Introduction to string theory

Quantum field theory and the path integral......Page 4
Elementary interactions and their theories......Page 6
Actions......Page 10
Solutions using boundary conditions......Page 11
Quantization......Page 12
Open string......Page 14
Closed strings......Page 16
Charges......Page 17
Amplitudes from surfaces......Page 19
Example of the torus......Page 22
Modular transformations......Page 24
Vertex operators......Page 26
Effective actions......Page 27
Strings in curved backgrounds......Page 28
Coupling constants and frames......Page 29
Open strings......Page 31
Action......Page 32
R and NS boundary conditions......Page 33
Quantization......Page 34
Open string modes and the GSO projection......Page 36
Closed string modes......Page 37
Heterotic string theories......Page 40
Summary of the 5 theories......Page 41
The list of supergravity theories.......Page 43
Dimensional reduction......Page 44
Exchanging winding and momenta modes......Page 45
Dimensional reduction in spacetime of the NS-NS sector......Page 47
T-duality induces D8 branes......Page 48
Charged strings......Page 50
Dp-branes......Page 51
S-duality......Page 53
Self-duality in IIB......Page 54
type I - SO(32) heterotic......Page 55
M-theory and Branes......Page 56
Supersymmetry algebras......Page 57
BPS Black holes......Page 58
Brane solutions......Page 60
Tensions and charges......Page 62
Dirac charge quantization......Page 63
Strong coupling of IIA superstrings......Page 65
M-branes......Page 66
The theory currently known as M......Page 67
Compactifications......Page 69
Calabi-Yau manifolds......Page 70
Black hole entropy......Page 71
AdS/CFT......Page 72
Some final remarks......Page 74
Resources for popular introductions, these lectures and further study......Page 75