THEMATIC PROGRAMS

October  7, 2024

Coxeter Lecture Series 2000

Special Guest Lecturer
GRAEME SEGAL, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford

"THE IDEA OF SPACE IN STRING THEORY"

December 5, 6, and 7, 2000

Article on Lecture

Abstract:
"Space-time presents itself in string theory in the exotic form of a conformal quantum field theory. I shall describe the mathematical structures involved, how they relate to ordinary geometry, and how they play a role in other mathematical contexts, especially the representation theory of loop groups. The first lecture will set up the framework, and will then turn to loop groups. The second and third lectures will be concerned with space-time in string theory."

Some links to his work: http://www.cgtp.duke.edu/ITP99/segal/

His work with Greg Moore is in section 3 of his preprint hep-th/0012007 on the Los Alamos server.