What is M-theory and how does Edward Witten relate to it?

M-theory is a theoretical framework in physics that unifies all five consistent versions of superstring theory alongside eleven-dimensional supergravity. American theoretical physicist Edward Witten first conjectured its existence in 1995, triggering a major wave of research known as the second superstring revolution. Although a complete formulation of M-theory is not yet known, it is widely considered to describe two- and five-dimensional objects called branes.

What we know

• M-theory is a physical theory that unifies all five consistent versions of superstring theory. [1, 2]
• Edward Witten first conjectured the existence of M-theory at a 1995 string theory conference at the University of Southern California. [2]
• Witten's conjecture was informed by mathematical dualities connecting distinct string theories and by eleven-dimensional supergravity. [2]
• According to Witten, the letter M can stand for magic, mystery, or membrane depending on one's taste. [2]

Still open

• A complete formulation of M-theory is currently unknown.

Where to go next

• what followedWhat was the second superstring revolution?
• how it workedHow do S-duality and T-duality connect string theories?
• the bigger pictureWhat is eleven-dimensional supergravity?
• a case in pointWhat are matrix theory and the AdS/CFT correspondence?
• whoWho is theoretical physicist Edward Witten?
• an unexpected connectionHow did a physicist win a pure mathematics Fields Medal?Edward Witten became the first physicist to win the Fields Medal in 1990 for his profound insights bridging physics and pure mathematics.

Sources

• [1]M-theory (Wikidata Q232184) · CC0 1.0
• [2]M-theory · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Edward Witten · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Seiberg–Witten theory · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Hořava–Witten theory · CC BY-SA 4.0