Spelt, M;
(2009)
Constructing a “string theory” through the use of geometric algebra.
Masters thesis , Utrecht University.
Abstract
String theory has allowed us to make advances in theoretical physics by exchanging point particles for one-dimensionally extended ‘strings’ as elementary object; for example string theories are the only theories so far that may be called reasonably succesful in unifying gravity with quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, in the past string theory has also shown the nasty habit of popping up new problems whenever a next step is made, leading to compactified dimensions and manually inserted fermionic sectors. Geometric algebra is a mathematical formalism which has been developed since the late 19th century by mathematicians such as Grassmann and Clifford. It combines tensorial algebras with (differential) geometric concepts, allowing for the explicit expression of concepts like ‘plane’ ,‘rotation’, ‘angle’, ‘perpendicularity’ through mathematical objects called multivectors. In this research project, of which this is the final report, I have tried to combine the ‘best of both worlds’, by using geometric algebras to construct a physical theory of one-dimensional objects. I want to emphasise that this theory is based on string theory by borrowing concepts, I specifically do not claim that it is equivalent or better, or will solve string theory’s problems.
| Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Constructing a “string theory” through the use of geometric algebra |
| Event: | Utrecht University |
| Publisher version: | http://www1.phys.uu.nl/wwwitf/teaching/2009/Mischa... |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of Economics |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1333667 |
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