String Theory and Particle Physics: An Introduction to String Phenomenology

by Luis E. Ibáñez, Angel M. Uranga

Overview

String theory is one of the most active branches of theoretical physics and has the potential to provide a unified description of all known particles and interactions. This book is a systematic introduction to the subject, focused on the detailed description of how string theory is connected to the real world of particle physics. Aimed at graduate students and researchers working in high energy physics, it provides explicit models of physics beyond the Standard Model. No prior knowledge of string theory is required as all necessary material is provided in the introductory chapters. The book provides particle phenomenologists with the information needed to understand string theory model building and describes in detail several alternative approaches to model building, such as heterotic string compactifications, intersecting D-brane models, D-branes at singularities and F-theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521517522
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/09/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	688
Product dimensions:	6.89(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.42(d)

About the Author

Luis E. Ibáñez is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and member of the Instituto de Física Teórica-UAM/CSIC. One of the world leaders in physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, he has made important contributions to the construction of the supersymmetric Standard Model and superstring phenomenology.

Angel M. Uranga is Research Professor at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas at the Instituto de Física Teórica-UAM/CSIC. He is one of the leading young string theorists working in the construction of models of particle physics, in particular due to his contribution on the use of D-branes to build realistic brane-world models.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. The standard model and beyond; 2. Supersymmetry; 3. Introduction to string theory: the bosonic string; 4. Superstrings; 5. Toroidal compactification of superstrings; 6. Branes and string duality; 7. Calabi–Yau compactifications of heterotic superstrings; 8. Heterotic string orbifolds and other exact CFT constructions; 9. Heterotic string compactifications: effective action; 10. Type IIA orientifold compactifications: intersecting brane worlds; 11. Type IIB orientifold compactifications; 12. Type II compactifications: effective action; 13. String instantons and effective field theory; 14. Flux compactifications and moduli stabilization; 15. Moduli stabilization and supersymmetry breaking in string theory; 16. Further phenomenological properties. Strings and cosmology; 17. The space of string vacua; Appendices; Index.

Editorial Reviews

ENDORSEMENT:
"… invaluable as a textbook for curious students, and a reference volume of lasting value for experts working in the field. If, as many of us hope, the LHC era reveals new clues linking particle physics to string-scale physics, acquaintance with the material in this volume may well provide crucial tools for exploring and exploiting those links."
Shamit Kachru, Stanford University and SLAC

ENDORSEMENT:
"A clear exposition of the main ideas and ingredients necessary to connect string theory to the real world. An essential toolkit for the string theory model builder"
Juan Maldacena, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

ENDORSEMENT:
"…invaluable and comprehensive material for graduate students entering the field, for non-string theorists who want to expand their research projects but also as the best authoritative source of information for active string theorists. This will be the standard reference on this active field for years to come."
Fernando Quevedo, Professor of Theoretical Physics, DAMTP, University of Cambridge and Director ICTP, Trieste

ENDORSEMENT:
"The scope of this book is impressive, covering all the major developments in the construction of compactified string theories. As an introduction to string theory it is excellent and, as a tool for constructing realistic models, unmatched. Essential reading for all those wishing to study string theory in depth and an invaluable reference for those already expert in the field."
Graham Ross, University of Oxford

"This is an excellent book which will introduce the reader to the main topics of relevance in string phenomenology today, and it is also a very good reference book. As well as wide coverage, the authors have included many helpful comments and discussions about specific methods and models. In addition, the production of the book is of very high quality, making it enjoyable to read. Naturally the field is continually progressing so this book will not always be cutting-edge, but I think it will likely remain a very useful introductory text for many years to come."
Douglas J. Smith, Mathematical Reviews

From the Publisher