The readings are assigned in: Zwiebach, Barton. A First Course in String Theory. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2004. ISBN: 0521831431.
Course readings.
| Lec # |
Topics |
readings |
| 1 |
Announcements, Introduction
Lorentz Transformations |
pp. 3-16 (up to section 2.2) |
| 2 |
Light-cone Coordinates, Energy and Momentum |
pp. 16-28 (section 2.2-2.5) |
| 3 |
Compact Extra Dimensions and Orbifolds
Square Well with Extra Dimension
Relativistic Formulation of Maxwell's Equations |
pp. 28-49 (section 2.8-3.4) |
| 4 |
Electric Fields in Higher Dimensions
Planckian Units
Gravitational Constants and Compactification |
pp. 49-60 (section 3.5-3.9) |
| 5 |
Large Extra Dimensions
Nonrelativistic Strings and Lagrangian Mechanics |
pp. 60-72 (section 3.10-4.5) |
| 6 |
Nonrelativistic String Lagrangian
The Relativistic Point Particle: Action, Reparametrization Invariance and Equations of Motion |
pp. 72-87 (section 4.6- end of chapter 5) |
| 7 |
Relativistic Strings: Area Functional, Nambu-Goto Action, Equations of Motion and Boundary Conditions |
pp. 90-104 (section 6.1-6.5) |
| 8 |
Comments on Schwartz Inequality in a Two-dimensional Minkowski Space
Static Gauge, Transverse Velocity and String Action
Motion of Free Open String Endpoints |
Rest of chapter 6 |
| 9 |
The σ-Parameterization using the Energy carried by the String
Equations of Motion for Free Open Strings |
Chapter 7, pp. 116-124 |
| 10 |
Circular Motion of an Open String
Periodicity Conditions for the Motion of Closed Strings
The Formation of Cusps
Conserved Currents in E&M
Conserved Charges in Lagrangian Mechanics |
Chapters 7-8, pp. 124-135 |
| 11 |
Conserved Charges in Lagrangian Field Theory
Momentum Charges for the String
Lorentz Charges for the Strings
Angular Momentum of the Rotating String |
Finish chapter 8: pp. 135-146 |
| 12 |
Discuss α´ and the String Length /s
Begin Chapter 9 - General Gauges: Fixing τ and Natural Units
Associated σ-Parameterization of Open and Closed Strings |
Chapter 9, pp. 149-156 |
|
Test 1 |
|
| 13 |
Discuss Test
Finish Chapter 9 - Constraints, Wave Equations, and Mode Expansions
Light-cone Solution of the Equations of Motion |
Chapter 9, pp. 156-163 |
| 14 |
Light-cone Fields and Particles
An Action for Scalar Fields
Classical Plane-wave Solutions
Quantum Scalar Fields and Particle States |
Chapter 10, pp. 166-177 |
| 15 |
Photon States
Classical Motion of the Particle in the Light-cone Gauge
The Schroedinger and Heisenberg Pictures |
Chapter 10, pp. 177-183
Chapter 11, pp. 187-191 |
| 16 |
Quantization of the Point Particle
Quantum Particle and Scalar Particles
Light-cone Momentum Generators
Light-cone Lorentz Generators |
Chapter 11, pp. 191-202 |
| 17 |
Relativistic Quantum Open Strings |
Chapter 12, pp. 206-241 |
| 18 |
Relativistic Quantum Open Strings (cont.)
Relativistic Quantum Closed Strings |
Chapter 12, pp. 206-241
Chapter 13, pp. 247-267 |
| 19 |
Relativistic Quantum Closed Strings (cont.) |
Chapter 13, pp. 247-267 |
| 20 |
Dp-branes and Boundary Conditions
Quantizing Open Strings on Dp-branes
Open Strings between Parallel Dp-branes
Strings between Parallel Dp- and Dq-branes |
Chapter 14, pp. 275-295 |
| 21 |
Fundamental String Charge
Visualizing String Charge
Strings Ending on D-branes |
Chapter 15, pp. 307-321 |
| 22 |
T-duality of Closed Strings |
Chapter 17, pp. 386-405 |
| 23 |
T-duality of Closed Strings (cont.) |
Chapter 18, pp. 410-422 |
|
Test 2 |
|
| 24 |
Electromagnetic Fields on D-branes |
Chapter 19, pp. 425-438 |
| 25 |
Nonlinear and Born-Infeld Electrodynamics |
Chapter 20, pp. 442-453 |