The Scalar-Tensor Theory of Gravitation [Hardcover]

A pedagogical exposition of the cosmological constant problem, emphasizing the scalar-tensor theory of gravitation.The scalar-tensor theory of gravitation moved into the limelight in recent years due to developments in string theory, M-theory and 'brane world' constructions. This book introduces the subject at a level suitable for both graduate students and researchers. It explores scalar fields, placing them in context with a discussion of Brans-Dicke theory, covering the cosmological constant problem, higher dimensional space-time, branes and conformal transformations. The authors emphasize the physical applications of the theory and thus provide a pedagogical overview of the subject, keeping more mathematically detailed sections for the appendices.The scalar-tensor theory of gravitation moved into the limelight in recent years due to developments in string theory, M-theory and 'brane world' constructions. This book introduces the subject at a level suitable for both graduate students and researchers. It explores scalar fields, placing them in context with a discussion of Brans-Dicke theory, covering the cosmological constant problem, higher dimensional space-time, branes and conformal transformations. The authors emphasize the physical applications of the theory and thus provide a pedagogical overview of the subject, keeping more mathematically detailed sections for the appendices.The scalar-tensor theory of gravitation moved into the limelight in recent years due to developments in string theory, M-theory and brane world constructions. This book introduces the subject at a level suitable for both graduate students and researchers. It explores scalar fields, placing them in context with a discussion of Brans-Dicke theory, covering the cosmological constant problem, higher dimensional space-time, branes and conformal transformations.Preface; Conventions and notation; 1. Introduction; 2. The prototype Brans-Dicke model; 3. Conformal transformation; 4. Cosmology wlãˆ