String Theory Review for Beginner Graduate Students

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SUMMARY

This discussion provides essential resources for beginner graduate students seeking to understand string theory. Key recommendations include "A First Course in String Theory" by B. Zwiebach, "String Theory" Volumes 1 and 2 by J. Polchinski, and "Superstring Theory" by Green, Schwartz, and Witten. Additional resources include lecture notes by Tong and pedagogical materials by Lambert and Samtleben. The consensus is that Zwiebach serves as an excellent introductory text, while GSW combined with Tong's notes offers a deeper understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of theoretical physics concepts
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics
  • Knowledge of general relativity
  • Ability to read academic papers in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "A First Course in String Theory" by B. Zwiebach
  • Explore "String Theory" Volumes 1 and 2 by J. Polchinski
  • Review lecture notes on string theory by David Tong
  • Study "Superstring Theory" by Green, Schwartz, and Witten
USEFUL FOR

Beginner graduate students in theoretical physics, educators seeking teaching materials, and anyone interested in foundational concepts of string theory.

Casco
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Hi, I've been looking for a string theory review for a beginner graduate student. However, there is a vast number of reviews so it's easy to get lost. Does anyone know about a review article or any kind of material to begin with String Theory?

Thanks.
 
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Yes...
B. Zwiebach:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17360.A_First_Course_in_String_Theory

E. Kiritsis:
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8456.html

J.Polchinski (2 Vollumes):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521633036/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521633044/?tag=pfamazon01-20

There's also the Green & Schwarz & Wittens' 2 vollumes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521357527/?tag=pfamazon01-20

And finally a more advanced is the:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521860695/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Also there are some reviews which I had as recommended for the grad lecture on strings for WS:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/hep-th/0110055v3.pdf

http://srv2.fis.puc.cl/~mbanados/Cursos/Cuerdas/LustTheisen .pdf

and:
H.P. Nilles, Supersymmetry and phenomenology (Phys. Reps. 110 C (1984) 1)
 
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Zwiebach is great for a first exposure. For me the best way to learn it a bit more advanced was Green,Schwartz,Witten (Volume 1) combined with the notes of Tong. I've never understood why people like Polchinski or Becker2Schwarz as introductions, to be honest.

A beautiful first exposure to SUSY is the notes of Lambert. To understand SUGRA a bit more, the notes of Samtleben are very pedagogic. But GSW+Tong should do the trick also :P
 
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haushofer said:
combined with the notes of Tong.
Of topic: Tong has also written excellent notes on many other topics in physics. For example, I have learned a lot about Kinetic Theory from one of his notes.
 
Demystifier said:
Of topic: Tong has also written excellent notes on many other topics in physics. For example, I have learned a lot about Kinetic Theory from one of his notes.
Yes. I'm still waiting for his superstring notes, and I'd propably buy the book if it would come out.
 

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