This book deals with the mathematical aspects of string theory.

The purpose of this book is to thoroughly prepare the reader for research in string theory at an intermediate level. As such it is not a compendium of results but intended as textbook in the sense that most of the material is organized in a pedagogical and self-contained fashion. Beyond the basics, a number of more advanced topics are introduced, such as conformal field theory, superstrings and string dualities - the text does not cover applications to black hole physics and cosmology, nor strings theory at finite temperatures. End-of-chapter references have been added to guide the reader wishing to pursue further studies or to start research in well-defined topics covered by this book.

A run-away bestseller from the moment it hit the market in late 1999. This impressive, thick softcover offers mathematicians and mathematical physicists the opportunity to learn about the beautiful and difficult subjects of quantum field theory and string theory. Cover features an intriguing cartoon that will bring a smile to its intended audience.

Contents:Introduction to Quantum Field Theory, Path Integrals and String (B Hatfield)From Polyakov to Moduli (J Polchinski)Geometry of Quantum Strings (E D'Hoker & D H Phong)BRST Quantization and BRST Cohomology (N Marcus & A Sagnotti)Analytic Structure of Two-Dimensional Quantum Field Theories (P Nelson)Geometrical Meaning of Currents in String Theory (O Alvarez & P Windey)String Field Theory and the Geometry of Moduli Space (S Giddings)String Theory Without a Background Spacetime Geometry (G Horowitz)Holomorphic Curves on Manifolds of SU(3) Holonomy (E Witten)Vertex Operator Calculus (I Frenkel et al.)On Determinant Line Bundles (D Freed)h-Invariant and the Index (I Singer)Action Principles and Global Geometry (G Zuckerman)Introduction to Moduli Space of Curves (J Harris)Moduli Space of Punctured Surfaces (R Penner)Geometric Complex Coordinates for Teichmüller Space (A Marden)Asymptotics of the Selberg Zeta Function and the Polyakov Bosonic Integrand (S Wolpert)Super Riemann Surfaces (J Rabin)Divisors on Mg and the Cosmological Constant (M Chang & Z Ran)Severi Problem: A Post-Mortem (?) (Z Ran)Slope of Subvarieties of M15 (6 2/3 ≤ S15 ≤ 6 3/4) (M Chang & Z Ran)Arithmetic Intersections (G Faltings)Deformation Theory for Cohomology of Analytic Vector Bundles on Kähler Manifolds (M Green & R Lazarsfeld)Topology and Geometry in Superstring-Inspired Phenomenology (B Greene et al.)Yukawa Couplings between (2, 1)-Forms (P Candelas)Three-Dimensional Algebraic Maniforlds with C1=0 and x=-6 (G Tian & S T Yau)Hermitian-Yang-Mills Connection on Non-Kähler Manifolds (J Li & S T Yau)Existence of Kähler-Einstein Metrics on Complete Kähler Manifolds (G Tian & S T Yau)Smoothness of the Universal Deformation Space of Compact Calabi-Yau Manifolds and its Peterson-Weil Metric (G Tian)Critical Phenomena (S Shenker) Readership: Mathematical and high energy physicists. Keywords:String Theory;Proceedings;Conference;San Diego/California

A clear, plain-English guide to this complex scientific theory String theory is the hottest topic in physics right now, with books on the subject (pro and con) flying out of the stores. String Theory For Dummies offers an accessible introduction to this highly mathematical "theory of everything," which posits ten or more dimensions in an attempt to explain the basic nature of matter and energy. Written for both students and people interested in science, this guide explains concepts, discusses the string theory's hypotheses and predictions, and presents the math in an approachable manner. It features in-depth examples and an easy-to-understand style so that readers can understand this controversial, cutting-edge theory.