The contemporary trends in the quantum unification of all interactions including gravity motivate this Course. The main goal and impact of modern string theory is to provide a consistent quantum theory of gravity. This, Course is intended to provide an updated understanding of the last developments and current problems of string theory in connection with gravity and the physics at the Planck energy scale. It is also the aim of this Course to discuss fundamental problems of quantum gravity in the present-day context irrespective of strings or any other models. Emphasis is given to the mutual impact of string theory, gravity and cosmology, within a deep a well defined programme, which provides, in addition, a careful interdisciplinarity. Since the most relevant new physics provided by strings concerns the quantization of gravity, we must, at least, understand string quantization in curved space-times to start. Curved space-times, besides their evident relevance m classical gravitation, are also important at energies of the order of the Planck scale. At the Planck energy, gravitational interactions are at least as important as the rest and can not be neglected anymore. Special care is taken here to provide the grounds of the different lines of research in competition (not just only one approach); this provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the real state of the discipline, and to learn it in a critical way.

The papers in this volume provide an updated status of the last developments and current problems in string theory in connection with gravity and the physics at the Planck scale. This volume also contains excellent discussions on fundamental problems of quantum gravity and the physics at the Planck energy scale in the present-day context, irrespective of strings or any other models.

The main goal and impact of modern string theory is to provide a consistent quantum theory of gravity. This book provides an updated collection of original new developments and fundamental research in string theory in connection with gravity and physics at the Planck energy scale.Topics treated in this volume by pioneering researchers in the field include: classical and quantum string dynamics in strong gravitational fields, space-time singularities, black holes and cosmological backgrounds; particle and string scattering at the Planck energy scale; string cosmology and its observational consequences; the new features of multistrings and of quantum particle transmutation for strings in curved spacetimes.The book deals with (i) the several new methods developed to solve the highly nonlinear string dynamics in curved spactimes: approximative perturbative methods, asymptotic expansions, exact local expansions and exact global (over the whole world sheet) string solitonic solutions, (ii) the string energy momentum tensor and the equation of state for the string matter, the stretching of the string size in spacetimes with event horizons and near spacetime singularities, (iii) the canonical and semiclassical quantization of strings in curved spacetimes and the physical effects found for: the mass spectrum, structure of levels, scattering amplitudes, number operator and particle transmutation.

Was the first book to examine the exciting area of overlap between philosophy and quantum mechanics with chapters by leading experts from around the world.

The book is based on lectures given at the TASI summer school of 2010. It aims to provide advanced graduate students, postdoctorates and senior researchers with a survey of important topics in particle physics and string theory, with special emphasis on applications of methods from string theory and quantum gravity in condensed matter physics and QCD (especially heavy ion physics).

The attempt to understand the nature of particle physics at the weak scale is the major goal of the current generation of collider facilities. Theorists attempt to stretch their theories to the Planck scale and beyond with the very ambitious theory of superstrings. Particle physics at all energy scales has important implications for the theory of the Early Universe. Lectures on Standard Model, Grand Unification and Supersymmetry and the present status of string and superstring theory are given by both theorists and experimentalists in a complete and pedagogical manner. Finally, lectures notes on the Early Universe, galaxy formation, and high energy colliders are directed specifically at particle physicists.