The dimension of spacetime

Citation

Rosenthal, Philip J. (1993) The dimension of spacetime. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/5q06-5105. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03062009-162225

Abstract

The implications of string theory for the dimension of spacetime are investigated by two methods. First, a new potential class of string theories is studied, which have critical dimensions 3, 4 and 6. In particular, the partition functions of these theories are derived and interpreted using generalized GSO projection. The possible uniqueness of field assignments, as well as the bosonization of the K = 4 model are also addressed. Second, using recent ideas in string cosmology, a new model is proposed to explain why three spatial dimensions grew large. Unlike the original work of Brandenberger and Vafa, this paradigm uses the theory of random walks. A simple computer model is developed to test the implications of this new approach. It is found that a four-dimensional spacetime can be explained by the proper choice of initial conditions.

Thesis Files