Introduction to Modern Quantum Optics: (Proceedings of the Summer School, ICTP, Trieste, Italy, 2 June-4 July.)

In this volume, recent developments in the nonpertubative aspects of string theory - duality in N=1 string compactifications, orientifolds and F-theory, as well as the matrix model description of M-theory - are reported.

The phenomenological part is devoted mainly to supersymmetry and astroparticle physics.

After introductory lectures on the status of the standard model and on highlights in neutrino physics, the first series of lectures covers different aspects of supersymmetry, phenomenology, the flavour problem, masses and supersymmetry breaking.

There is also a series of lectures on astroparticle physics and cosmology including studies of inflation, theory of density pertubations and structure formation, topological defects, dark matter and baryogenesis.