A Mathematical Introduction to String Theory: Variational Problems, Geometric and Probabilistic Methods

Classical string theory is concerned with the propagation of classical one-dimensional curves, i.e. "strings", and has connections to the calculus of variations, minimal surfaces and harmonic maps. The quantization of string theory gives rise to problems in different areas, according to the method used. The representation theory of Lie, Kac-Moody and Virasoro algebras has been used for such quantization. In this book, the authors give an introduction to global analytic and probabilistic aspects of string theory, bringing together and making explicit the necessary mathematical tools. Researchers with an interest in string theory, in either mathematics or theoretical physics, will find this a stimulating volume.