RUI: Aspects Of Non-Local Dynamics In String Theory

从凝聚态物理到粒子物理再到量子引力，非局域动力学是物理学中一个新兴的领域。这个项目探索了在宇宙学特别感兴趣的一类弦理论模型的背景下实现的非局部动力学的影响。这些模型的弦理论嵌入确保了所遇到的奇异框架在物理和逻辑上都是自洽的。然而，这样的非本地系统仍然鲜为人知，有许多违反直觉的特征和明显的悖论。这个项目旨在揭示在这类弦理论模型中出现的非局部动力学的一般特征，并将这些结果应用于模拟宇宙的原始等离子体。该项目还将本科教育作为不可或缺的一部分。这是通过双管齐下的方法实现的：(1)通过本科生直接参与已被证明在让本科生参与弦理论研究方面非常成功的计划内的研究；(2)通过开发高水平的本科课程和教科书，帮助学生为理论物理的竞争性研究生课程做准备。该项目还包括一个多管齐下的社区推广部分，其中包括一个基于网络的教学资源，以及一个关于理论物理前沿当前主题的公开系列讲座。

Non-local dynamics is an emerging interest in physics across many disciplines, from condensed matter physics to particle physics to quantum gravity. This project explores the effects of non-local dynamics as realized in the context of a certain class of string theory models of particular interest to cosmology. The string theory embedding of these models assures that the exotic frameworks encountered are physically and logically self-consistent. Yet, such non-local systems remain poorly understood, with many counter-intuitive features and apparent paradoxes. This project aims to unravel general features of non-local dynamics as they arise in this class of string theory models, and apply these results to modeling the primordial plasma of the universe. The project also involves undergraduate education as an integral part. This is achieved through a two-pronged approach: (1) through the direct participation of undergraduate students in the research within a program that has already proven to be highly successful in involving undergraduate seniors in string theory research; and (2) through the development of a senior-level undergraduate course and textbook to help prepare students for competitive graduate programs in theoretical physics. The project also includes a multi-pronged community outreach component involving a web-based instructional resource, and a public lecture series on current topics at the frontier of theoretical physics.