Project description
New insight into particle interactions without simplifying symmetries
Quantum field theory (QFT) is essential for understanding the universe, but a proper mathematical structure is still lacking, especially for strongly interacting particle systems. One major challenge is understanding scattering amplitudes, which describe how particles collide and interact, as there is no clear framework to study them. While conformal field theories have advanced using specific tools like the operator product expansion, these methods rely on conformal symmetry – a rare property that applies in specific cases. The ERC-funded QFTinAdS project will explore two promising approaches: studying QFTs in a curved space called Anti de-Sitter space, and using a numerical method called the S-matrix bootstrap that predicts and constrains particle interactions. Combining these methods could reveal new insight into the behaviour of strongly interacting particles.
Objective
The importance of quantum field theory (QFT) in modern theoretical physics is hard to overstate. Nevertheless a proper mathematical framework to describe field theories is still lacking. This is felt most concretely in the world of scattering amplitudes, whose general properties are difficult to define from existing axioms. This hampers our ability to make progress in understanding strongly coupled field theories.
In contrast, for conformal field theories (CFTs) there has been remarkable progress in recent years. The key ingredient here is the operator product expansion, which both significantly constrains correlation functions and whose associativity conditions can be analyzed numerically. These techniques are however only suitable for theories with a conformal symmetry, which normally only emerges at the endpoints of finely tuned RG flows.
To advance the non-perturbative understanding of strongly coupled non-conformal QFTs new methods are needed. Among other things it is imperative to grasp the non-perturbative structure of scattering amplitudes. I propose to follow two interlinked paths based on recent results. The first approach concerns the flat-space limit of a QFT in a fixed hyperbolic background known as Anti de-Sitter (AdS) space. The second approach can be called the numerical S-matrix bootstrap. Both approaches hold great promise, but by pursuing them jointly I will be able to optimally leverage insights from one approach into the other.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG
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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.
91128 PALAISEAU CEDEX
France
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