We report on the first systematic study of correlation functions in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory using integrability techniques. In particular, we show how to compute three- and four- point functions of single-trace gauge-invariant operators at tree level in the SU(2) sector of the theory. Using the AdS/CFT correspondence, the correlation functions that we compute can be thought of as the joining or splitting of strings moving in AdS5 × S5. We show that when one (two) of the operators in the three-(four-)point function are taken to be small BPS operators, our weak coupling results match perfectly with the strong coupling results in the Frolov-Tseytlin limit. We conclude by presenting some results that will be needed to extend the methods presented in this thesis beyond the SU(2) sector of N=4 super Yang-Mills.

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This dissertation covers two different but related topics: the construction of consistent models in type IIB and heterotic string theories, and the higher derivative couplings for D-brane action, which will enable us to relate some models of type IIB to the heterotic side through duality chain. In the first part, we describe an alternative to the KKLT scenario, in which one can achieve de-Sitter space after fixing all moduli. We fix complex structure moduli and the axio-dilaton by deriving the stability conditions for the critical points of the no-scale scalar potential that governs the dynamics of the complex structure moduli and the axio-dilaton in compactifications of type IIB string theory on Calabi-Yau three-folds. In the second part, we show the existence of a class of flux backgrounds in heterotic string theory. The background metric we will consider is a T2 fibration over a K3 base times four-dimensional Minkowski space. Unbroken space-time supersymmetry determines all background fields except one scalar function which is related to the dilaton. The heterotic Bianchi identity gives the same differential equation for the dilaton, and we will discuss in detail the solvability of this equation for backgrounds preserving an N=2 supersymmetry. In the third part, we obtain the higher derivative D-brane action by using both linearized T-duality and string disc amplitude computation. We evaluate disc amplitude of one R-R field C^(p-3) and two NS-NS fields in the presence of a single Dp-brane in type II string theory. We obtain the action for the higher derivative brane interactions among one R-R field C^(p-3) and two NS-NS B-fields after carefully comparing the supergravity amplitudes with the corresponding string amplitude up to alpha^r2 order. We also show that these higher derivative brane couplings are invariant under both R-R and NS-NS B-field gauge transformations, and compatible with linear T-duality.

The Noether charge algebra of brane actions is typically modified by a topological anomalous term. The underlying cohomology of this anomalous term is investigated, and it is shown that the anomalous term possesses a gauge freedom. The result is that the anomalous term generates a parameterized family of topological charge algebras. When fermionic charges are taken to be nonvanishing, the known algebras underlying extended superspace formulations of the action appear in these families. This phenomena is investigated for minimal p-branes, Dp-branes and (p, q)-strings. The algebras resulting from the D-brane actions are shown to allow the construction of extended superspace actions without worldvolume gauge fields. It is shown that the actions are !-symmetric, and that the symmetry is generated by a right action. The global and local symmetry transformations of the Born-Infeld gauge field are thus shown to be described geometrically by left/right actions of the underlying extended supertranslation group. An equivalence class construction is proposed for the description of compact fermionic dimensions. In this construction, open strings in extended superspace translate to closed strings in compact superspace, and fermionic topological charges may be realized by closed strings. The differential underlying the descent construction for Noether charge algebras is shown to be naturally described as a dual of the de Rham differential. The ghost fields used in the construction are shown to be described geometrically as a vielbein with respect to this differential.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2005. / Adviser: Alexander Vilenkin. Submitted to the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 99). Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Adelaide, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (v. 1, p. 197-201).

Thesis (M. Mus)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Music Studies, 1993?

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physics and Mathematical Physics, 2003. / Bibliography: leaves 181-190.

Thesis (M.M.)--Conservatory of Music and Dance. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2008. / "A thesis in music composition." Advisor: Paul Rudy. Typescript. Duration: 15:00. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed Apr. 14, 2009 Online version of the print edition.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Jacques Distler. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.