AdS/CFT book that includes prerequisites

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a suitable book on Gauge/Gravity duality, specifically the AdS/CFT correspondence, that includes a detailed overview of its prerequisites. Participants share resources and express concerns about the pedagogical approach of the materials available.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for recommendations on books that cover AdS/CFT with a focus on prerequisites.
  • Several participants suggest a specific arXiv paper as a readable introduction for beginners.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the suggested resources adequately cover prerequisites in a pedagogical manner.
  • Another book is mentioned, but it is noted to be more advanced and less pedagogical.
  • A participant shares their background in quantum field theory and related subjects, indicating their readiness to study AdS/CFT.
  • Another participant suggests that the background provided is sufficient for studying AdS/CFT and mentions a potential string theory course as an additional resource.
  • One participant requests tips for learning the prerequisites efficiently.
  • A light-hearted suggestion is made to be more self-confident in the learning process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for resources that cover prerequisites, but there is no consensus on which specific materials are best suited for this purpose. Concerns about the pedagogical quality of available resources remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of prior knowledge and experience, which may influence their recommendations and concerns about the adequacy of the resources discussed.

Joker93
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Hello!
Is there any book on Gauge/Gravity duality(or AdS/CFT correspondence) that includes a pedagogical and detailed overview on its prerequisites?
Thanks in advance!
 
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Demystifier said:
Yes, the most readable introduction to AdS/CFT for beginners:
https://arxiv.org/abs/1409.3575
Looks good. There's also a book that expands these notes. Thank you.

I have also found https://www.amazon.com/dp/1107010349/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Maybe you are familiar with it?

My concern is that maybe theese notes/books don't include the prerequisites in a pedagogical enough way. But, this is expected by a more advance book I suppose..
 
Joker93 said:
I have also found https://www.amazon.com/dp/1107010349/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Maybe you are familiar with it?
Yes, but this one is more advanced (and less pedagogical in my opinion).

Joker93 said:
My concern is that maybe theese notes/books don't include the prerequisites in a pedagogical enough way. But, this is expected by a more advance book I suppose..
Natsuume is absolutely the best for a start.
 
Joker93 said:
Looks good. There's also a book that expands these notes. Thank you.

I have also found https://www.amazon.com/dp/1107010349/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Maybe you are familiar with it?

My concern is that maybe theese notes/books don't include the prerequisites in a pedagogical enough way. But, this is expected by a more advance book I suppose..
Thanks! I will use it then!
If you also know of any resource that contains only the prerequisites(without any AdS/CFT), please suggest it.
 
Joker93 said:
If you also know of any resource that contains only the prerequisites(without any AdS/CFT), please suggest it.
It depends on your current level of knowledge.
 
Demystifier said:
It depends on your current level of knowledge.
Would you like me to tell you my background briefly?
 
Joker93 said:
Would you like me to tell you my background briefly?
If you wish to.
 
Demystifier said:
If you wish to.
Thank you.

I am currently self-studying QFT from Peskin. I have just finieshed the 2nd chapter(scalar field theory). I also use the lecture videos and notes of Tong.
I have also just finished learning Second Quantization from the book "Quantum Field Theory for the gifted amateur" by Lancaster and Blundell. Today I will be learning about some applications to condensed matter physics from the same book.
I have also a good background on Relativistic Quantum Mechanics(about 100 pages from Greiner's textbook with the same name) and Classical Field theory.
I have also studies General Relativity(not Cosmology) at the level of Weinberg's book(supplemented it with Zee's book and Hartle's for intuition).
I also took an undergrad course on Thermodynamics and Statistical physics.
I also have a strong background on Quantum Mechanics at the level of Shankar(and some chapters from Sakurai). I supplemented it with Zettili's textbook and Griffith's textbook.

I am just an undergrad and I want to get into AdS/CFT as fast as possible because I am considering on writing my undergrad dissertation on it.
This summer I will be attending two private courses: one on advanced condensed matter physics(with the goal of reaching Weyl semimetals). The professor of the other course aims to teach me the essentials of QFT and String theory that are needed for AdS/CFT.
 
  • #10
Your background for studying AdS/CFT is quite sufficient. Perhaps you can also take a course in string theory at the level of Zwiebach (A First Course in String Theory), but it's not necessary.
 
  • #11
Demystifier said:
Your background for studying AdS/CFT is quite sufficient. Perhaps you can also take a course in string theory at the level of Zwiebach (A First Course in String Theory), but it's not necessary.
Oh OK. So are there any tips you could give me in order to learn the prerequisites as fast and efficiently as possivble?
 
  • #12
My only tip is - be more self-confident! :smile:
 
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  • #13
Demystifier said:
My only tip is - be more self-confident! [emoji2]
Haha, this is maybe the single most important advice! Thanks
 
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