String theory is a model of fundamental physics whose building blocks are one-dimensional extended objects called strings, rather than the zero-dimensional point particles that form the basis for the standard model of particle physics. The phrase is often used as shorthand for Superstring theory, as well as related theories such as M-theory. By replacing the point-like particles with strings, an apparently consistent quantum theory of gravity emerges. Moreover, it may be possible to 'unify' the known natural forces (gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear and strong nuclear) by describing them with the same set of equations. Studies of string theory have revealed that it predicts higher-dimensional objects called branes. String theory strongly suggests the existence of ten or eleven (in M-theory) space-time dimensions, as opposed to the usual four (three spatial and one temporal) used in relativity theory.

The physics of neutrinos has acquired a rapidly increasing role within the realm of particle physics. Recognized as an elusive particle since the prediction of its existence by Pauli and its incorporation into particle theory by Fermi in the early thirties, the neutrino was first observed some twenty years later by Reines and Cowan. Experiments carried out by Lederman, Schwartz, Steinberger et al. first revealed the existence of several species of neutrinos. By now, neutrino physics has matured to the point where detailed properties of neutrinos and their mixing can be studied by a number of experiments carried out in various high energy laboratories. Such experiments are relevant not only from viewpoint of understanding the properties of elementary particles, but also the early history of the Universe.This volume discusses the most recent experimental and theoretical results in that exciting area of particle physics.

This volume offers a comprehensive overview of our understanding of gravity at both the experimental and the theoretical level. Critical reviews by experts cover topics ranging from astrophysics (anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background, gamma ray bursts, neutron stars and astroparticles), cosmology, the status of gravitational wave sources and detectors, verification of Newton's law at short distances, the equivalence principle, gravito-magnetism, measurement theory, time machines and the foundations of Einstein's theory, to string theory and loop quantum gravity.

This volume offers a comprehensive overview of our understanding of gravity at both the experimental and the theoretical level. Critical reviews by experts cover topics ranging from astrophysics (anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background, gamma ray bursts, neutron stars and astroparticles), cosmology, the status of gravitational wave sources and detectors, verification of Newton's law at short distances, the equivalence principle, gravito-magnetism, measurement theory, time machines and the foundations of Einstein's theory, to string theory and loop quantum gravity.

Contents:Conformal Boundary Conditions — and What They Teach Us (V B Petkova & J-B Zuber)A Physical Basis for the Entropy of the AdS3 Black Hole (S Fernando & F Mansouri)Spinon Formulation of the Kondo Problem (A Klümper & J R Reyes-Martinez)Boundary Integrable Quantum Field Theories (P Dorey)Finite Size Effects in Integrable Quantum Field Theories (F Ravanini)Nonperturbative Analysis of the Two-Frequency Sine-Gordon Model (Z Bajnok et al.)Screening in Hot SU(2) Gauge Theory and Propagators in 3D Adjoint Higgs Model (A Cucchieri et al.)Effective Average Action in Statistical Physics and Quantum Field Theory (Ch Wetterich)Phase Transitions in Non-Hermitean Matrix Models and the “Single Ring” Theorem (J Feinberg et al.)Unraveling the Mystery of Flavor (A Falk)The Nahm Transformation on R2 X T2 (C Ford)A 2D Integrable Axion Model and Target Space Duality (P Forgács)Supersymmetric Ward Identities and Chiral Symmetry Breaking in SUSY QED (M L Walker)and other papers Readership: Theoretical, mathematical and high energy physicists. Keywords:

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