Posted on 11/16/2011 5:53:30 PM PST by neverdem
Twenty-three-year-old conjecture set to guide future quantum field theories.
When John Cardy proposed a far-reaching principle to constrain all possible theories of quantum particles and fields1, he expected it to be quickly rebutted. But for almost 25 years that hasnt happened and it now seems that his theorem may have been quietly proved earlier this year.
If the solution holds, it is likely to guide future attempts to explain physics beyond the current standard model. It will certainly have implications for any previously unknown particles that may be discovered at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, Europes particle physics lab near Geneva, Switzerland.
Im pleased if the proof turns out to be correct," says Cardy, a theoretical physicist at the University of Oxford, UK. Im quite amazed the conjecture I made in 1988 stood up.
His conjecture is called the a-theorem. It says that the number of ways in which quantum fields can be energetically excited (a) is always greater at high energies than at low energies.
The proposed proof2, from theorists Zohar Komargodski and Adam Schwimmer of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, was put forward in July 2011, and is now gradually gaining acceptance as other theoretical physicists have a chance to check it.
I think its quite likely to be right, says Nathan Seiberg, a theoretical physicist at the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
Many quantum field theories have yet to be exactly solved, meaning that they cannot be used to produce comprehensive predictions of what particles will do. One example is quantum chromodynamics the theory of the strong nuclear force that describes the interactions between quarks and gluons. That lack leaves physicists struggling to relate physics at the high-energy, short-distance scale of quarks to the physics at longer-distance,...
(Excerpt) Read more at nature.com ...
Cheers!
Cheers!
Thanks!
"Beyond Einstein's Unified Field: Gravity and Electro-magnetism Redefined" John Brandenburg, PhD.
I've actually observed the truth of your second statement, but never in the case of your first statement. Now, that's just a layman's observation. Your mileage may vary.
I suppose that the work of some theoretical physicists has produced solutions and insights that engineers were able to apply in the real world. That kind of thinking is something that I can admire and appreciate, because it leads to tangible advancements for everyone.
What I have a problem with, are all these government tit sucking eggheads who sit around postulating 11 dimensions, dark matter, the multiverse, etc. Perhaps their work will one day lead to something worthwhile that benefits the human race, but from where I sit, it's too far out for me to see.
Gadzooks, Cardy! If it's over 100 proof, it has quite a kick to it... but don't stop sipping less than 100 proof 'cause it may cause you to loose you buzz. Right, Deano?
You got it, Bend... just keep on drinking!
If red X above go to http://nuravebrainwave.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Dean+Martin+winedrinker.png
Almost always true in the case of "experimental physicists", almost never true in the case of "theoretical physicists".
There are some truly gifted individuals who can do both extremely well. Einstein was NOT one of them. I think Robert Bussard was.
I forget which high level physicist the comment was made of (it might even have been Einstein), that apparatus started to break as soon as he walked through the door..... :^)
If the solution holds, it is likely to guide future attempts to explain physics beyond the current standard model.Good, the stanard models always stink.
LOL! My point exactly.
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