How did S-Matrix theory affect the birth of String Theory?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The S-Matrix, developed by Heisenberg and others, significantly influenced the emergence of String Theory by providing a framework that connects it to Quantum Field Theory (QFT). This connection is crucial as it allows string theorists to translate String Theory into a more comprehensible mathematical language for QFT, thereby validating its relevance to physical reality. However, this translation has only been successful for three out of five String Theories, with Ed Witten's M-Theory still facing challenges. The complexities of this relationship were highlighted during the 2013 convention in Utrecht.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of S-Matrix theory
  • Familiarity with Quantum Field Theory (QFT)
  • Basic knowledge of String Theory concepts
  • Awareness of Feynman diagrams in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of S-Matrix in Quantum Field Theory
  • Explore the mathematical foundations of String Theory
  • Investigate the challenges of translating String Theory into QFT language
  • Watch Leonard Susskind's lectures on String Theory for a conceptual overview
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, theoretical researchers, and students interested in the foundational aspects of String Theory and its connections to Quantum Field Theory.

Ted Baas
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Can somebody please explain to me how the S-Matrix of Heisenberg and others helped influence the birth of String Theory. I keep hearing people say that String Theory came as a result of S-Matrix but I don't see the connection. Please keep maths to a minimal. Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
As far as I remember it came from QCD, and from a problem in Feynman diagrams in QCD.

You can watch Leonard Susskind lecture on String theory on youtube. (the maths is truly minimal there, so much that I stopped watching midway through the series; I prefer to lay on me the maths, I am not afraid... :-D).
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
As far as I remember it came from QCD, and from a problem in Feynman diagrams in QCD.

You can watch Leonard Susskind lecture on String theory on youtube. (the maths is truly minimal there, so much that I stopped watching midway through the series; I prefer to lay on me the maths, I am not afraid... :-D).

I would say, that the S Matrix is helping to downgrade Stringtheory into a kommensurable language for QFT. This was the first sign of success to prove that String theory has something to do with reality. Kind of indirect prove that String theory is not only any imaginary mindblow. All stringtheorists are now looking to "translate" Stringtheory into a QT like mathematical language, so that it can be proved indirectly. But as far as I know it is only successfull in 3 of 5 String Theorys. And for the Ed Wittens M Theory it isn't successfull yet.
In Utrecht 2013 we saw that this is not easy and will take much more time than we thought. Here you can get an insight into the Convention in Utrecht 2013
http://testweb.science.uu.nl/IGST13/
 

Similar threads

High School Balancing theories and empirical data, especially concerning string theory
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
9K
Graduate Are String Theory physicists violating the Scientific Method
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Graduate String theory and zeta function z(-1)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad Why String Theory Is Still Not Even Wrong
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
10K
Graduate How much funding/resources are spent in string theory research?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Graduate First order formalism of Polyakov action
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Graduate "Monstrous Higgs and Leech Spacetime"
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
4K
Graduate Does String Theory incorporate Kaluza Klein? How?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate Twistors and celestial holography
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
Graduate What is Non-Abelian Z-theory and how does it relate to gluon amplitudes?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K