Introduction to String Theory

Sergio Cecotti graduated with a degree in physics from the University of Pisa in 1979, and has worked at Harvard University, UCLA, the CERN in Geneva and the ICTP in Trieste. He has taught physics at the University of Pisa, the International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste (SISSA), and now at BIMSA in Beijing.

• Chapter 1. The Polyakov path integral.- Chapter 2. Introduction to 2d conformal field theories.- Chapter 3. Spectrum, vertices, and BRST quantization.- Chapter 4. Tree and one-loop amplitudes in the bosonic string.- Chapter 5. Consistent 10d superstring, modular invariance, and all that.- Chapter 6. The Heterotic string: part I.- Chapter 7. Toroidal compactifications and T-duality (bosonic string).- Chapter 8. The Heterotic string: part II.- Chapter 9. Superstring interactions and anomalies.- Chapter 10. Superstring D-branes.- Chapter 11. Strings at strong coupling.- Chapter 12. Calabi-Yau compactifications. Appendix.

“This book is a well-organized and readable text on string theory. The preface and table of contents provide an overview of the book's content and its background. ... The book provides readers with a solid understanding of string theory, covering nearly all topics typically included in standard texts on the subject. Each chapter includes a thorough bibliography, and some chapters can stand alone.” (Farhang Loran, Mathematical Reviews, April 2025)