Duality Symmetries in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews duality symmetries in superstring theories, highlighting their role in understanding non-perturbative effects and the unique features of extended objects like strings and solitons.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of duality symmetries and their significance in the non-perturbative regime of superstring theories, including the role of open strings.

Findings

Duality symmetries distinguish pointlike and extended object theories.

They are crucial for understanding non-perturbative phenomena.

Open strings and solitons have a significant role in the emerging framework.

Abstract

We review the status of duality symmetries in superstring theories. These discrete symmetries mark the striking differences between theories of pointlike objects and theories of extended objects. They prove to be very helpful in understanding non-perturbative effects in string theories. We will also briefly discuss the strange role played by open strings and their solitons in the emerging scenario.