Foundations of the AdS_5 x S^5 Superstring. Part I

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in understanding the spectrum of the AdS_5 x S^5 superstring, focusing on classical foundations, quantization, and scattering matrices, with some original insights.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of techniques for solving the spectral problem of the AdS_5 x S^5 superstring, including original explanations not found elsewhere.

Findings

Classical string theory foundations in AdS_5 x S^5 clarified

Light-cone perturbative quantization derived

Exact light-cone world-sheet scattering matrix obtained

Abstract

We review the recent advances towards finding the spectrum of the AdS_5 x S^5 superstring. We thoroughly explain the theoretical techniques which should be useful for the ultimate solution of the spectral problem. In certain cases our exposition is original and cannot be found in the existing literature. The present Part I deals with foundations of classical string theory in AdS_5 x S^5, light-cone perturbative quantization and derivation of the exact light-cone world-sheet scattering matrix.