A New View of Space from String Theory and String Cosmology
Robert Brandenberger (Physics Department, McGill University)
String theory is the best candidate for a quantum theory which
unifies all four known forces of nature. However, string theory
is mathematically consistent only in a ten-dimensional space-time.
This forces physicists to reconsider the role of space. The question
of why we observe only three spatial dimensions now becomes
a question which can be addressed using the tools of a physical
science. I will discuss the changing role of space resulting from
developments in string theory. I will also outline a new theory
of the very early universe which results from combining string theory
and cosmology.