String Theory

6 EC

Semester 2, period 5

5354STTH6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator Diego Hofman
Part of Master Mathematics, Master Mathematical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA, Master Mathematics, specialization Mathematical Physics, year 1Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2020/2021

Course content

Worldlimne formalism for Quantum Field Theory; Relativistic strings; Polyakov String; Weyl mode and anomalies; Quantization and Spectrum; Conformal Field Theory (review); Vertex Operators and Scattering Amplitudes; D-branes;  Superstrings;  String Dualities and M-theory; Back to QCD, N=4 SYM and AdS/CFT.

Study materials

Literature

  • J. Polchinski, 'String Theory', Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics, Cambridge University Press.
  • B. Zwiebach, 'A First Course in String Theory', Cambridge University Press.

  • Lust, D and Theisen, S. , 'Lectures on String Theory', Springer.

  • Green, M. , Schwarz, J. and Witten, E. , 'Superstring Theory', Cambridge University Press.

  • Polyakov, A., 'Gauge Fields and Strings', CRC Press.

Objectives

  • Students will be able to understand the basic concept  of string theory and how it is connected to the rest of theoretical physics. 

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar

Lectures and exercise sessions.

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Zelfstudie

168

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Tentamen

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    Timetable

    The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

    Additional information

    Required previous knowledge: Quantum Field Theory, General Relativity and Advanced Quantum Field Theory.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • Diego Hofman