This book describes applications of the AdS/CFT duality to the "real world." The AdS/CFT duality is an idea that originated from string theory and is a powerful tool for analyzing strongly-coupled gauge theories using classical gravitational theories. In recent years, it has been shown that one prediction of AdS/CFT is indeed close to the experimental result of the real quarkgluon plasma. Since then, the AdS/CFT duality has been applied to various fields of physics; examples are QCD, nuclear physics, condensed-matter physics, and nonequilibrium physics.

The aim of this book is to provide background materials such as string theory, black holes, nuclear physics, condensed-matter physics, and nonequilibrium physics as well as key applications of the AdS/CFT duality in a single volume. The emphasis throughout the book is on a pedagogical and intuitive approach focusing on the underlying physical concepts. It also includes step-by-step computations for important results, which are useful for beginners.

This book will be a valuable reference work for graduate students and researchers in particle physics, general relativity, nuclear physics, nonequilibrium physics, and condensed-matter physics.

Provides an intuitive approach to highly technical materials as well as step-by-step computations of important results Is the first self-contained book with all background materials accessible to physicists learning elementary general relativity and field theory Covers key applications of AdS/CFT such as the viscosity of quarkgluon plasma, Wilson loops, second-order hydrodynamics, and holographic superconductors Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Dr.Makoto Natsuume
Theory Center
Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies
KEK, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization
Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801 Japan
Phone: +81-29-864-5396, FAX: +81-29-864-5755

Inhalt
Introduction.- General relativity and black holes.- Black holes and thermodynamics.- Strong interaction and gauge theories.- The road to AdS/CFT.- The AdS spacetime.- AdS/CFT - equilibrium.- AdS/CFT - adding probes.- Basics of nonequilibrium physics.- AdS/CFT - non-equilibrium.- Other AdS spacetimes.- Applications to quark-gluon plasma.- Basics of phase transition.- AdS/CFT - phase transition.