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This book, first published in 2007, is an introductory textbook on quantum field theory in gravitational backgrounds intended for undergraduate and beginning graduate students in the fields of theoretical astrophysics, cosmology, particle physics, and string theory. The book covers the basic (but essential) material of quantization of fields in an expanding universe and quantum fluctuations in inflationary spacetime. It also contains a detailed explanation of the Casimir, Unruh, and Hawking effects, and introduces the method of effective action used for calculating the back-reaction of quantum systems on a classical external gravitational field. The broad scope of the material covered will provide the reader with a thorough perspective of the subject. Every major result is derived from first principles and thoroughly explained. The book is self-contained and assumes only a basic knowledge of general relativity. Exercises with detailed solutions are provided throughout the book.

Quantum field theory --- Quantum gravity --- Gravity --- Théorie quantique des champs --- Gravité quantique --- Gravité --- Gravity. --- Quantum field theory. --- Quantum gravity. --- Théorie quantique des champs --- Gravité quantique --- Gravité --- Geophysics --- Mechanics --- Pendulum --- Gravity, Quantum --- General relativity (Physics) --- Gravitation --- Quantum theory --- Relativistic quantum field theory --- Field theory (Physics) --- Relativity (Physics)

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One appealing feature of string theory is that it provides a theory of quantum gravity. Gravity and Strings is a self-contained, pedagogical exposition of this theory, its foundations and its basic results. In Part I, the foundations are traced back to the very early special-relativistic field theories of gravity, showing how such theories lead to general relativity. Gauge theories of gravity are then discussed and used to introduce supergravity theories. In Part II, some of the most interesting solutions of general relativity and its generalizations are studied. The final Part presents and studies string theory from the effective action point of view, using the results found earlier in the book as background. This 2004 book will be useful as a reference book for graduate students and researchers, as well as a complementary textbook for courses on gravity, supergravity and string theory.

Quantum gravity --- String models --- Gravité quantique --- Modèles des cordes vibrantes (Physique nucléaire) --- Quantum gravity. --- String models. --- 531.5 --- 530.145 --- Models, String --- String theory --- Nuclear reactions --- Gravity, Quantum --- General relativity (Physics) --- Gravitation --- Quantum theory --- Gravity. Gravitation. Pendulums. Ballistics --- 530.145 Quantum theory --- 531.5 Gravity. Gravitation. Pendulums. Ballistics --- Gravité quantique --- Modèles des cordes vibrantes (Physique nucléaire)