Introductory explanation about dualities?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of dualities in theoretical physics, particularly focusing on S-duality and its implications in string theory. Participants seek to understand the theoretical framework and physical significance of dualities, as well as resources for further study.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests an introductory explanation of dualities, specifically S-duality, and mentions their intention to study its application in linearized gravity.
  • Another participant expresses interest in dualities and suggests searching for information online, providing a link to a resource on duality.
  • A participant notes that the term duality can refer to various concepts and suggests that the original poster is likely interested in string dualities, providing another link for reference.
  • One participant describes a personal interpretation of duality involving particles and alternate spatial dimensions, expressing uncertainty about their understanding.
  • Another participant elaborates on duality as an equivalence between two theories under transformation, specifically mentioning T-duality in the context of string theory and compactification of extra dimensions.
  • A participant offers to send textbooks on string theory to the original poster, acknowledging the limitations of available resources at their university.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects a mix of exploratory ideas and interpretations regarding dualities, with no consensus reached on a singular definition or understanding. Participants express varying levels of familiarity and uncertainty about the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations in available literature and resources, particularly in relation to the age of textbooks at the original poster's university. There is also a recognition that duality encompasses multiple interpretations and applications, particularly in string theory.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers interested in theoretical physics, particularly those exploring dualities in string theory and related concepts.

Rebel
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Someboy can give me an introductory explanation about dualities? I mean, what are, how works in theory and what physical sense do have it? I have to start some study about using dualities in linearized gravity, so i'll be very helped if you have too some basic literature at respect. Specifically i need a little bit (by now) about S-duality, but by now I am a lego in those themes.
 
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important correction

Sorry, I've tried to say somebody in first line, for it was causing confussion about sexual procedence and that stopped somepeople to reply and help. Thanks.
 
Hi Rebel

Please continue to be patient. There are many people who visit here from time to time who may be able to help you. I am not one of them.

I too am interested in dualities, and have tried to absorb what I can about them in my general reading. Have you tried the various search engines? There are many sources of information out there. What have you tried before you came here?

Maybe this will help?

http://plato.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/webglimpse.cgi?ID=1&nonascii=on&maxfiles=50&maxlines=30&maxchars=10000&query=duality

Good hunting,

Richard
 
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Rebel said:
Specifically i need a little bit (by now) about S-duality

As Richard's link makes clear, the term duality can mean many things. It sounds like you are really interested in String dualities. Have you looked at

http://www.superstringtheory.com/basics/basic6.html ?
 
Th

Kea said:
As Richard's link makes clear, the term duality can mean many things. It sounds like you are really interested in String dualities. Have you looked at
http://www.superstringtheory.com/basics/basic6.html ?

Yes Kea, I have, and actually it is the more instructive (in the basic level) reading I've got. My problem is that I'm in a University in Mexico where books are a little bit older, enough at least to don't pay so much attention to he subject (most being unaware of developments in string theory even in 1990's decade ). Actually, I need generallity about this dualities, although are not limited nor where first indicated for string theory. Thank you.
 
isn't it something like...

...for every particle there exists an equal and opposite particle in alternate spatial dimensions

personally I'd like to think we oscillate between two identical 3d universes at superluminal speed and that thought registers the change as movement...

...but it doesn't seem to resoante with some other stuff i think

so basically i don't really know...

...does anybody really know ?
 
mm

dubmugga said:
isn't it something like...

...for every particle there exists an equal and opposite particle in alternate spatial dimensions

personally I'd like to think we oscillate between two identical 3d universes at superluminal speed and that thought registers the change as movement...

...but it doesn't seem to resoante with some other stuff i think

so basically i don't really know...

...does anybody really know ?

I think it is more like having an equivalence between two theories under a transformation, what gives the same equations under a given transformation (duality transformation). There are several kinds of duality, but have became of special interest and help in string theory; specially T-Duality arises cause the compactification of the extra dimensions, and permits relate the two type II and the two heterotic string theories, relating a change proporcional to the radio of compactification to the other theory.
 
Rebel said:
My problem is that I'm in a University in Mexico where books are a little bit older...

Send me (via private email) your address and I will personally send you a couple of String theory textbooks.

Kea :smile:
 

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