Diffeomorphisms, K-Strings, and Cosmology

开展引力物理和基本粒子物理的理论研究。研究将包括进一步发展与引力物理大对称性相关的场理论，探索弦理论与核物质的关系，以及将弦对称性发展起来的理论应用于早期宇宙和宇宙学。这些研究可能为重力、宇宙学和核物理学研究中一些紧迫的问题提供信息和思路。迄今为止，对于引力与基本粒子或大尺度引力的所有相互作用，还没有令人满意的解释。此外，弦理论与核物理关系的进一步研究将有助于为更好的核物理预测提供一个数学框架。在严格的数学和计算水平上理解这些基本的相互作用对于进一步理解自然界基本力量的本质是很重要的。该项目有各种各样的问题可以解决，包括高级本科生和研究生。这为年轻的物理学生提供了早期接触核物理、弦理论和引力相关问题的机会。PI还是爱荷华大学物理与天文系“鹰眼科学”外展项目的教师协调员，是爱荷华市“科学咖啡馆”分会的组织者和创始人，也是爱荷华市社区学区的志愿导师。

Theoretical studies in gravitational physics and elementary particle physics will be conducted. Studies will include further developing field theories associated with large symmetries for gravitational physics, exploring the relationships of string theories to nuclear matter and applying theories developed from string symmetries to the early universe and cosmology. These studies may provide information and ideas concerning some of the issues that are pressing in the research in gravity, cosmology and nuclear physics. To date there is no satisfactory explanation available for all the interactions of gravity with elementary particles or for gravity at large scales. Also further studies of the relationship of string theory to nuclear physics will help provide a mathematical framework for better predictions in nuclear physics. Understanding these fundamental interactions at a rigorous mathematical and computational level are important for further understanding of the nature of the fundamental forces of nature. The project has a wide variety of problems that can be solved which include advanced undergraduates and graduate students. This affords opportunities for younger students in physics to get early exposure to issues in nuclear physics, string theory and problems related to gravitation. The PI is also the faculty coordinator of the "Hawkeyes On Science" outreach program for the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa, is the organizer and creator of the Iowa City chapter of "Cafe Scientifique", and a volunteer tutor for the Iowa City Community School District.