M-Theory and Quantum Geometry (Nato Science Series: C Mathematical and Physical Sciences Volume 556) (NATO Science Series C:)
Contributors: Lárus Thorlacius (Editor); Thordur Jonsson (Editor)
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: Springer
Published: January 15, 2001
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 476
ISBN-13: 9780792364757
Subjects: Relativistic quantum mechanics & quantum field theory; Theoretical methods; Mathematics; Applied; Nuclear Physics; Mathematics / Applied; Science / Nuclear Physics; Science-Nuclear Physics; General
Description: The fundamental structure of matter and spacetime at the shortest length scales remains an exciting frontier of basic research in theoretical physics. A unifying theme in this area is the quantisation of geometrical objects. The majority of contributions to this volume cover recent advances in superstring theory, which is the leading candidate for a unified description of all known elementary particles and interactions. The geometrical concept of one-dimensional extended objects (strings) has always been at the core of superstring theory, but recently the focus has shifted to include higher-dimensional objects (D-branes), which play a key role in non-perturbative dynamics of the theory. Related developments are also described in M-theory, our understanding of quantum effects in black-hole physics, gauge theory of the strong interaction, and the dynamic triangulation construction of the quantum geometry of spacetime.