Lectures on D-branes, tachyon condensation, and string field theory

Abstract

These lectures provide an introduction to the subject of tachyon condensation in the open bosonic string. The problem of tachyon condensation is first described in the context of the low-energy Yang-Mills description of a system of multiple D-branes, and then using the language of string field theory. An introduction is given to Witten's cubic open bosonic string field theory. The Sen conjectures on tachyon condensation in open bosonic string field theory are introduced, and evidence confirming these conjectures is reviewed.

52 pages, 3 eps figures, Latex; lectures presented at CECS school on quantum gravity, Valdivia, Chile, January 2002