Strings and Branes in Nonabelian Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces recent developments in formulating SU(N) gauge theories as string theories, highlighting the role of D-branes and conformally invariant models, in a pedagogical manner for non-string theorists.

Contribution

It provides a simplified, accessible overview of the connection between nonabelian gauge theories and string theory, emphasizing recent advances involving D-branes and conformal invariance.

Findings

SU(N) gauge theories can be reformulated as string theories.

Certain conformally invariant gauge theories have string representations.

The paper offers simplified arguments for these theoretical developments.

Abstract

It is an old speculation that SU(N) gauge theory can alternatively be formulated as a string theory. Recently this subject has been revived, in the wake of the discovery of D-branes. In particular, it has been argued that at least some conformally invariant cousins of the theory have such a string representation. This is a pedagogical introduction to these developments for non-string theorists. Some of the existing arguments are simplified.