Particles, Fields and Spacetime
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Mathematical Sciences
Abstract
All matter in the universe and the fundamental forces apart from gravity appear to be well described by particle theories, in which the fundamental components of matter are pointlike particles, which interact by exchanging other kinds of particles. Quantum field theory is the mathematical language describing these particle theories; the particles describing forces are described by a class of theories called gauge theories. However, it appears we need to go beyond quantum field theory to include gravity. The leading candidate for this extension is string theory, which is based on the idea that the particles are actually one-dimensional loops of string, with the interactions described by smooth surfaces connecting different strings.
One strand of our research is the development of new tools for computations in quantum field theory. In one line of research, it has been understood that certain gauge theories have additional previously unsuspected symmetries, which explain the mysterious simplicity of some computational results. This has been developed to obtain more efficient calculational techniques for increasingly general questions. In an independent line, a symmetry called conformal symmetry has been newly exploited to constrain the particle content and interactions of theories with this symmetry. We aim to develop these tools further and bring them together with the long-term goal of completely solving the simplest, most symmetric theories. We also have a broad programme of research on aspects of field theory far from the vacuum, including work on smooth classical solutions (solitons) and their moduli spaces, and special classes of field theories where the theory is completely solvable (integrable models).
Work on string theory has led to the discovery that some quantum field theories can be related to string theories in a space with more dimensions; this is referred to as holography. Some difficult questions in the field theory can be mapped to simpler questions in the higher-dimensional space. This also provides a new perspective on string theory, which can be used to deepen our understanding of gravity. We are studying the application of these techniques to field theories used to study interesting new phases of matter, and we are exploring the role of intrinsically quantum mechanical features of the field theory in the emergence of the higher-dimensional geometry.
Cosmology is the study of the very early universe. This has a long history of fruitful interaction with particle theory, and we are developing this further, relating new developments in field theory to cosmological observations. For example, we are studying the role of the Hiss boson recently discovered at CERN in cosmological evolution.
One strand of our research is the development of new tools for computations in quantum field theory. In one line of research, it has been understood that certain gauge theories have additional previously unsuspected symmetries, which explain the mysterious simplicity of some computational results. This has been developed to obtain more efficient calculational techniques for increasingly general questions. In an independent line, a symmetry called conformal symmetry has been newly exploited to constrain the particle content and interactions of theories with this symmetry. We aim to develop these tools further and bring them together with the long-term goal of completely solving the simplest, most symmetric theories. We also have a broad programme of research on aspects of field theory far from the vacuum, including work on smooth classical solutions (solitons) and their moduli spaces, and special classes of field theories where the theory is completely solvable (integrable models).
Work on string theory has led to the discovery that some quantum field theories can be related to string theories in a space with more dimensions; this is referred to as holography. Some difficult questions in the field theory can be mapped to simpler questions in the higher-dimensional space. This also provides a new perspective on string theory, which can be used to deepen our understanding of gravity. We are studying the application of these techniques to field theories used to study interesting new phases of matter, and we are exploring the role of intrinsically quantum mechanical features of the field theory in the emergence of the higher-dimensional geometry.
Cosmology is the study of the very early universe. This has a long history of fruitful interaction with particle theory, and we are developing this further, relating new developments in field theory to cosmological observations. For example, we are studying the role of the Hiss boson recently discovered at CERN in cosmological evolution.
Planned Impact
Our work primarily has an academic impact, through the contribution to knowledge about the fundamental nature of forces and spacetime. This includes impact on related academic disciplines, where connections between different areas such as the holographic relations of field theories to gravity and new calculational techniques can be applied to study a wide range of questions, including aspects of the properties of matter with potential real-world implications. We have an active engagement with outreach activities at local, national and international levels which has an impact on school children and the public at large.
Organisations
Publications
Reynolds A
(2018)
Complexity of the AdS soliton
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Ahmed W
(2019)
Conical holographic heat engines
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Gregory R
(2018)
Evolving black holes in inflation
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Donos A
(2020)
Incoherent hydrodynamics and density waves
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Dorigoni, D
(2019)
Modular graph functions and asymptotic expansions of Poincare series
in Communications in Number Theory and Physics
Cuspinera L
(2019)
Higgs vacuum decay in a braneworld
in International Journal of Modern Physics D
Bastero-Gil M
(2018)
The role of fluctuation-dissipation dynamics in setting initial conditions for inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Prokopec T
(2018)
Functional renormalization group for stochastic inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Glavan D
(2021)
One-loop electromagnetic correlators of SQED in power-law inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Gregory R
(2017)
Black hole thermodynamics with dynamical lambda
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Donos A
(2018)
Diffusion for holographic lattices
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Arenas-Henriquez G
(2022)
On acceleration in three dimensions
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Farrow J
(2018)
New worldsheet formulae for conformal supergravity amplitudes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Abl T
(2021)
Towards the Virasoro-Shapiro amplitude in AdS5×S5
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Heslop P
(2018)
Multi-particle amplitudes from the four-point correlator in planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Maloney A
(2019)
Generalized Gibbs ensemble and the statistics of KdV charges in 2D CFT
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Faedo A
(2019)
A supersymmetric color superconductor from holography
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Gregory R
(2020)
Black holes, oscillating instantons and the Hawking-Moss transition
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Del Zotto M
(2020)
Higher form symmetries of Argyres-Douglas theories
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Ferreira L
(2019)
Self-dual sectors for scalar field theories in (1 + 1) dimensions
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Donos A
(2019)
Hydrodynamics of broken global symmetries in the bulk
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Lambert N
(2019)
Non-Lorentzian M5-brane theories from holography
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Abl T
(2019)
Recursion relations for anomalous dimensions in the 6d (2, 0) theory
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Anabalón A
(2019)
Thermodynamics of charged, rotating, and accelerating black holes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Donos A
(2018)
Incoherent transport for phases that spontaneously break translations
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Maloney A
(2019)
Thermal correlation functions of KdV charges in 2D CFT
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Donos A
(2019)
Holographic transport and density waves
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Okazaki T
(2018)
Matrix supergroup Chern-Simons models for vortex-antivortex systems
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Albertini F
(2020)
Higher form symmetries and M-theory
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Hogervorst M
(2017)
Crossing symmetry in alpha space
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aprile F
(2018)
Quantum gravity from conformal field theory
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Balasubramanian V
(2020)
Spin structures and baby universes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Appels M
(2020)
Are "Superentropic" black holes superentropic?
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Heslop P
(2018)
M-theory beyond the supergravity approximation
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Giedt J
(2018)
3d $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ super-Yang-Mills on a lattice
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Donos A
(2020)
Holographic Abrikosov lattices
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Homrich A
(2019)
The S-matrix bootstrap IV: multiple amplitudes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Appels M
(2017)
Black hole thermodynamics with conical defects
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Klimas P
(2018)
Oscillons in a perturbed signum-Gordon model
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aprile F
(2020)
Single particle operators and their correlators in free $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Paulos M
(2019)
The S-matrix bootstrap. Part III: higher dimensional amplitudes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Dorigoni D
(2019)
Picard-Lefschetz decomposition and Cheshire Cat resurgence in 3D $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 field theories
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Etxebarria I
(2020)
Nothing is certain in string compactifications
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Andrade T
(2018)
Large D holography with metric deformations
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Aprile F
(2018)
Loop corrections for Kaluza-Klein AdS amplitudes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Chicherin D
(2018)
Wilson loop form factors: a new duality
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Donos A
(2018)
Boomerang RG flows with intermediate conformal invariance
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Bounakis M
(2018)
Gravitational corrections to Higgs potentials
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Fallows S
(2021)
Islands and mixed states in closed universes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Lambert N
(2020)
Bosonic symmetries of (2, 0) DLCQ field theories
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Description | Collaboration on Global Categorical Symmetry |
Amount | £457,835 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 88976 and 888990 |
Organisation | Simons Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 10/2021 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | LMS Scheme 3 Grant |
Amount | £1,200 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 31730 |
Organisation | London Mathematical Society |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2017 |
End | 09/2018 |
Description | Quantum Symmetries in String Theory |
Amount | £951,019 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/T018909/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2020 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | Royal Society Research Fellow Enhancement Award |
Amount | £92,938 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RGF\EA\180182 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2018 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | Supersymmetric Gauge Theory and Enumerative Geometry |
Amount | £737,550 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T004746/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2019 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | University Research Fellowships Renewals 2020 |
Amount | £395,868 (GBP) |
Funding ID | URF\R\201025 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2020 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | International Particle Physics Masterclass |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | In March 2019, I helped organise an International Particle Physics masterclass in the IPPP at Durham University, where over 100 students analysed real data from the ATLAS detector in the LHC. This inspired many students to ask questions and have discussions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | New Scientist - Instant Expert - "Relativity and Beyond" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Participated in a New Scientist event. Gave two talks and part of Panel discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | School Outreach Program |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I participated in a school outreach program called the Ordered Universe project in which 20 high school students visited the IPPP at Durham University and learned about exciting topics in particle physics like particle colliders and dark matter though a brief lecture and hands-on experiments. This inspired many students to ask questions and have discussions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |