Project description
Exploring the hidden mathematical structure of particle interactions
The Standard Model of particle physics is one of the greatest scientific achievements. Since the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, its predictions have been tested with extraordinary precision. As data grow exponentially, theoretical calculations must advance in parallel. With this in mind, the ERC-funded AmpBoot project focuses on scattering amplitudes. This is key to understanding how particles interact. By probing their deep connections with number theory, geometry and string theory, the project seeks new mathematical frameworks to tackle problems long considered intractable. Its ultimate aim is to develop advanced tools and bootstrap methods that will refine theoretical predictions and push the boundaries of precision in particle physics.
Objective
The Standard Model of particle physics represents one of the major achievements of modern science, and with the discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider its predictions have been tested to unprecedented levels of precision. These measurements will continue to improve as more data is collected in the coming years, allowing us to probe the fundamental laws of physics to an unparalleled degree. However, to benefit from these measurements, the precision with which we can make theoretical predictions in quantum field theory must also be drastically improved. This in particular requires improving our understanding of scattering amplitudes, which provide essential input for these calculations.
While scattering amplitudes are notoriously difficult to compute, they have been found to exhibit an immensely rich mathematical structure, with deep ties to number theory, algebraic geometry, and string theory. These connections have recently fueled a revolution in our ability to compute highly nontrivial amplitudes in supersymmetric theories to unprecedented levels of precision. Building on this progress, I propose three lines of investigation for developing the same level of insight into the mathematical structure of Standard Model amplitudes, and for bypassing the difficult integration problems that have traditionally been required for their evaluation:
1) the derivation of new constraints on the analytic structure of amplitudes from basic physical requirements such as causality and locality
2) an in-depth study of the types of special functions that appear in amplitudes and the development of new tools for working with them
3) the development of perturbative bootstrap methods for Standard Model amplitudes
These lines of research will give rise to deep new insights into the universal properties of perturbative quantum field theory, and facilitate the development of groundbreaking new methods for making precision predictions for collider experiments.
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.
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.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics particle accelerator
- social sciences political sciences political transitions revolutions
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- social sciences law
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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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
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.
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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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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.
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
United Kingdom
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