The singularity problem in string theory

Abstract

We review the current status of the singularity problem in string theory for non-experts. After the problem is discussed from the point of view of supergravity, we discuss classic examples and recent examples of singularity resolution in string theory.

16 pages, 6 figures, LaTeX; v2: added discussion and references; Based on lectures presented at "Frontier of Cosmology and Gravitation" (April 25-27 2001, YITP), "QFT2001" (July 16-19 2001, YITP), and the Fall Meeting 2001 of the Physical Society of Japan (Sep. 22-25 2001)

References in corpus (30)

• Large N Field Theories, String Theory and Gravity
• The Black Hole in Three Dimensional Space Time
• Hierarchies from Fluxes in String Compactifications
• Phases of $N=2$ Theories In Two Dimensions
• Dielectric-Branes
• Supergravity description of field theories on curved manifolds and a no go theorem
• Black Strings and p-Branes are Unstable
• Supergravity and The Large N Limit of Theories With Sixteen Supercharges
• Massless Black Holes and Conifolds in String Theory
• Gravity Duals of Supersymmetric SU(N) x SU(N+M) Gauge Theories
• Duality, Quotients, and Currents
• The String Dual of a Confining Four-Dimensional Gauge Theory
• Higher-dimensional resolution of dilatonic black hole singularities
• Don't Panic! Closed String Tachyons in ALE Spacetimes
• Gauge Theory and the Excision of Repulson Singularities
• Exact Three Dimensional Black Holes in String Theory
• The Coulomb Branch of Gauge Theory from Rotating Branes
• String Theory on Calabi-Yau Manifolds
• Fate of the Black String Instability
• On singularities of spherically symmetric backgrounds in string theory
• Gauge Dual and Noncommutative Extension of an N=2 Supergravity Solution
• Instability of charged black holes in anti-de Sitter space
• Superstars and Giant Gravitons
• Gravitational Collapse and Cosmic Censorship
• Orientifold, Geometric Transition and Large N Duality for SO/Sp Gauge Theories
• On exact solutions and singularities in string theory
• String theory on three dimensional black holes
• M-Theory Dynamics On A Manifold Of G_2 Holonomy
• String/M-branes for Relativists
• Branes for Relativists

Cited by in corpus (10)

• Effective Quantum Extended Spacetime of Polymer Schwarzschild Black Hole
• Causal Structure of a recent Loop Quantum Gravity Black Hole Collapse Model
• Effective Quantum Dust Collapse via Surface Matching
• Quantum probes of timelike naked singularities in the weak field regime of $f(R)$ global monopole spacetime
• Naked Singularity and Thunderbolt
• Quantum probes of timelike naked singularities in $2+1-$ dimensional power - law spacetimes
• Populating the swampland: the case of U(1)^496 and E_8 x U(1)^248
• The Physical Relevance of the Fiducial Cell in Loop Quantum Cosmology
• Phases of Braneworlds, Spinning D3-branes and Strongly-Coupled Gauge Theories
• Wavy way to the Kerr metric and the quantum nature of its ring singularity