Duality in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent developments in string theory, focusing on dualities such as S-T-U dualities in compactified theories and their connection to M-theory, including dualities in lower dimensions and the concept of F-theory.

Contribution

It provides an introductory overview of dualities in string theory and discusses their implications for M-theory and lower-dimensional vacua.

Findings

S-T-U dualities in toroidally compactified string theories

Connection between string dualities and M-theory

Introduction to F-theory concepts

Abstract

In this lecture we review some of the recent developments in string theory on an introductory and qualitative level. In particular we focus on S-T-U dualities of toroidally compactified ten-dimensional string theories and outline the connection to M-theory. Dualities among string vacua with less supersymmetries in six and four space-time dimensions is discussed and the concept of F-theory is briefly presented. (Lecture given by J. Louis at the Workshop on Gauge Theories, Applied Supersymmetry and Quantum Gravity, Imperial College, London, UK, July 5--10, 1996.)