Related papers: Mathematics and Physics of N=2 Strings
We refine the dictionary of the gauge/gravity correspondence realizing N=1 super Yang-Mills by means of D5-branes wrapped on a resolved Calabi-Yau space. This is done by fixing an ambiguity on the correct interpretation of the holographic…
Various nonsupersymmetric theories at large but finite $N$ are argued to permit light scalars and large hierarchies without fine-tuning. In a dual string description, the hierarchy results from competition between classical and quantum…
We show that almost all string theories, including the bosonic string, the superstring and $W$-string theories, possess a twisted N=2 superconformal symmetry. This enables us to establish a connection between topological gravity and the…
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 classical and quantum worldsheet theory describing nonrelativistic open string theory in an arbitrary nonrelativistic open and closed string background is constructed. We show that the low energy dynamics of open strings ending on n…
Different string theories in twistor space have recently been proposed for describing ${\cal N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills. In this paper, my Strings 2003 talk is reviewed in which a string theory in $(x,\theta)$ space was constructed for…
We quantise the classical gauge theory of $N=2\ w_\infty$-supergravity and show how the underlying $N=2$ super-$w_\infty$ algebra gets deformed into an $N=2$ super-$W_\infty$ algebra. Both algebras contain the $N=2$ super-Virasoro algebra…
The (bosonic) Virasoro minimal string, which relates worldsheet string theory to a deformation of the JT gravity matrix model, provides an interesting example of a tractable matrix/string duality. We explore its $\mathcal{N} =1$…
A string theory in $3$ euclidean spacetime dimensions is found to describe the semiclassical behavior of a certain exact physical state of quantum general relativity in $4$ dimensions. Both the worldsheet and the three dimensional metric…
String duality suggests a fascinating juxtoposition of world-volume and target-space dynamics. This is particularly apparent in the $D$-brane description of stringy solitons that forms a major focus of this article (which is {\it not}…
We show that tree level ``resonant'' $N$ tachyon scattering amplitudes, which define a sensible ``bulk'' S -- matrix in critical (super) string theory in any dimension, have a simple structure in two dimensional space time, due to partial…
We review some of the recent developments in the construction of $W$-string theories. These are generalisations of ordinary strings in which the two-dimensional ``worldsheet'' theory, instead of being a gauging of the Virasoro algebra, is a…
We describe an infinite-dimensional algebra of hidden symmetries for the self-dual gravity equations. Besides the known diffeomorphism-type symmetries (affine extension of w(infinity) algebra), this algebra contains new hidden symmetries,…
We study the gauge/gravity duality for theories with four dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetries. We consider the large class of generalized quiver field theories constructed recently by one of us (D.G.). These field theories can also be…
A geometric formulation which describes extended supergravities in any dimension in presence of electric and magnetic sources is presented. In this framework the underlying duality symmetries of the theories are manifest. Particular…
I describe our understanding of physics near the planck length, in particular the great progress of the last four years in string theory. Superstring theory, and a recent extension called M theory, are leading candidates for a quantum…
In some recent theories including Quantum SuperString theory we encounter duality - it arises due to a non commutative geometry which in effect adds an extra term to the Heiserberg Uncertainity Principle. The result is that the micro world…
This paper studies in great detail a family of supersymmetric Wilson loop operators in N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory we have recently found. For a generic curve on an S^3 in space-time the loops preserve two supercharges but we will…
A complete treatment of the (2,2) NSR string in flat (2+2) dimensional space-time is given, from the formal path integral over N=2 super Riemann surfaces to the computational recipe for amplitudes at any loop or gauge instanton number. We…
Self-duality equations for Yang-Mills fields in d-dimensional Euclidean spaces consist of linear algebraic relations amongst the components of the curvature tensor which imply the Yang-Mills equations. For the extension to superspace gauge…