An overview of superstring theory. 26

In recent years the theory of superstrings (SST) has been a candidate for the Theory of Everything (TOE). Strings are idealized one-dimensional extended objects, a natural generalization of relativistic point particles. With SST one may have a quantum field theory whose internal consistency moreover requires a unique number of spacetime dimensions 26 for bosonic strings and 10 for superstrings. This is the subject of this chapter which proceeds from dual models and Veneziano formula to a discussion of the relativistic string. light cone and Hamiltonian quantization is followed by a treatment of Lorentz covariance and the spectrum of string excitations. The field theory limit of interacting strings leads to higher derivative corrections to the Einstein action. It ends with a discussion of superstrings, current problems and future prospects. (author). 5 refs.; 7 figs