M(atrix) Theory: Matrix Quantum Mechanics as a Fundamental Theory
| dc.creator | Taylor, Washington | |
| dc.date | 2001-01-19 | |
| dc.date | 2001-02-02 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-07T11:31:52Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-07T11:31:52Z | |
| dc.description | A self-contained review is given of the matrix model of M-theory. The introductory part of the review is intended to be accessible to the general reader. M-theory is an eleven-dimensional quantum theory of gravity which is believed to underlie all superstring theories. This is the only candidate at present for a theory of fundamental physics which reconciles gravity and quantum field theory in a potentially realistic fashion. Evidence for the existence of M-theory is still only circumstantial---no complete background-independent formulation of the theory yet exists. Matrix theory was first developed as a regularized theory of a supersymmetric quantum membrane. More recently, the theory appeared in a different guise as the discrete light-cone quantization of M-theory in flat space. These two approaches to matrix theory are described in detail and compared. It is shown that matrix theory is a well-defined quantum theory which reduces to a supersymmetric theory of gravity at low energies. Although the fundamental degrees of freedom of matrix theory are essentially pointlike, it is shown that higher-dimensional fluctuating objects (branes) arise through the nonabelian structure of the matrix degrees of freedom. The problem of formulating matrix theory in a general space-time background is discussed, and the connections between matrix theory and other related models are reviewed. | |
| dc.description | 56 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX, revtex style; v2: references added | |
| dc.identifier | https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0101126 | |
| dc.identifier | http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0101126 | |
| dc.identifier | Rev.Mod.Phys.73:419-462,2001 | |
| dc.identifier | doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.73.419 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/197410 | |
| dc.subject | High Energy Physics - Theory | |
| dc.subject | General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology | |
| dc.subject | High Energy Physics - Phenomenology | |
| dc.subject | Quantum Physics | |
| dc.title | M(atrix) Theory: Matrix Quantum Mechanics as a Fundamental Theory | |
| dc.type | text |