String Theory, problems and solutions

[malawi_glenn]

Main Question or Discussion Point

Hi

I was wondering if anyone knows a good book which contains problems and solutions to string theoretical physics for beginners.

 

[George Jones]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone knows a good book which contains problems and solutions to string theoretical physics for beginners.

You could try to work your way through Zwiebach's A First Course in String Theory. It has lots of easy exercises and more difficult problems, but it doesn't give solutions.

 

[malawi_glenn]

I have that book, and I know there is solution manual for teachers.

Was just wondering since I know there are such books for "everything else" :-)

 

[waht]

I'm not sure if McMahon's "String Theory Demystified" counts as a problem solution book, but according to reviews it's as simple as it gets.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071498702/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[malawi_glenn]

I'm not sure if McMahon's "String Theory Demystified" counts as a problem solution book, but according to reviews it's as simple as it gets.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071498702/?tag=pfamazon01-20

After demystifing his "QFT demystified" I am not sure if I want to go through his other books ;-)

 

[waht]

After demystifing his "QFT demystified" I am not sure if I want to go through his other books ;-)

Sorry didn't know it was that bad. I needed a simple overview once of something in QFT and couldn't find it in that book so I returned it.

 

[malawi_glenn]

Sorry didn't know it was that bad. I needed a simple overview once of something in QFT and couldn't find it in that book so I returned it.

The worst is all the sloppy errors, and that it is focused on particle physics, it should be called "particle physics demystified (with many typos)" LOL

 

[xepma]

Polchisnki is the way to go, String Theory Vol 1.

 

[malawi_glenn]

Polchisnki is the way to go, String Theory Vol 1.

I've hear many bad things about it, some consider Green & Witten's book "superstring theory" THE introductory textbook. But maybe the best is to start with Polchisnki's book after Zchwiebach due to its modernity?

 

[George Jones]

There is also another, more advanced introduction, String Theory and M-Theory: A Modern Introduction by Katrin Becker, Melanie Becker, and John H. Schwarz,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521860695/?tag=pfamazon01-20.

From its preface: "The reader is assumed to have some familiarity with quantum field theory and general relativity. It is also very useful to a have broad mathematical background. Group theory is essential, and some knowledge of differential geometry and basic concepts of topology is very desirable."

 

[xepma]

I've hear many bad things about it, some consider Green & Witten's book "superstring theory" THE introductory textbook. But maybe the best is to start with Polchisnki's book after Zchwiebach due to its modernity?

Polchinski certainly has its flaws, but for a lot of people it is still the way to go. The problem with the book is mostly that it's vague and technical at some points - the book is definitely not suitable of the less-technical reader. I don't have much experience with GSW but yea, it is also considered a classic.

Zwiebach is a nice book, but aimed at undergraduates. It hardly treats topics like conformal field theory and a lot (and I do mean a LOT) is left out. This book doesn't (or hardly) requires experience in QFT and GR and it introduces some of this material.

Becker, Becker and Schwarz is also a good choice, but a little less deep than Polchinski. The biggest difference between this book and Polchinski (or Green, Schwarz and Witten) is that it's also a modern book and treats some of the more advanced topics (M-theory, gauge/gravity duality) which do not appear in the older books. This is nice, because it gives you an idea of where modern-day research (i.e. the problems) stands.

If you've had classes in GR and QFT you should skip Zwiebach altogether and start with Becker, Becker, Schwarz if you wanna have a first, decent treatment on String Theory. If you really mean business skip to the more advanced texts such as Polchinski or Green, Schwarz, Witten. The latter books have a fairly steep learning curve though and you'll miss out on the modern day topics. But if you're really serious about learning string theory you eventually end up with these books anyway.

You can also follow the online class on this website (follows Polchinski Vol 1.):

http://www.pirsa.org/C09001

Edit: do note that GSW doesn't have any exercises.

 

[malawi_glenn]

Yeah, My thought was that i start with Zweibach, and then go on for some more advanved text. The thing is that I am in the middle of learning QFT and GR (i mean LEARNING it) and was hoping for making my diploma Masters thesis in String Theory and was actually hoping for doing ads/CFT correspondence.

And meanwhile, study string theory by using books and learning by practive (solving problems) and it is always good, when you are a beginner, to at least have the answer and hints to the problem you are solving so that you can build up a confidence in yourself.

So that was my plan, starting of easy with Zweibach meanwhile increasing my knoweledge in QFT and GR, then start the real deal.

 

[Omega137]

Sorry

Has anybody got solution manual to Katrin Becker Melanie Becker John H. Schwarz - String Theory and M-Theory: A Modern Introduction

It would be realy useful.