Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

Worldline formalism for Quantum Field Theory; Relativistic strings; Polyakov String; Weyl mode and anomalies; Quantization and Spectrum; Conformal Field Theory (review); Path Integral; Vertex Operators and Scattering Amplitudes; D-branes; String Dualities and M-theory.

Study materials

Literature

- J. Polchinski, 'String Theory', Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics, Cambridge University Press.
- Green, M. , Schwarz, J. and Witten, E. , 'Superstring Theory', Cambridge University Press.
- Lust, D and Theisen, S. , 'Lectures on String Theory', Springer.

Objectives

Understand the quantization of the free relativistic particle by different methods
Understand the quantization of the free relativistic string by different methods
Acquire general knowledge on the quantization of systems with gauge symmetries
Compute interactions in the bosonic closed string
Derive the effective space-time actions from string theory
Acquire rudimentary knowledge of non-perturbative objects in string theory

Teaching methods

Lecture
Seminar

Students will learn the basic theoretical concepts in the lectures and will practice on problem sessions/problem sets

Learning activities

Activity	Hours
Hoorcollege	28
Tentamen	6
Werkcollege	26
Self study	108
Total	168	(6 EC x 28 uur)

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
0.75 (75%) Tentamen	Must be ≥ 5, Mandatory
0.25 (25%) Problem Sets	Mandatory
0% Retake

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

Owner	Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator	Diego Hofman
Part of	Master Mathematics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA, Master Mathematics, specialization Algebra and Geometry, year 1 Master Mathematics, specialization Analysis and Dynamical Systems, year 1 Master Mathematics, specialization Mathematical Physics, year 1 Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy, Master Mathematics, specialisation Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information, year 1

String Theory 1