Related papers: Is string theory a theory of strings?
We describe some recent progress in understanding and formulating string theory which is based on extensive studies of strings in lower (D=2) dimension. At the center is a large $W_{\infty}$ symmetry that appears most simply in the matrix…
We review extensions by integer spin simple currents in two-dimensional conformal field theories and their applications in string theory. In particular, we study the problem of resolving the fixed points of a simple current and apply the…
We review recent developments in the construction of heterotic and type II string field theories and their various applications. These include systematic procedures for determining the shifts in the vacuum expectation values of fields under…
We examine recent claims of a large set of flux compactification solutions of string theory. We conclude that the arguments for AdS solutions are plausible. The analysis of meta-stable dS solutions inevitably leads to situations where long…
Two-dimensional fermionic string theory is shown to have a structure of topological model, which is isomorphic to a tensor product of two topological ghost systems independent of each other. One of them is identified with $c=1$ bosonic…
We show that the $c=1$ bosonic string theory at finite temperature has two matrix-model realizations related by a kind of duality transformation. The first realization is the standard one given by the compactified matrix quantum mechanics…
We summarize the results obtained in the last few years about permutation orbifolds in two-dimensional conformal field theories, their application to string theory and their use in the construction of four-dimensional heterotic string…
Type IIB string theory expanded around D3 brane backgrounds describes the dynamics of D3 branes as solitonic objects. On the other hand, there is a fundamental description of them via Polchinski's open strings with Dirichlet boundary…
An overview of some of the developments in string theory over the past two years is given, focusing on four topics: realistic (standard model like) models from string theory, geometric engineering and theories with fluxes, the gauge…
A proposed duality between type IIB superstring theory on R^9 X S^1 and a conjectured 11D fundamental theory (``M theory'') on R^9 X T^2 is investigated. Simple heuristic reasoning leads to a consistent picture relating the various p-branes…
In this set of lectures I review recent developments in string theory emphasizing their non-perturbative aspects and their recently discovered duality symmetries. The goal of the lectures is to make the recent exciting developments in…
The D-brane spectrum of a class of $\Zop_2$ orbifolds of toroidally compactified Type IIA and Type IIB string theory is analysed systematically. The corresponding K-theory groups are determined and complete agreement is found. The charge…
The Matrix theory description of Type IIA string theory on a compact K3 surface as the theory of Neveu-Schwarz five-branes on $\tilde{K3}\times S^1$ is analyzed. The full multiplet of space-time BPS states is identified in the five-brane…
We combine Sullivan models from rational homotopy theory with Stasheff's $L_\infty$-algebras to describe a duality in string theory. Namely, what in string theory is known as topological T-duality between $K^0$-cocycles in type IIA string…
We show that a set of parallel 3-brane probes near a conifold singularity can be mapped onto a configuration of intersecting branes in type IIA string theory. The field theory on the probes can be explicitly derived from this formulation.…
The recent discovery of non-perturbatively stable two-dimensional string backgrounds and their dual matrix models allows the study of complete scattering matrices in string theory. In this note we adapt work of Moore, Plesser, and Ramgoolam…
The R^4 terms in the effective action for M-theory compactified on a two-torus are motivated by combining one-loop results in type II superstring theories with the Sl(2,Z) duality symmetry. The conjectured expression reproduces precisely…
I present arguments to the affect that the topological phase of string theory must be event-symmetric. This motivates a search for a universal string group for discrete strings in event-symmetric space-time which unifies space-time symmetry…
We construct wormhole-like solutions in the type IIA string theory. These solutions represent wormholes in four-dimensions and are given by the D2 branes within appropraited backgrounds fields. We present the conditions on these fields…
This thesis presents several new insights on the interface between mathematics and theoretical physics, with a central role for fermions on Riemann surfaces. First of all, the duality between Vafa-Witten theory and WZW models is embedded…