in the field.' European Mathematical SocietyMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
220 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-55610-1 (9780521556101)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Sergio Albeverio | Jurgen Jost | Sylvie Paycha
A Mathematical Introduction to String Theory
Variational Problems, Geometric and Probabilistic Methods
E-Book
05/2012
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€42.99
Available for download
Persons
Content
Part I. 1. Introduction; 2. Topological and metric structures; 3. Harmonic maps and global structures; 4. Cauchy Riemann operators; 5. Zeta function and heat kernel determinants; 6. The Faddeev-Popov procedure; 7. Determinant bundles; 8. Chern classes of determinant bundles; 9. Gaussian meaures and random fields; 10. Functional quantization of the Hoegh-Krohn and Liouville model on a compact surface; 11. Small time asymptotics for heat-kernel regularized determinants; Part II. 1. Quantization by functional integrals; 2. The Polyakov measure; 3. Formal Lebesgue measures; 4. Gaussian integration; 5. The Faddeev-Popov procedure for bosonic strings; 6. The Polyakov measure in non-critical dimension; 7. The Polyakov measure in critical dimension d=26; 8. Correlation functions.