THE BEKENSTEIN FORMULA AND STRING THEORY (N-BRANE THEORY)

A review of recent progress in string theory concerning the Bekenstein formula for black hole entropy is given. Topics discussed include p-b ranes, D-branes and supersymmetry; the correspondence principle; the D - and M-brane approach to black hole entropy; the D-brane analogue of Hawking radiation and information loss; D-branes as probes of black ho les and the matrix theory approach to charged and neutral black holes. Some introductory material is included, as are some very brief remark s on the AdS/CFT correspondence.