Related papers: A unique theory of all forces
With our current level of understanding, the problem of making string theory predictions is not one of "solving" the theory, but rather of trying to determine whether there are any generic expectations. Within this context, we discuss what…
It has been proposed recently that, in the framework of M(atrix) theory, N=8 supersymmetric U(N) Yang-Mills theory in 1+1 dimensions gives rise to type IIA long string configurations. We point out that the quantum moduli space of…
This talk begins with some history and basic facts about string theory and its connections with strong interactions. Comparisons of stacks of Dirichlet branes with curved backgrounds produced by them are used to motivate the AdS/CFT…
We construct a ultraviolet completion of the bosonic sector of 11-dimensional supergravity motivated by string field theory. We start from a general class of theories characterized by an entire nonpolynomial form factor which allows one to…
We reexamine the question of quantum consistency of supergravities in eight dimensions. Theories with 16 supercharges suffer from the anomalies under the action of its discrete modular groups. In minimally supersymmetric theory coupled to…
We use the S-matrix bootstrap to carve out the space of unitary, crossing symmetric and supersymmetric graviton scattering amplitudes in ten dimensions. We focus on the leading Wilson coefficient $\alpha$ controlling the leading correction…
The properties of a string-inspired two-dimensional theory of gravity are studied. The post-Newtonian and weak-field approximations, `stellar' structure and cosmological solutions of this theory are developed. Some qualitative similarities…
The eleven-dimensional gravitational action invariant under local Poincare transformations is given by the dimensional continuation of the Euler class of ten dimensions. Here we show that the supersymmetric extension of this action leads,…
In this letter, we reconsider the delicate issue of symmetry and supersymmetry breakings for gauge theories with gauge-field mixings. The purpose is to study generalyzed potentials in the presence of more than a single gauge potential. In…
We conjecture a general upper bound on the strength of gravity relative to gauge forces in quantum gravity. This implies, in particular, that in a four-dimensional theory with gravity and a U(1) gauge field with gauge coupling g, there is a…
We conjecture that there exists a strong coupling limit of bosonic string theory which is related to the 26 dimensional theory in the same way that 11 dimensional M theory is related to superstring theory. More precisely, we believe that…
We propose a supergravity model that contains elements recently shown to arise in the strongly-coupled limit of the $E_8\times E_8$ heterotic string (M-theory), including a no-scale--like K\"ahler potential, the identification of the string…
We propose a universal geometric formulation of gauged supergravity in terms of a twisted doubled torus. We focus on string theory (M-theory) reductions with generalized Scherk-Schwarz twists residing in the O(n,n) (E_{7(7)}) duality group.…
String theory is the leading contemporary framework to explore the synthesis of quantum mechanics with gravity. String phenomenology aims to study string theory while maintaining contact with observational data. The fermionic $Z_2\times…
We study string theory in supersymmetric time-dependent backgrounds. In the framework of general relativity, supersymmetry for spacetimes without flux implies the existence of a covariantly constant null vector, and a relatively simple form…
The ten dimensional string theories as well as eleven dimensional supergravity are conjectured to arise as limits of a more basic theory, traditionaly dubbed M--theory. This notion is confined to the ten dimensional supersymmetric theories.…
Theories with gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking provide an interesting alternative to the scenario in which the soft terms of the low-energy fields are induced by gravity. These theories allow for a natural suppression of flavour…
We consider a theory of gravity with a hidden extra-dimension and metric-dependent torsion. A set of physically motivated constraints are imposed on the geometry so that the torsion stays confined to the extra-dimension and the…
These lectures are intended as a broad introduction to Chern Simons gravity and supergravity. The motivation for these theories lies in the desire to have a gauge invariant action -in the sense of fiber bundles- in more than three…
A brief historical synopsis of the connection between gauge theories and string theory is given. Meson configurations known as k-strings are examined from string theory via the gauge/gravity correspondence. Backgrounds dual to k-strings in…