Problems in Theoretical Physics

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This is a group proposal for the continued support of research in theoretical physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A broad research program is proposed, including studies of string theory, gauge/string duality, cosmic superstrings, quantum black holes, particle astrophysics, quantum chaos theory, lattice gauge theory, and the application of quantum field theory to phenomena in particle physics and quantitative biology. Research in string theory will focus on time-dependent string field theory, analytic approaches to quantum chromodynamics (QCD), gauge/gravity dualities, string vacua, and supersymmetry breaking. In particle astrophysics, non-Markovian quantum corrections to the Boltzmann equation will be assessed for their impact on various astrophysical phenomena, such as fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background radiation, production of elements in Big Bang nucleosynthesis, and neutrino transport in the sun and in supernovae. Research in quantum chaos theory will focus on the classical Ruelle resonances and their role in quantum phenomena, with applications to quantum black holes. Work in particle physics phenomenology will include studies of the neutrino mixing matrix. Work in quantitative biology will focus on the application of quantum field theory to the physics of RNA folding. Research in lattice gauge theory will be directed at the study of the masses of strongly interacting particles, the properties of light pseudoscalar mesons, the decays of particles with heavy quarks, and the behavior of strongly interacting matter at high temperatures