Theoretical Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology

理论基本粒子物理学、天体物理学和宇宙学的研究将包括对“超对称性”（将物质的组成与基本力联系起来）所预测的可能的新粒子、最高能量宇宙射线的起源、构成宇宙大部分质量的暗物质的性质以及有关自然界四种基本力的感兴趣的问题的研究。最近人们的注意力集中在几种隐藏超对称性的方法上，因为它预言的新粒子虽然轻到足以在现有的加速器中产生，但具有非常微妙的特征。 因此，找到推断它们存在的方法是极其重要的。 最高能量宇宙射线的性质表明，它们实际上可能是新粒子，对它们的理解可以揭示超对称性和类星体。 类星体是在早期宇宙中特别多的物体，被认为是巨大的黑洞吸积周围的星系。将要进行的研究对进一步了解宇宙和基本力都很重要。

Research in theoretical elementary particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology will include studies of possible new particles predicted by `supersymmetry` (which relates the constituents of matter to the basic forces), the origins of the highest energy cosmic rays, the nature of the Dark Matter which makes up most of the mass of the Universe, and problems of interest concerning the four basic forces of nature. Attention has focussed recently on several ways in which supersymmetry may be hidden from discovery because the new particles related which it predicts, although light enough to be produced in existing accelerators, have very subtle signatures. Thus it is extremely important to find ways to infer their existence. The properties of the highest energy cosmic rays suggest they may in fact be new particles, whose understanding could shed light on supersymmetry as well as quasars. Quasars are objects which were especially populous in the early universe and are thought to be enormous black holes accreting the surrounding galaxy. The studies to be undertaken are important to furthering our understanding of both the cosmos and the basic forces.