Introduction to string theory

• Grant number: 12/25304-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Diego Trancanelli
• Grantee: Jorge Henrique de Alvarenga Nogueira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, string theory has emerged as the leading candidate for a unifying theory of nature. It posits that all particles are different harmonics of small vibrating strings, much in the way the different harmonics of a guitar string correspond to different musical notes. This simple premise has exciting implications as it reconciles Einstein's theory of gravity with the laws of quantum physics, a century-old problem. It also gives rise to novel ideas in mathematics and to extremely useful computational tools in seemingly unrelated fields of physics, via the celebrated gauge/string duality. In this IC we will initiate the study of the basics of string theory, following the undergraduate textbook "The first course in String Theory" by Barton Zwiebach (MIT). (AU)