FA566 String Theory

Faculty of Science
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Ondřej Hulík (lecturer)
prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D.
Prerequisites
Background of the introductory course on QM should be sufficient for most parts of the course. Advanced topics will be chosen based on the background of participants and background will be provided.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to familiarize the participants with baciscs of string theory. First part of the course will cover standard topics such as quantization of string effective target space action and basics of 2d CFT. In the advanced topics part we will look at more specialized parts of string theory as suggested in the content belov. This part is flexible for discussion and will be taylored to needs of the participants.
Learning outcomes
The students should be able to master the basics of first quantization of string model. Understand the structure of open and closed string theory spectra. Students will also be introduced to more modern formulation of string theory in terms of 2d CFT.
Syllabus
  • 1) quantization of particle/string, first versus second quantization - spectrum of quantized string open/closed -superstring NS/RR sector -boundary conditions and D-branes - T duality from the worldsheet perspective -worldsheet/target sypersymmetry 2) 2d cft, BRST cohomology - euclidean CFT in 2d - free examples bosons fermions and BC systems, - quantum BRST cohomology - symmetries and kac moody algebras Extra topics: 3) target space, SFT aspects - SUGRA theories -SFT as an off-shell formulation of string theory - Calabi Yau and compactifications 4) some interesting aspects -twistor string and scattering equation -topological SFT and Chern Simons theory -pure spinors and GS formulation
Teaching methods
Course will consist of weekly lecture and one problem solving session which will be designated for discussig problems from the calsses as well as questions on the topic. Permanent zoom link: https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/9527690595?pwd=UVM2cFdmb0NCQk1BdzlyMjRIV2RJdz09 lecture is tought every thursday at 3p.m.
Assessment methods
For sucsessful passing of the class it will be necessary to work out some of the examples given throughout the duration of the course.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2021/FA566