Nonabelian Structures in String Theory

爱因斯坦的广义相对论描述了大型物体之间的引力，比如地球和太阳之间的引力，它将地球保持在围绕太阳的轨道上，或者是自大爆炸以来决定宇宙膨胀速度的力。广义相对论是一个精确的理论，它的预言已经被观测彻底检验了。 另一方面，量子力学是关于原子及其组成成分的小的理论。从超导性到化学反应的速度，从电子的行为到最近发现的希格斯粒子，它控制着一切。量子理论对实验结果的预测达到了前所未有的准确性。 广义相对论和量子力学是我们描述宇宙的两种范式，但如何将它们结合成一个统一的框架并不为人所知。然而，研究一些最令人着迷的现象需要物理学家同时使用这两种方法(黑洞就是一个例子)。 弦理论目前是我们将这两种理论结合在一起的框架的最佳候选者。它对我们认为在我们的宇宙中可能发生的事情有一些深远的影响，例如额外维度的存在。弦理论的最新进展包含了许多暗示，即空间和时间不是基本的。我的工作重点是时空的起源，从近距离观察它的性质，以及可能比时空本身更基本的底层对象。

Einstein's theory of General Relativity describes gravitational forces between large objects, such as the attraction between the Earth and the Sun that holds the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, or the forces that have determined the rate of expansion of the Universe since the Big Bang. General Relativity is an accurate theory and its predictions have been thoroughly tested by observations. Quantum Mechanics, on the other hand, is the theory of the small: the atom, as well as the atom's constituents. It governs everything from superconductivity to the speed of chemical reactions, from the behaviour of electrons to that of the recently discovered Higgs particle. Quantum theory predicts experimental results to an unprecedented accuracy. General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are the two paradigms through which we describe our Universe, but it is not understood how to combine them into a unified framework. Yet, the study of some of the most fascinating phenomena requires physicists to use both at once (Black Holes are an example of this). String Theory is currently our best candidate for a framework in which these two theories can be brought together. It has some profound consequences for what we think might be possible in our Universe, such as existence of extra dimensions. Recent advances in String Theory contain many hints that space and time are not fundamental. My work focuses on the origin of space-time, on its nature when viewed from up close, and on the underlying objects which might be more fundamental than space-time itself.