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Tom Banks

Bio: Tom Banks is an academic researcher from Rutgers University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Supersymmetry & String theory. The author has an hindex of 57, co-authored 226 publications receiving 15298 citations. Previous affiliations of Tom Banks include Institute for Advanced Study & University of California.


Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the membrane states required by the supersymmetric matrix quantum mechanics are contained as excitations of the matrix model, which is a non-perturbative realization of the holographic principle.
Abstract: We suggest and motivate a precise equivalence between uncompactified 11-dimensional $M$ theory and the $N=\ensuremath{\infty}$ limit of the supersymmetric matrix quantum mechanics describing $D0$ branes. The evidence for the conjecture consists of several correspondences between the two theories. As a consequence of supersymmetry the simple matrix model is rich enough to describe the properties of the entire Fock space of massless well separated particles of the supergravity theory. In one particular kinematic situation the leading large distance interaction of these particles is exactly described by supergravity. The model appears to be a nonperturbative realization of the holographic principle. The membrane states required by $M$ theory are contained as excitations of the matrix model. The membrane world volume is a noncommutative geometry embedded in a noncommutative spacetime.

3,345 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A taxonomy of dynamical supersymmetry-breaking theories is provided, and the cosmological implications of the various types of models are discussed.
Abstract: We provide a taxonomy of dynamical supersymmetry-breaking theories, and discuss the cosmological implications of the various types of models. Models in which supersymmetry breaking is produced by chiral superfields which only have interactions of gravitational strength (e.g., string theory moduli) are inconsistent with standard big bang nucleosynthesis unless the gravitino mass is greater than \AA{}3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{4}$ GeV. This problem cannot be solved by inflation. Models in which supersymmetry is dynamically broken by renormalizable interactions in flat space have no such cosmological problems. Supersymmetry can be broken either in a hidden or the visible sector. However, hidden sector models suffer from several naturalness problems and have difficulties in producing an acceptably large gluino mass.

541 citations

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TL;DR: In this paper, the Euclidean partition function of Abelian lattice (gauge) theories in various dimensions was studied using generalizations of mathematical methods developed recently to study the XY model in two dimensions and physical pictures of the phases of these more complicated theories.

504 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the consequences of extended spacetime supersymmetry for classical superstring vacua with four dimensions uncompactified were examined, and it was shown that the effective field theories for classical vacua of superstring theories have no continuous global symmetries.

480 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the extent to which a local string theory dynamics in anti-de Sitter space can be determined from its proposed Conformal Field Theory (CFT) description.
Abstract: We explore the extent to which a local string theory dynamics in anti-de Sitter space can be determined from its proposed Conformal Field Theory (CFT) description. Free fields in the bulk are constructed from the CFT operators, but difficulties are encountered when one attempts to incorporate interactions. We also discuss general features of black hole dynamics as seen from the CFT perspective. In particular, we argue that the singularity of AdS_3 black holes is resolved in the CFT description.

455 citations


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TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the large-N limits of certain conformal field theories in various dimensions include in their Hilbert space a sector describing supergravityon the product of anti-de Sitter spacetimes, spheres, and other compact manifolds.
Abstract: We show that the large-N limits of certainconformal field theories in various dimensions includein their Hilbert space a sector describing supergravityon the product of anti-de Sitter spacetimes, spheres, and other compact manifolds. This is shown bytaking some branes in the full M/string theory and thentaking a low-energy limit where the field theory on thebrane decouples from the bulk. We observe that, in this limit, we can still trust thenear-horizon geometry for large N. The enhancedsupersymmetries of the near-horizon geometry correspondto the extra supersymmetry generators present in thesuperconformal group (as opposed to just the super-Poincaregroup). The 't Hooft limit of 3 + 1 N = 4 super-Yang–Mills at the conformal pointis shown to contain strings: they are IIB strings. Weconjecture that compactifications of M/string theory on various anti-de Sitterspacetimes is dual to various conformal field theories.This leads to a new proposal for a definition ofM-theory which could be extended to include fivenoncompact dimensions.

15,567 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of the super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions.
Abstract: Recently, it has been proposed by Maldacena that large $N$ limits of certain conformal field theories in $d$ dimensions can be described in terms of supergravity (and string theory) on the product of $d+1$-dimensional $AdS$ space with a compact manifold. Here we elaborate on this idea and propose a precise correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity: correlation functions in conformal field theory are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity. In particular, dimensions of operators in conformal field theory are given by masses of particles in supergravity. As quantitative confirmation of this correspondence, we note that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. With some further assumptions, one can deduce a Hamiltonian version of the correspondence and show that the ${\cal N}=4$ theory has a large $N$ phase transition related to the thermodynamics of $AdS$ black holes.

14,084 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, a correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity was proposed, where correlation functions in conformal fields are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity.
Abstract: Recently, it has been proposed by Maldacena that large $N$ limits of certain conformal field theories in $d$ dimensions can be described in terms of supergravity (and string theory) on the product of $d+1$-dimensional $AdS$ space with a compact manifold. Here we elaborate on this idea and propose a precise correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity: correlation functions in conformal field theory are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity. In particular, dimensions of operators in conformal field theory are given by masses of particles in supergravity. As quantitative confirmation of this correspondence, we note that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of $\N=4$ super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. With some further assumptions, one can deduce a Hamiltonian version of the correspondence and show that the $\N=4$ theory has a large $N$ phase transition related to the thermodynamics of $AdS$ black holes.

8,751 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the observational evidence for the current accelerated expansion of the universe and present a number of dark energy models in addition to the conventional cosmological constant, paying particular attention to scalar field models such as quintessence, K-essence and tachyon.
Abstract: We review in detail a number of approaches that have been adopted to try and explain the remarkable observation of our accelerating universe. In particular we discuss the arguments for and recent progress made towards understanding the nature of dark energy. We review the observational evidence for the current accelerated expansion of the universe and present a number of dark energy models in addition to the conventional cosmological constant, paying particular attention to scalar field models such as quintessence, K-essence, tachyon, phantom and dilatonic models. The importance of cosmological scaling solutions is emphasized when studying the dynamical system of scalar fields including coupled dark energy. We study the evolution of cosmological perturbations allowing us to confront them with the observation of the Cosmic Microwave Background and Large Scale Structure and demonstrate how it is possible in principle to reconstruct the equation of state of dark energy by also using Supernovae Ia observational data. We also discuss in detail the nature of tracking solutions in cosmology, particle physics and braneworld models of dark energy, the nature of possible future singularities, the effect of higher order curvature terms to avoid a Big Rip singularity, and approaches to modifying gravity which leads to a late-time accelerated expansion without recourse to a new form of dark energy.

5,954 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the holographic correspondence between field theories and string/M theory is discussed, focusing on the relation between compactifications of string theory on anti-de Sitter spaces and conformal field theories.

5,610 citations