String theory: an update

TL;DR

This paper provides an overview of recent developments in string theory, covering realistic model building, geometric engineering, gauge-gravity duality, and time-dependent backgrounds, highlighting progress made in the past two years.

Contribution

It summarizes recent advances in string theory across four key areas, offering an updated perspective on the field's current state.

Findings

Progress in constructing standard model-like models from string theory

Advances in geometric engineering and flux compactifications

Enhanced understanding of gauge theory-gravity correspondence

Abstract

An overview of some of the developments in string theory over the past two years is given, focusing on four topics: realistic (standard model like) models from string theory, geometric engineering and theories with fluxes, the gauge theory-gravity correspondence, and time dependent backgrounds and string theory. Plenary talk at ICHEP'02, Amsterdam, July 24-31, 2002.