Introduction to Conformal Field Theory: With Applications to String Theory 2009th Edition

From the reviews:

“Conformal Field Theory (CFT) has found applications in string theory, statistical physics, condensed matter, and has been an inspiration for developments in pure mathemathics as well. … It is based on a graduate course at the LMU in Munich in 2007/2008 with special emphasis on computational issues, important for applications in string theory. … This book will be useful to graduate students interested in new mathematical developments in CFT techniques relevant for string theory.” (Gert Roepstorff, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1175, 2010)

“Based on a graduate course for master’s students, this book provides an introduction to basic techniques for conformal field theory in two dimensions, with emphasis on applications to string theory. … This book covers many aspects of conformal field theory with the intent of presenting concrete computational techniques in examples relevant for string theory. It provides an ideal resource for CFT techniques from related fields.” (Si Li, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2012 h)

Based on class-tested notes, this text offers an introduction to Conformal Field Theory with a special emphasis on computational techniques of relevance for String Theory. It introduces Conformal Field Theory at a basic level, Kac-Moody algebras, one-loop partition functions, Superconformal Field Theories, Gepner Models and Boundary Conformal Field Theory.

Eventually, the concept of orientifold constructions is explained in detail for the example of the bosonic string.

In providing many detailed CFT calculations, this book is ideal for students and scientists intending to become acquainted with CFT techniques relevant for string theory but also for students and non-specialists from related fields.