String Theory: From Gauge Interactions to Cosmology: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on String Theory: From Gauge Interactions to Cosmology, ... II: Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry)

String Theory is our current best candidate for the unification of all fundamental forces, including gravity, in a consistent quantum framework. In this collection of lectures delivered at the Cargese Summer School "String Theory: from Gauge Interactions to Cosmology'', world leading experts provide an up-to-date survey of the latest developments in this topic, including the gauge/gravity correspondence, superstring cosmology and cosmic strings, topological string theory and matrix models, physics beyond the standard model and the landscape of vacua of string theory, conformal field theory and critical phenomena in statistical mechanics. Many more topics are also discussed in shorter contributions by School participants. Written with an emphasis on pedagogy, this volume will be a invaluable resource to students and experts alike." cover-image-large 1 front-matter 2 Chapter (1) 13 Chapter (2) 28 Chapter (3) 49 Chapter (4) 86 Chapter (5) 124 Chapter (6) 135 Chapter (7) 169 Chapter (8) 182 Chapter (9) 206 Chapter (10) 234 Chapter (11) 259 Chapter (12) 268 Chapter (13) 294 Chapter (14) 298 Chapter (15) 305 Chapter (16) 310 Chapter (17) 317 Chapter (18) 323 Chapter (19) 327 Chapter (20) 334 Chapter (21) 338 Chapter (22) 341 Chapter (23) 346 Chapter (24) 350 Chapter (25) 358 Chapter (26) 365 Chapter (27) 372 Chapter (28) 377 Chapter (29) 384 back-matter 388 Written with an emphasis on pedagogy, this is a collection of lectures delivered at the Cargese Summer School "String Theory: from Gauge Interactions to Cosmology''. It discusses the gauge/gravity correspondence, superstring cosmology and cosmic strings, topological string theory and matrix models, and critical phenomena in statistical mechanics. Edited By Laurent Baulieu ... [et Al.]. Published In Cooperation With Nato Public Diplomacy Division. Proceedings Of The Nato Advanced Study Institute On String Theory: From Gauge Interactions To Cosmology, Cargèse, France, 7-19 June, 2004--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References.