String Theory I

Hilary Term 2018
Mondays and Wednesdays 9.00-10.00
L4 Andrew Wiles Building

Lecturer: Prof. Christopher Beem

Prerequisites

Quantum Field Theory

Sequels

String Theory II
Conformal Field Theory
Introduction to Gauge-String Duality

Course description

This is the first term of the two-term String Theory sequence in the MMathPhys/MScMTP program.

The focus is the bosonic string, starting with the classical theory and developing (old) covariant quantization to derive the critical space-time dimension and free string spectrum for both closed and open bosonic strings. We then discuss string scattering at tree level, spacetime effective actions, and circle or toroidal compactification for the bosonic string.

The official course website is here.

Coursework

There are four problem sheets that will be discussed, one each, in the classes. The course will be assessed through a mini-project, which will be assigned on Monday of 8th week and due the Tuesday of 11th week of Hilary term.

• Problem Sheet 1
• Problem Sheet 2
• Problem Sheet 3
• Problem Sheet 4

References

• M. Green, J. Schwarz, E. Witten - Superstring Theory I
• J. Polchinski - String Theory Volume I: An Introduction to the Bosonic String
• D. Tong - String Theory (lecture notes from Cambridge Mathematical Tripos, part III)

Class Information

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3