Synopses & Reviews
The two volumes that comprise String Theory provide an up-to-date, comprehensive account of string theory. Volume 1 provides a thorough introduction to the bosonic string, based on the Polyakov path integral and conformal field theory. The first four chapters introduce the central ideas of string theory, the tools of conformal field theory, the Polyakov path integral, and the covariant quantization of the string. The book then treats string interactions: the general formalism, and detailed treatments of the tree level and one loop amplitudes. Toroidal compactification and many important aspects of string physics, such as T-duality and D-branes are also covered, as are higher-order amplitudes, including an analysis of their finiteness and unitarity, and various nonperturbative ideas. The volume closes with an appendix giving a short course on path integral methods, followed by annotated references, and a detailed glossary.
Review
'Polchinski is a major contributor to the exciting developments that have revolutionised our understanding of string theory during the past four years; he is also an exemplary teacher, as Steven Weinberg attests in his foreword. He has produced an outstanding two-volume text, with numerous exercises accompanying each chapter. It is destined to become a classic ... magnificent.' David Bailin, The Times Higher Education Supplement
Review
'... the most comprehensive text addressing the discoveries of the superstring revolutions of the early to mid 1990s, which mark the beginnings of 'modern' string theory.' Donald Marolf, University of California Santa Barbara, , American Journal of Physics
Review
'Physicists believe that the best hope for a fundamental theory of nature - including unification of quantum mechanics with general relativity and elementary particle theory - lies in string theory. This elegant mathematical physics subject is expounded by Joseph Polchinski in two volumes from Cambridge University Press ... Written for advanced students and researchers, this set provides thorough and up-to-date knowledge.' American Scientist
Review
'We would like to stress the pedagogical value of the present book. The approach taken is modern and pleasantly systematic, and it covers a broad class of results in a unified language. A set of exercises at the end of each chapter complements the discussions in the main text. On the other hand, the introduction of techniques and concepts essential in the context of superstrings makes it a useful reference for researchers in the field.' Mathematical Reviews
Review
'It amply fulfils the need to inspire future string theorists on their long slog and is destined to become a classic. It is a truly exciting enterprise and one hugely served by this magnificent book.' David Bailin, The Times Higher Education Supplement
Review
'... this is an impressive book. It is notable for its consistent line of development and the clarity and insight with which topics are treated ... It is hard to think of a better text in an advanced graduate area, and it is rare to have one written by a master of the subject. It is worth pointing out that the book also contains a collection of useful problems, a glossary, and an unusually complete index.' Physics Today
Synopsis
An important book providing a clear introduction to this area of theoretical physics; for graduate students and researchers.
Synopsis
The two volumes that comprise String Theory provide an up-to-date, comprehensive account of string theory. Volume 1 provides a thorough introduction to the bosonic string, based on the Polyakov path integral and conformal field theory. The first four chapters introduce the central ideas of string theory, the tools of conformal field theory, the Polyakov path integral, and the covariant quantization of the string. The book then treats string interactions: the general formalism, and detailed treatments of the tree level and one loop amplitudes. Toroidal compactification and many important aspects of string physics, such as T-duality and D-branes are also covered, as are higher-order amplitudes, including an analysis of their finiteness and unitarity, and various nonperturbative ideas. The volume closes with an appendix giving a short course on path integral methods, followed by annotated references, and a detailed glossary.
Synopsis
Now in paperback, this volume provides an up-to-date, comprehensive account of the bosonic string. It starts with the central ideas of string theory, the tools of conformal field theory, the Polyakov path integral, and the covariant quantization of the string. Following chapters treat string interactions: the general formalism, detailed treatments of the tree level and one loop amplitudes. The latter chapters cover toroidal compactification and important aspects of string physics, higher-order amplitudes, and various nonperturbative ideas. An essential text and reference for graduate students and researchers interested in superstring theory.
Synopsis
String theory has advanced rapidly over the last fifteen years and is increasingly seen as the best, and perhaps only, route to the complete unification of the four fundamental forces - the so-called 'theory of everything'. This text provides, in two volumes, a thoroughly modern and comprehensive introduction to strings and superstrings, and brings the reader up to date on all of the latest developments. The author is one of the world's top string theorists, and is also known as a clear and cogent writer. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in physics, this is the first major textbook on strings since the two volume work of Green, Schwartz and Witten ten years ago (which sold extraordinarily well, reprinting within a month of publication). The main markets are theoretical physics, particle physics, astrophysics, cosmology and applied maths. This is an accessible book on one of the most fundamental questions in physics by a top researcher. It has all the ingredients to be a best seller.
Synopsis
Now available in paperback, this volume provides an up-to-date, comprehensive account of the bosonic string, introducing the central ideas of string theory, based on the Polyakov path integral and conformal field theory. This is an essential text and reference for graduate students and researchers interested in modern superstring theory.
Synopsis
Now in paperback, an up-to-date, comprehensive account of supersymmetric strings; for graduate students and researchers.
Synopsis
Available for the first time in paperback, String Theory comprises two volumes which give an up-to-date, comprehensive and pedagogic account of the subject. Volume 1, An Introduction to the Bosonic String, gives a thorough introduction, based on the Polyakov path integral and conformal field theory. Volume 2, Superstring Theory and Beyond, begins with an introduction to supersymmetric string theories and goes on to a broad presentation of the important advances of recent years. An essential text and reference for graduate students and researchers interested in superstring theory.
Table of Contents
Volume I: 1. A first look at strings; 2. Conformal field theory; 3. The Polyakov path integral; 4. The string spectrum; 5. The string S-matrix; 6. Tree level amplitudes; 7. One loop amplitudes; 8. Toroidal compactification and T-duality; 9. Higher order amplitudes; Appendix A. A short course on path integrals; References; Glossary; Index. Volume 2: 10. Type I and type II superstrings; 11. The heterototic string; 12. Superstring interactions; 13. D-branes; 14. Strings at strong coupling; 15. Advanced conformal field theory; 16. Orbifolds; 17. Calabi-Yau compactification; 18. Spacetime physics; 19. Advanced topics; Appendix B. Spinors and SUSY in various dimensions; References; Glossary; Index.