D-branes et orientifolds dans des espaces courbes ou dependant du temps

Abstract

In this thesis we study string theory with D-branes and possibly orientifolds in curved or time-dependent spaces. Our study aims at understanding some aspects of curved and time-dependent spaces, notably because of their importance in cosmology. The first chapter introduces some bases of string theory. The second chapter studies non-oriented strings on compact groups SU(2) and SO(3): after reviewing known results about D-branes in such spaces, we present our results on the position of orientifolds and their interaction with open and closed strings. The third chapter studies D-branes in certain backgrounds of Ramond-Ramond type, using S-duality, which links them with backgrounds of Neveu-Schwarz type, where calculations can be done. The last chapter considers strings on a D-brane embedded with a plane wave, and introduces tools which allow to study interactions in such a background.