String Theory: Volume 2, Superstring Theory and Beyond

Foreword; Preface; Notation; 10. Type I and type II superstrings; 11. The heterotic string; 12. Superstring interactions; 13. D-branes; 14. Strings at strong coupling; 15. Advanced CFT; 16. Orbifolds; 17. Calabi-Yau compactification; 18. Physics in four dimensions; 19. Advanced topics; Appendix B. Spinors and SUSY in various dimensions; References; Glossary; Index.

'In summary, these volumes will provide ... the standard text and reference for students and researchers in particle physics and relativity interested in the possible ramifications of modern superstring theory.' Allen C. Hirshfeld, General Relativity and Gravitation 'Polchinski is a major contributor to the exciting developments that have revolutionised our understanding of string theory during the past four years; he is also an exemplary teacher, as Steven Weinberg attests in his foreword. He has produced an outstanding two-volume text, with numerous exercises accompanying each chapter. It is destined to become a classic ... magnificent.' David Bailin, The Times Higher Education Supplement 'The present volume succeeds in giving a detailed yet comprehensive account of our current knowledge of superstring dynamics. The topics covered range from the basic construction of the theories to the most recent discoveries on their non-perturbative behaviour. The discussion is remarkably self-contained (the volume even contains a useful appendix on spinors and supersymmetry in several dimensions), and thus may serve as an introduction to the subject, and as an excellent reference for researchers in the field.' Mathematical Reviews