scholarly journals Geometrical and topological foundations of theoretical physics: from gauge theories to string program

2004 ◽  
Vol 2004 (34) ◽  
pp. 1777-1836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Boi
Keyword(s):  
Gauge Theories ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Topological Properties ◽  
Superstring Theory ◽  
Abelian Gauge ◽  
Hidden Symmetries ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Recent Developments

We study the role of geometrical and topological concepts in the recent developments of theoretical physics, notably in non-Abelian gauge theories and superstring theory, and further we show the great significance of these concepts for a deeper understanding of the dynamical laws of physics. This work aims to demonstrate that the global topological properties of the manifold's model of spacetime play a major role in quantum field theory and that, therefore, several physical quantum effects arise from the nonlocal metrical and topological structure of this manifold. We mathematically argue the need for building new structures of space with different topology. This means, in particular, that the “hidden” symmetries of fundamental physics can be related to the phenomenon of topological change of certain classes of (presumably) nonsmooth manifolds.

scholarly journals GRIBOV PROBLEM FOR GAUGE THEORIES: A PEDAGOGICAL INTRODUCTION

2004 ◽  
Vol 01 (04) ◽  
pp. 423-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
GIAMPIERO ESPOSITO ◽  
DIEGO N. PELLICCIA ◽  
FRANCESCO ZACCARIA
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Gauge Theories ◽  
Functional Integral ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Spherically Symmetric ◽  
Abelian Gauge ◽  
Gauge Transformations ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Gribov Ambiguity ◽  
Gribov Copies

The functional-integral quantization of non-Abelian gauge theories is affected by the Gribov problem at non-perturbative level: the requirement of preserving the supplementary conditions under gauge transformations leads to a nonlinear differential equation, and the various solutions of such a nonlinear equation represent different gauge configurations known as Gribov copies. Their occurrence (lack of global cross-sections from the point of view of differential geometry) is called Gribov ambiguity, and is here presented within the framework of a global approach to quantum field theory. We first give a simple (standard) example for the SU(2) group and spherically symmetric potentials, then we discuss this phenomenon in general relativity, and recent developments, including lattice calculations.

scholarly journals David Ian Olive. 16 April 1937—7 November 2012

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 467-498
Author(s):  
Edward Corrigan ◽  
Peter Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Gauge Theories ◽  
Matrix Theory ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Physics Community ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Theoretical Physicist

David Olive, who died in Barton, Cambridgeshire, on 7 November 2012, aged 75, was a theoretical physicist who made seminal contributions to the development of string theory and to our understanding of the structure of quantum field theory. In early work on S -matrix theory, he helped to provide the conceptual framework within which string theory was initially formulated. His work, with Gliozzi and Scherk, on supersymmetry in string theory made possible the whole idea of superstrings, now understood as the natural framework for string theory. Olive’s pioneering insights about the duality between electric and magnetic objects in gauge theories were way ahead of their time; it took two decades before his bold and courageous duality conjectures began to be understood. Although somewhat quiet and reserved, he took delight in the company of others, generously sharing his emerging understanding of new ideas with students and colleagues. He was widely influential, not only through the depth and vision of his original work, but also because the clarity, simplicity and elegance of his expositions of new and difficult ideas and theories provided routes into emerging areas of research, both for students and for the theoretical physics community more generally.

scholarly journals Strong dynamics, composite Higgs and the conformal window

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (22) ◽  
pp. 1643003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Nogradi ◽  
Agostino Patella
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrum ◽  
Symmetry Breaking ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Gauge Theories ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Dynamical Symmetry ◽  
Higgs Particle ◽  
Abelian Gauge ◽  
Composite Higgs

We review recent progress in the lattice investigations of near-conformal non-Abelian gauge theories relevant for dynamical symmetry breaking and model building of composite Higgs models. The emphasis is placed on the mass spectrum and the running renormalized coupling. The role of a light composite scalar isosinglet particle as a composite Higgs particle is highlighted.

scholarly journals RUSSIAN THINKERS ABOUT THE BASES OF PHYSICAL REALITY

Metaphysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 140-150
Author(s):  
Yu. S Vladimirov
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Physical Reality ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Close Connection ◽  
Fundamental Physics

The article is devoted to the discussion of research in the field of fundamental theoretical physics in Russia. The role of fundamental physics and the attitude of a number of colleagues to it are shown. A close connection between the development of modern fundamental physics and the principles of metaphysics is indicated. Important considerations about the foundations of fundamental physics, expressed by well-known Russian scientists in the middle of the 20th century and at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, are presented.

scholarly journals The Power of Duality — Exact Results in 4D SUSY Field Theory

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (29) ◽  
pp. 5171-5182 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Seiberg
Keyword(s):  
Gauge Theories ◽  
Quantum Field Theories ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Strongly Coupled ◽  
Weakly Coupled ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Distance Behavior ◽  
Physical Phenomena

Recently the vacuum structure of a large class of four-dimensional (supersymmetric) quantum field theories was determined exactly. These theories exhibit a wide range of interesting new physical phenomena. One of the main new insights is the role of "electric–magnetic duality." In its simplest form it describes the long distance behavior of some strongly coupled, and hence complicated, "electric theories" in terms of weakly coupled "magnetic theories." This understanding sheds new light on confinement and the Higgs mechanism and uncovers new phases of four-dimensional gauge theories. We review these developments and speculate on the outlook.

scholarly journals THE POWER OF DUALITY — EXACT RESULTS IN 4D SUSY FIELD THEORY

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (27) ◽  
pp. 4365-4376 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. SEIBERG
Keyword(s):  
Gauge Theories ◽  
Quantum Field Theories ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Strongly Coupled ◽  
Weakly Coupled ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Distance Behavior ◽  
Physical Phenomena

Recently the vacuum structure of a large class of four-dimensional (supersymmetric) quantum field theories was determined exactly. These theories exhibit a wide range of interesting new physical phenomena. One of the main new insights is the role of "electric–magnetic duality." In its simplest form it describes the long distance behavior of some strongly coupled, and hence complicated, "electric theories" in terms of weakly coupled "magnetic theories." This understanding sheds new light on confinement and the Higgs mechanism and uncovers new phases of four-dimensional gauge theories. We review these developments and speculate on the outlook.

How do histone modifications contribute to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in C. elegans?

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 1019-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Woodhouse ◽  
Alyson Ashe
Keyword(s):  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Histone Methyltransferases ◽  
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Gene Regulatory

Gene regulatory information can be inherited between generations in a phenomenon termed transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI). While examples of TEI in many animals accumulate, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has proven particularly useful in investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. In C. elegans and other animals, the modification of histone proteins has emerged as a potential carrier and effector of transgenerational epigenetic information. In this review, we explore the contribution of histone modifications to TEI in C. elegans. We describe the role of repressive histone marks, histone methyltransferases, and associated chromatin factors in heritable gene silencing, and discuss recent developments and unanswered questions in how these factors integrate with other known TEI mechanisms. We also review the transgenerational effects of the manipulation of histone modifications on germline health and longevity.

THE NOTHING THAT REALLY IS!

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 4172-4177
Author(s):  
Abdul Malek
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dynamics ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Historical Evolution ◽  
Proper Understanding ◽  
Physical Universe ◽  
Wave Particle Duality ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Materialist Interpretation

The denial of the existence of contradiction is at the root of all idealism in epistemology and the cause for alienations.  This alienation has become a hindrance for the understanding of the nature and the historical evolution mathematics itself and its role as an instrument in the enquiry of the physical universe (1). A dialectical materialist approach incorporating  the role of the contradiction of the unity of the opposites, chance and necessity etc., can provide a proper understanding of the historical evolution of mathematics and  may ameliorate  the negative effect of the alienation in modern theoretical physics and cosmology. The dialectical view also offers a more plausible materialist interpretation of the bewildering wave-particle duality in quantum dynamics (2).

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