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Strategic Predictions for Quantum Field Theories

Project description

Research bridges macroscopic and microscopic realms to decode space and time

The ERC-funded preQFT project will explore the complex relationship between the macroscopic universe and the underlying microphysics, with a particular focus on how classical notions of space and time emerge and evolve. To address this question, researchers will seek to understand the quantum predictions of Yang-Mills and gravity theories and identify their non-perturbative ultraviolet completion (which describes how a theory behaves at very high energies, where quantum effects become significant). By pushing calculations to their limits, researchers could uncover previously unappreciated structures (hidden mathematical relationships) that can rewrite our understanding of perturbative quantum field theory. The ultimate goal is to make fundamental principles manifest in calculations, paving the way for deeper comprehension of the cosmos.

Objective

Ambitious Questions:

* How does the relatively calm macroscopic universe survive and emerge from the violent quantum fluctuations of its underlying microphysics?
* How do classical notions of space and time emerge from fundamental principles, and what governs their evolution?

These questions are difficult to answer---perhaps impossible given current ideas and frameworks---but I believe a strategic path forward is to thoroughly understand the quantum predictions of our Yang-Mills and Gravity theories, and unambiguously identify their non-perturbative UV completions. The first step forward, and the goal of this project, is to move towards the trivialization of perturbative calculations.

Consider the notion of failure-point calculations -- calculations that push modern methods and world-class technologies to their breaking-point. Such calculations, for their very success, engender the chance of cultivating and exploiting previously unappreciated structure. In doing so, such calculations advance the state of the art forward to some degree, dependent on the class of the problems and nature of the solution. With scattering amplitude calculations, we battle against (naive) combinatorial complexity as we go either higher in order of quantum correction ( loop order ), or higher in number of external particles scattering (multiplicity), so our advances must be revolutionary to lift us forward. Yet I and others have shown that the very complications of generalized gauge freedom promise a potential salvation at least as powerful as the complications that confront us. The potential reward is enormous, a rewriting of perturbative quantum field theory to make these principles manifest and calculation natural, an ambitious but now realistic goal. The path forward is optimized through strategic calculations.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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ERC-STG - Starting Grant

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2014-STG

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Host institution

COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 299 958,26
Address
RUE LEBLANC 25
75015 Paris
France

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 299 958,26

Beneficiaries (1)

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