Contribution
ICTP
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Budinich Lecture Hall (LB)
Introduction to the AdS-CFT conjecture from a GR perspective - Lecture 1
Description
The aim is to give a pedagogical introduction to AdS-CFT emphasising the GR and geometrical aspects of it. Description of how the conjecture relates certain field theories (CFTs) to certain quantum gravitational theories in asymptotically Anti-deSitter (AdS) spacetimes. Discussion about why this is interesting, and why the conjecture should be taken seriously. Focus on the explicit map between the two theories when the gravitational side has classical geometric character. Description of how certain field theory observables are mapped to geometric objects, and how geometry can then constrain and determine their behaviour. Discussion on some interesting open geometric questions which fall in the remit of mathematical GR.