An Introduction to String Theory and D-Brane Dynamics

This invaluable book provides a quick introduction to the rudiments of perturbative string theory and a detailed introduction to the more current topic of D-brane dynamics. The presentation is very pedagogical, with much of the technical detail streamlined. The rapid but highly coherent introduction to the subject is perhaps what distinguishes this book from other string theory or D-brane books. The material is based on mini-courses delivered by the author at various summer schools in theoretical high energy physics, so its actual level has been appropriately tested. Contents: A Brief History This Book Provides A Quick Introduction To The Rudiments Of Perturbative String Theory And A Detailed Introduction To The More Current Topic Of D-brane Dynamics. The Presentation Is Very Pedagogical, With Much Of The Technical Detail Streamlined. The Material Is Based On Mini-courses Delivered By The Author At Various Summer Schools In Theoretical High Energy Physics.--book Jacket. Ch. 1. Brief History Of String Theory -- Ch. 2. Classical String Theory -- Ch. 3. Quantization Of The Bosonic String -- Ch. 4. Superstrings -- Ch. 5. Ramond-ramond Charges And T-duality -- Ch. 6. D-branes And Gauge Theory -- Ch. 7. D-brane Dynamics -- Ch. 8. Ramond-ramond Couplings Of D-branes. Richard J. Szabo. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 121-124) And Index. Preface; Contents; Chapter 1 A Brief History of String Theory; Chapter 2 Classical String Theory; 2.1 The Relativistic Particle; 2.1.1 Reparametrization Invariance; 2.1.2 Examples; 2.2 The Bosonic String; 2.2.1 Worldsheet Symmetries; 2.3 String Equations of Motion; 2.3.1 Mode Expansions; 2.3.2 Mass-Shell Constraints; Chapter 3 Quantization of the Bosonic String; 3.1 Canonical Quantization; 3.1.1 Normal Ordering; 3.2 The Physical String Spectrum; 3.2.1 The Open String Spectrum; 3.2.2 The Closed String Spectrum; 3.2.3 Worldsheet-Spacetime Interplay; 3.3 Vertex Operators; 3.3.1 Examples To help introduce the topics which follow and their significance in high energy physics, in this chapter we will briefly give a non-technical historical account of the development of string theory to date, focusing on its achievements, failures and prospects.