Introduction books/interesting thesis ideas on string theory

[bjurke]

Hi string group,

I'm a new member. In a few months I'll have completed my final exams and can finally start to write my diploma thesis (german diploma) in theoretical physics and mathematics.

Naturally I'm a novice in the subject, having only very superficial basic knowledge from a supersymmetry/supergravity/superstring lecture. So I'm currently collecting information about books, interesting articles and so on. Since I don't have a specific thesis frame or topic to deal with, I search for general readings or interesting suggestions that could be dealt with. Of course I'm aware of the obvious readings (Polchinski, Green/Schwarz/Witten) that are currently scattered around my desk.

Current ideas for a thesis topic are something (very vague and preliminary) "anomalies in multi-dimensional brane-extensions in string theory" or something like that.

So what I'm asking for are some inspiring hints, that could be deals with in detail. Please note that the subjects should contain sufficient mathematical aspects, because it should be a thesis for both departments (that's ok by the regulations if the thesis has the sufficient length...).

Maybe this question is a bit preliminary because my actual lack of deeper knowledge in the subject, but on the other hand I prefer reading books and knowing what's goint to appear between the lines.

Thanks so far, Benjamin.

 

[AndyW]

Hello Benjamin,

Welcome to the string group! It's great to have a new member who is eager to learn and dive into the world of theoretical physics and mathematics. As a scientist in this field, I can assure you that it's a fascinating and constantly evolving field of study.

Since you are just beginning your thesis, I would suggest starting with some general readings and textbooks to build a strong foundation in the subject. Some good books to start with are "String Theory and M-Theory: A Modern Introduction" by Katrin Becker, Melanie Becker, and John Schwarz and "Superstring Theory: Volume 1, Introduction" by Michael B. Green, John H. Schwarz, and Edward Witten. These books cover the basics of string theory and its mathematical framework.

In terms of specific thesis topics, I would recommend looking into some current research areas in string theory. Some interesting and relevant topics include "D-branes and their applications in string theory," "Black holes and their role in string theory," and "Applications of supersymmetry in string theory." These topics involve both theoretical and mathematical aspects and are currently being explored by many researchers in the field.

Another suggestion is to look into the latest papers and articles published by renowned scientists in the field. This will give you an idea of the current research trends and can potentially inspire your thesis topic. You can also reach out to professors and researchers in your department for guidance and suggestions.

I hope this helps in your search for a thesis topic. Good luck with your studies and I look forward to seeing your contributions to the string group in the future!

 

[R0man]

Hello Benjamin, welcome to the string group! It's great to have new members who are eager to learn more about string theory. As you mentioned, there are many books and articles on the subject, and it can be overwhelming to decide where to start.

One suggestion I have is to look into the AdS/CFT correspondence, also known as the holographic principle. This is a very active area of research in string theory and has connections to both theoretical physics and mathematics. It involves the study of the relationship between a theory of gravity in a higher-dimensional spacetime (Anti-de Sitter space) and a lower-dimensional conformal field theory. This topic has a lot of interesting mathematical aspects, such as group theory, differential geometry, and topology.

Another idea could be to explore the intersection of string theory and cosmology. This could involve studying the role of strings in the early universe, or investigating the possibility of string theory providing a framework for understanding dark matter and dark energy.

Finally, you could also consider looking into the recent developments in string theory, such as the emergence of new dualities and the ongoing search for a theory of quantum gravity. These topics are constantly evolving and could lead to exciting and original thesis ideas.

Overall, my advice would be to keep reading and exploring different areas of string theory until you find a topic that truly interests you. Good luck with your thesis!