An Introduction To Twistor Theory

Evolving from graduate lectures given in London and Oxford, this introduction to twistor theory and modern geometrical approaches to space-time structure will provide graduate students with the basics of twistor theory, presupposing some knowledge of special relativity and differenttial geometry.

Deals with the twistor treatment of certain linear and non-linear partial differential equations. The description in terms of twistors involves algebraic and differential geometry, and several complex variables.

"Twistor theory is the remarkable mathematicl framework that was discovered by Roger Penrose in the course of research into gravitation and quantum theory. It has since developed into a broad many-faceted programme that attempts to resolve basic problems in physics by encoding the the structure of physical fields and indeed space-time itself into the complex analytical geometry of twistor space."--BOOK JACKET.

A text aimed at third year undergraduates and graduates in mathematics and physics, presenting elementary twistor theory as a universal technique for solving differential equations in applied mathematics and theoretical physics.

Geared toward students of physics and mathematics; presupposes no familiarity with twistor theory. "A huge amount of information, well organized and condensed into less than 200 pages." — Mathematical Reviews. 1989 edition.

In the two volumes that comprise this work Roger Penrose and Wolfgang Rindler introduce the calculus of 2-spinors and the theory of twistors, and discuss in detail how these powerful and elegant methods may be used to elucidate the structure and properties of space-time. In volume 1, Two-spinor calculus and relativistic fields, the calculus of 2-spinors is introduced and developed. Volume 2, Spinor and twistor methods in space-time geometry, introduces the theory of twistors, and studies in detail how the theory of twistors and 2-spinors can be applied to the study of space-time. This work will be of great value to all those studying relativity, differential geometry, particle physics and quantum field theory from beginning graduate students to experts in these fields.

Axiomatic set theory is the concern of this book.

Designed to give graduate students an understanding of integrable systems via the study of Riemann surfaces, loop groups, and twistors, this book has its origins in a lecture series given by the internationally renowned authors. Written in an accessible, informal style, it fills a gap in the existing literature.