Difference between revisions of "M-theory"
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M-theory is a theory conjectured to exist by [[Edward Witten]] of the Institute for Advanced Study, that would unify the five different superstring theories: [[Type IIA string theory]], [[Type IIB string theory]], [[Heterotic string theory]], [[SO(32) string theory]], and heterotic ''E''<sub>8</sub>×''E''<sub>8</sub> string theory; all of these seemingly different string theories are simply different limits of the same underlying M-theory. [[Edward Witten]] has used M-theory to explain a number of observed dualities, such as the T-duality, U-duality and S-duality. The discovery of M-theory is hailed by string theorists as the second superstring revolution. | M-theory is a theory conjectured to exist by [[Edward Witten]] of the Institute for Advanced Study, that would unify the five different superstring theories: [[Type IIA string theory]], [[Type IIB string theory]], [[Heterotic string theory]], [[SO(32) string theory]], and heterotic ''E''<sub>8</sub>×''E''<sub>8</sub> string theory; all of these seemingly different string theories are simply different limits of the same underlying M-theory. [[Edward Witten]] has used M-theory to explain a number of observed dualities, such as the T-duality, U-duality and S-duality. The discovery of M-theory is hailed by string theorists as the second superstring revolution. | ||
| − | In M-theory, the fundamental constituents of the universe are membranes, or p-brane where p is the dimensionality of the membrane. Thus the strings theorized in [[String | + | In M-theory, the fundamental constituents of the universe are membranes, or p-brane where p is the dimensionality of the membrane. Thus the strings theorized in [[String theory]] belongs in the class of 1 dimensional membranes, the 1-branes. |
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
Revision as of 02:50, March 31, 2007
M-theory is a theory conjectured to exist by Edward Witten of the Institute for Advanced Study, that would unify the five different superstring theories: Type IIA string theory, Type IIB string theory, Heterotic string theory, SO(32) string theory, and heterotic E8×E8 string theory; all of these seemingly different string theories are simply different limits of the same underlying M-theory. Edward Witten has used M-theory to explain a number of observed dualities, such as the T-duality, U-duality and S-duality. The discovery of M-theory is hailed by string theorists as the second superstring revolution.
In M-theory, the fundamental constituents of the universe are membranes, or p-brane where p is the dimensionality of the membrane. Thus the strings theorized in String theory belongs in the class of 1 dimensional membranes, the 1-branes.