Springer Approaches to Fundamental Physics: An Assessment of Current Theoretical Ideas: 721 (Lecture Notes in Physics, 721)

Product Description This book offers a portrait of the research landscape of present-day fundamental theoretical physics. It presents contributions on particle theory, quantum field theory, general relativity, quantum gravity, string theory and cosmology. The book examines a way of communicating about methods, achievements and promises of the different approaches which shape the development of this field. Review From the reviews: "This book is a summary of the latest developments and ideas on the problem of Quantum Gravity. … The author gives an extensive and extremely clear description of the experimental cosmological results. … nicely describes the limitations those experimental results impose on the creativity of the theoretical physicists. … if you want to learn where currently stand the boundaries of knowledge on the quantification of the gravitational field, and if you are not easily afraid of technicalities, this is the book you want to read." (Christophe Laforge, Belgian Physical Society Magazine, Issue 2, June, 2009) From the Back Cover This book presents contributions on particle theory, quantum field theory, general relativity, quantum gravity, string theory and cosmology. These represent the outcome of numerous discussions, taking place among the authors over a period of several years, about the research landscape of present-day fundamental theoretical physics. Indeed, the resultant book documents their attempt, out of their respective and highly specialized scientific positions, to find a way of communicating about methods, achievements and promises of the different approaches which shape the development of this field. It is therefore also an attempt to elucidate the connections between these approaches, and present them not as disjoint ventures but rather as facets of a common quest for understanding. Readers interested in fundamental approaches of theoretical physics will find this book highly stimulating and enlightening.