Strings (Q1120138)

A brief informative discussion of modern string theory is given. In the introduction the author presents a few snapshots from the history of string theory concluding with the remark that the so-called \(E_ 8\times E_ 8\) heterotic string theory may provide the ultimate ``theory of everything''. Then he describes the achievements and defects of the standard model of particle interactions based on the notion of elementary point-like objects. In particular the need for a consistent quantum theory of gravitation is stressed. This is just the possibility of solving this problem that makes string theory so attractive. With this background some features of string theory are reconsidered. The necessity of considering higher dimensional space-time manifolds is pointed out and related to the idea of spontaneous compactification. Finally, the mathematical structure of quantum field theory is briefly discussed with emphasis on heuristic Feynman path integral approach, symmetries and anomalies cancellation as one of the guiding principles in building quantum models. The paper ends with some reading suggestions.