Diffeomorphisms, K-Strings, and Cosmology

将进行引力物理学和基本粒子物理学的理论研究。研究将包括进一步发展与引力物理学的大对称性相关的场论，探索弦理论与核物质的关系，并将弦对称性发展的理论应用于早期宇宙和宇宙学。这些研究可为引力、宇宙学和核物理研究中的一些紧迫问题提供信息和思路。到目前为止，对于引力与基本粒子的所有相互作用或大尺度下的引力，还没有令人满意的解释。进一步研究弦理论与核物理的关系，将有助于为更好地预测核物理提供数学框架。在严格的数学和计算水平上理解这些基本相互作用对于进一步理解自然界基本力的性质是重要的。该项目有各种各样的问题，可以解决，其中包括先进的本科生和研究生。这为年轻的物理学学生提供了机会，让他们尽早接触到核物理，弦理论和与引力有关的问题。PI也是爱荷华州大学物理和天文学系“鹰眼科学”外展计划的教师协调员，是“科学咖啡馆”爱荷华州城市分会的组织者和创建者，以及爱荷华州城市社区学区的志愿者导师。

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.