Geometry and Physics of Branes / Edition 1

by U Bruzzo, V. Gorini, U. Moschella

Overview

Branes are solitonic configurations of a string theory that are represented by extended objects in a higher-dimensional space-time. They are essential for a comprehension of the non-perturbative aspects of string theory, in particular, in connection with string dualities. From the mathematical viewpoint, branes are related to several important theories, such as homological mirror symmetry and quantum cohomology.

Geometry and Physics of Branes provides an introduction to current research in some of these different areas, both in physics and mathematics. The book opens with a lucid introduction to the basic aspects of branes in string theory. Topics covered in subsequent chapters include tachyon condensation, the geometry surrounding the Gopakumar-Vafa conjecture (a duality between the SU(N) Chern-Simons theory on S3 and a IIA string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau 3-fold), two-dimensional conformal field theory on open and unoriented surfaces, and the development of a homology theory naturally attached to the deformations of vector bundles that should be relevant to the study of homological mirror symmetry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750308632
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/05/2002
Series:	Series in High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Bruzzo, U; Gorini, V.; Moschella, U.

Table of Contents

Introduction
U. Bruzzo

Deformation Theory, Homological Algebra and Mirror Symmetry
Kenji Fuyaka

Topics in String Tachyon Dynamics
Ce'sar Go'mez and Pedro Resco

Large N Dualities and D-Branes
Antonella Grassi and Michele Rossi

Elementary Introduction to Branes in String Theory
Alberto Lerda

Two-Dimensional Conformal Field Theory on Open and Unoriented Surfaces
Yassen Stanev

Editorial Reviews

"The introductory lectures are particularly pedagogical and clear and I recommend them to my students that enter the subject."
-M. Bianchi

From the Publisher