RUI: Theoretical Investigations of Lorentz Symmetry

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。这项提议的目的是进行洛伦兹对称性的理论研究，并寻找可以在高精度实验中进行的新的和改进的洛伦兹破坏测试。洛伦兹对称性是狭义相对论和广义相对论的重要组成部分，也是粒子物理标准模型的基础。它还与物质-反物质对称性联系在一起，这种对称性被称为CPT，它预测粒子和反粒子具有相同的质量、电荷量和磁矩。在普朗克尺度下的许多物理学研究(例如在弦理论的背景下)表明洛伦兹对称性可能并不完全成立。一种可能性是洛伦兹对称性可能自发地被破坏。由于洛伦兹对称性可以在原子和粒子系统的一些低能实验中以极高的精度进行测试，这些实验可以为普朗克标度产生的新物理学提供一个试验场。这个提议的目的是寻找洛伦兹对称性破缺的新信号，同时也研究自发洛伦兹破缺的理论意义。这个项目将产生许多更广泛的影响。作为瑞安的一项提议，它将加强科尔比学院物理系的研究环境，并将有助于整个学院正在进行的将研究与教育相结合的倡议。本科生将接受在理论物理方面进行研究的培训。学生们将有机会在学年期间从事这一项目，一些学生将在暑期受聘为研究助理。将继续强调鼓励代表人数不足的群体的学生参与这项研究。学生将能够在研究会议上展示他们的工作成果。从事这个项目的本科生将更有可能继续攻读物理科学和工程学的研究生课程。该项目将加强科尔比学院和印第安纳大学物理系之间的机构联系。皮？S成果的传播将包括面向公众的科学渠道、文章和演示，以及与地方和国家媒体的持续互动。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The aim of this proposal is to conduct theoretical investigations of Lorentz symmetry and to search for new and improved tests of Lorentz violation that can be conducted in high-precision experiments. Lorentz symmetry is a key component of both special and general relativity theory and is an underlying foundation in the Standard Model of particle physics. It is also tied to the matter-antimatter symmetry known as CPT, which predicts that particles and antiparticles have equal masses, charge magnitudes, and magnetic moments. Many investigations of physics at the Planck scale (such as in the context of string theory) suggest that Lorentz symmetry might not hold exactly.One possibility is that Lorentz symmetry might be spontaneously broken. Since Lorentz symmetry can be tested with exceptional precision in a number of low-energy experiments in atomic and particle systems, these experiments can provide a testing ground for new physics arising from the Planck scale. The goal of this proposal is to search for new signals of Lorentz Symmetry breaking while also investigating the theoretical implications of spontaneous Lorentz breaking. There are a number of broader impacts that this project will have. As an RUI proposal it will strengthen the research environment in the physics department at Colby College and will aid in an on-going college-wide initiative to integrate research and education.Undergraduates will be trained in doing research in theoretical physics. Students will have the opportunity to work on this project during the academic year, and some will be hired as research assistants during the summer. A continued emphasis will be placed on encouraging students who are members of underrepresented groups to participate in this research. Students will be able to present the results of their work at research conferences. Undergraduates working on this project will be more likely to go on to graduate programs in the physical sciences and engineering. This project will strengthen institutional ties between the physics departments at Colby College and Indiana University. Dissemination of the PI?s results will include scientific channels, articles and presentations for the general public, and continued interaction with local and national media.