Research in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics

量子场论是研究基本粒子相互作用的主要框架。麻省理工学院的Daniel Freedman教授建议利用新技术来计算这些粒子之间的散射振幅——这些技术已经取代了通过费曼图的传统方法。他计划把重点放在超振幅的性质上，它将许多不同的粒子过程的信息紧凑地封装在一个单一的表达式中。最初的目标是利用超振幅来探索N=8超引力理论的性质，这个目标已经取得了成功。这些性质与N=8超引力是第一个在量子水平上一致的引力场论的猜想有关。还设想了该技术的许多其他应用和扩展。这项工作有几个更广泛的影响。在科学层面上，我们评估壳上振幅的能力的任何提高都是非常有价值的，因为这些振幅已被应用于多种学科，如计算欧洲核子研究中心大型强子对撞机的背景QCD事件，以及寻找量子引力的紫外有限场论。此外，这一主题是高级教育和培训年轻研究人员的极好领域。事实上，弗里德曼最近的导师包括亨利埃特·埃尔万，她最近开始在密歇根大学担任助理教授，并获得了美国国家科学基金会的职业奖。

Quantum field theory is the major framework for the study of the interactions of elementary particles. Professor Daniel Freedman from MIT proposes to utilize new techniques for the computation of scattering amplitudes between these particles --- techniques which have supplanted the traditional approach via Feynman diagrams. He plans to focus on the properties of superamplitudes, which compactly package information concerning many different particle processes in a single expression. The initial goal, which has already met with success, is to use superamplitudes to explore properties of the N=8 supergravity theory. These properties are relevant to the conjecture that N=8 supergravity is the first consistent field theory of gravity at the quantum level. Numerous other applications of and extensions to this technology are envisioned.There are several broader impacts associated with this work. At a scientific level, any increase in our ability to evaluate on-shell amplitudes is extremely valuable, for such amplitudes have been applied to subjects as diverse as the computation of background QCD events for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the search for an ultraviolet-finite field theory of quantum gravity. Furthermore, this subject matter is an excellent area for the advanced education and training of young researchers. Indeed, Freedman's recent mentees include Henriette Elvang, who recently began an Assistant Professorship at the University of Michigan and is the recipient of an NSF CAREER Award.