Dec 14 – 15, 2023
Centre for Particle Theory
Europe/London timezone

Understanding the target space of string theory at large alpha'

Dec 15, 2023, 11:00 AM
20m
Ph8 (Centre for Particle Theory)

Ph8

Centre for Particle Theory

Long Talk (20 mins) String Theory

Speaker

Nathan McStay (University of Cambridge)

Description

As a theory of quantum gravity, string theory is defined perturbatively around a fixed background metric. We quantify these perturbations to the metric using the inverse string tension, alpha'. We usually consider the supergravity limit of small alpha', yet it known to be possible to study beyond this regime when the background takes the form of a group manifold, such as AdS3. In this talk, I will discuss the interpretation of the target space geometry in the minimal tension limit of string theory on AdS3. We will find that the theory is most naturally written in the language of twistor theory and yet it will be possible to reinstate a more conventional spacetime interpretation. Time permitting, we will discuss applications to AdS/CFT.

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Primary author

Nathan McStay (University of Cambridge)

Presentation materials