M-theory
The M-theory is an attempt to extend and generalization of string theory in theoretical physics. This theory is an area of intense research because they hope to be able to describe all the known forces of nature consistent with it.
Details
The M-theory was born during the so-called second superstring revolution, with significant contributions by Edward Witten derived, in 1995 at a conference at the University of Southern California held about a much-publicized lecture. Here are the five known superstring theories (Type I, Type IIA and IIB and the two tables Straight string theories, in the picture with E8 and SO (32 ) refers ) and the elfdimensionale supergravity considered as limiting cases of a more fundamental theory.
The connections between the various theories are given by dualities, such as S- duality and T- duality. With their help, one can show that the different theories calculate the same results, but in different areas of their parameter space. Thus, it is possible to make statements about the underlying theory in different border areas, although an explicit formulation is not known.
The elfdimensionale supergravity takes in some ways a special position because it has the maximum number of dimensions for a supergravity theory, in contrast to the string theories which are formulated in ten dimensions. Elfdimensionale supergravity is also a classical (ie non- quantized ) theory, whereas the string theories are quantum theories. The connection of supergravity with the Straight tables E8xE8 string theory or type IIA is a compactification of the eleventh dimension on an interval ( in the figure referred to ) or on a circle ( ) is reached. Also, you look on the string side the supergravity - limit of the theory.
Nonperturbative statements to the M- theory can be made with the help of D- branes and M - branes. However, there is currently no full nonperturbative formulation of M-theory, which is also related that can not construct conformal field theory for more-than- one -dimensional objects (see Polyakov action).
The meaning given for the letter M in the name of the theory is not uniform. After Edward Witten, who introduced the term, it stands for "Magic, Mystery (English Mystery ) or membrane - depending on taste ." Other candidates that have been mentioned, matrix were ( according to a proposal for the M- theory by Tom Banks and other ), mother of all string theories and it was even suggested it stands for an inverted "W" as a synonym for " Witten " or that the letter " M" is the only letter next to the " W" five points harmoniously combines, with the five points represent the five previously conflicting string theories. In a 2013 published interview, he clarified: " Some of my colleagues thought it would be a elfdimensionale theory based on membranes. But I was not convinced that it is fully functional. I also did not know if she's wrong, and I did not contradict her. So I kept the M of "membrane" and said that it would show up with the times already, if the M for " magic," "mystery" or "membrane" is. Subsequently, the membranes were then derived from matrices and randomly intercepts the matrix theory with " M". "