Glossary of string theory

Conventions

αβγ

How are these related? There is only one dimensional constant in string theory, and that is the inverse string tension \alpha^{\prime} with units of area. Sometimes \alpha^{\prime} is therefore replaced by a length l_s=\sqrt{\alpha^{\prime}}. The string tension is mostly defined as the fraction :\frac{1}{2\pi\alpha^{\prime}}. Tension is energy or work per unit length. In natural units c=1 and \hbar=1, and hence \alpha^{\prime} has dimension of length/energy or length/mass. Since \hbar has the dimension of action, i.e. momentum times length, it follows that in natural units mass =1/length, and so \alpha^{\prime} has the unit of area. The slope \alpha^{\prime} of a Regge trajectory \alpha(M^2) in Regge theory is the derivative of spin S or angular momentum with respect to mass-squared, i.e. :\frac{dS}{dM^2}. Since angular momentum is moment of momentum p, i.e. length times mass with c=1, S is dimensionless in natural units, and \alpha^{\prime} has units of 1/M^2 or area like the inverse string tension.

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A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

An 11-dimensional theory introduced in the second string theory revolution to unify the 5 known superstring theories. The letter M has been said to stand for membrane, matrix, magic, mystery, monster, and so on.}}

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

XYZ

References

• Becker, Katrin, Becker, Melanie, and John H. Schwarz (2007) *String Theory and M-Theory: A Modern Introduction *. Cambridge University Press.
• Binétruy, Pierre (2007) Supersymmetry: Theory, Experiment, and Cosmology. Oxford University Press. .
• Dine, Michael (2007) Supersymmetry and String Theory: Beyond the Standard Model. Cambridge University Press. .
• {{Cite book| author=Paul H. Frampton | title=Dual Resonance Models | publisher=Frontiers in Physics | year=1974 | isbn=0-8053-2581-6 | authorlink=Paul Frampton}}
• Michael Green, John H. Schwarz and Edward Witten (1987) Superstring theory. Cambridge University Press. The original textbook.
  • Vol. 1: Introduction. .
  • Vol. 2: Loop amplitudes, anomalies and phenomenology. .
• Kiritsis, Elias (2007) String Theory in a Nutshell. Princeton University Press. .
• Polchinski, Joseph (1998) String Theory. Cambridge University Press.
  • Vol. 1: An introduction to the bosonic string. .
  • Vol. 2: Superstring theory and beyond. .
• Szabo, Richard J. (Reprinted 2007) An Introduction to String Theory and D-brane Dynamics. Imperial College Press. .
• Zwiebach, Barton (2004) A First Course in String Theory. Cambridge University Press. . Contact author for errata.