Einstein and the big Einstein and the big questions – some answers?questions – some answers?

Morelia, MEXICO 2006Morelia, MEXICO 2006

R. Delbourgo, November R. Delbourgo, November

What big questions?What big questions? What is the fate of the universe?What is the fate of the universe? How did the universe begin?How did the universe begin? What is the universe made of?What is the universe made of? Where is the antimatter in the universe?Where is the antimatter in the universe? Why are there only 3 “generations” of Why are there only 3 “generations” of

particles?particles? Why are there no magnetic charges?Why are there no magnetic charges? Is there another basic unit besides h & c? GIs there another basic unit besides h & c? GNN?? Can one predict the 20 or so SM parameters?Can one predict the 20 or so SM parameters? Are relativity & CPT conservation correct?Are relativity & CPT conservation correct? Can one unify gravity with quantum theory?Can one unify gravity with quantum theory?

Current ideas on the universe’s fateCurrent ideas on the universe’s fate The universe is expanding at an ever increasing The universe is expanding at an ever increasing

rate (based on assumptions about supernovas)! rate (based on assumptions about supernovas)! So is there a cosmological constant?So is there a cosmological constant?

Einstein and the early universeEinstein and the early universe

There was NOTHING before the big bang, There was NOTHING before the big bang,

no space, no time, zilch, i.e. no space, no time, zilch, i.e. it had zero it had zero dimensionsdimensions..

Einstein on the early universe: “Einstein on the early universe: “One may One may not assume the validity of the equations not assume the validity of the equations for very high density of field and matter, for very high density of field and matter, and one may not conclude that the and one may not conclude that the beginning of expansion must mean a beginning of expansion must mean a singularity in the mathematical sensesingularity in the mathematical sense””

What is the universe made of?What is the universe made of? 75% vacuum energy75% vacuum energy 20% dark matter (non-baryonic = machos, wimps, 20% dark matter (non-baryonic = machos, wimps,

neutrinos, axions,..)neutrinos, axions,..) 5% mostly visible matter (baryonic = known particles, 5% mostly visible matter (baryonic = known particles,

atoms) etc.atoms) etc.

Fate of the universeFate of the universe Supernova data => accelerating expansion Supernova data => accelerating expansion

corresponds to a -ve pressure or an Einstein corresponds to a -ve pressure or an Einstein “cosmological constant” of “cosmological constant” of ΛΛ = 10 = 10-52-52 m m-2-2. .

Compare with known scales:Compare with known scales: Nuclear size ~ 10Nuclear size ~ 10-15-15 m m Human size ~ 1 mHuman size ~ 1 m Milky Way galaxy ~ 10Milky Way galaxy ~ 102222 m m Size of visible universe ~ 10Size of visible universe ~ 102626 m m Einstein on the size of the universe: “Einstein on the size of the universe: “Only Only

two things are infinite: the universe and two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I’m not sure about the human stupidity. And I’m not sure about the formerformer.” .”

The scale of thingsThe scale of things

Einstein and ResearchEinstein and Research

Einstein on research: “Einstein on research: “If we knew what we If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, were doing, it would not be called research, would itwould it?”?”

Einstein and RelativityEinstein and Relativity Overturned our notions of space and especially Overturned our notions of space and especially

time, through the time, through the specialspecial theory of relativity. theory of relativity.

Einstein on the 4-dimensional Minkowskian Einstein on the 4-dimensional Minkowskian description: “description: “Since the mathematicians have Since the mathematicians have invaded the theory of relativity, I do not invaded the theory of relativity, I do not understand it myself any moreunderstand it myself any more.”.”

Connected curvature of Connected curvature of space-time with the presence space-time with the presence of matter-energy through his of matter-energy through his generalgeneral theory of relativity, theory of relativity, e.g. the bending of light.e.g. the bending of light.

Einstein on the happiest Einstein on the happiest thought of his life, namely thought of his life, namely discovering the equivalence discovering the equivalence principle: “principle: “I was sitting in a I was sitting in a chair in the patent office when chair in the patent office when all of a sudden a thought all of a sudden a thought occurred to me: If a person occurred to me: If a person falls freely he will not feel his falls freely he will not feel his own weight. I was startled and own weight. I was startled and this simple thought made a this simple thought made a deep impression on me. It deep impression on me. It impelled me towards a theory impelled me towards a theory of gravitationof gravitation.”.”

Einstein and astronomyEinstein and astronomy

Started off the science of cosmology, Started off the science of cosmology, introducing the cosmological constant (his introducing the cosmological constant (his “biggest blunder”).“biggest blunder”).

Einstein to Weyl: “Einstein to Weyl: “If there is no quasistatic If there is no quasistatic world, then away with the cosmological term.world, then away with the cosmological term.””

“ “Anyone who has never made a mistake has Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything newnever tried anything new.” .”

Predicted gravitational lensing, seen for Predicted gravitational lensing, seen for some galaxies and now used (as some galaxies and now used (as “microlensing”) to detect stellar planets.“microlensing”) to detect stellar planets.

Predicted the existence of gravitational Predicted the existence of gravitational radiation from changing non-spherical radiation from changing non-spherical systems (Einstein’s quadrupole formula).systems (Einstein’s quadrupole formula).

Detected indirectly from orbiting pulsars and Detected indirectly from orbiting pulsars and most recently the double-pulsar J0737-3039.most recently the double-pulsar J0737-3039.

Einstein, Antimatter & the Big BangEinstein, Antimatter & the Big Bang

Einstein on the Big Bang Theory: “Einstein on the Big Bang Theory: “For For every billion particles of antimatter every billion particles of antimatter there were one billion and one particles there were one billion and one particles of matter. And when the annihilation of matter. And when the annihilation was complete one billionth remained – was complete one billionth remained – and that’s our present universeand that’s our present universe.”.”

The difference is ascribed to CP The difference is ascribed to CP violation as seen in elementary particle violation as seen in elementary particle physics.physics.

Einstein and quantum mechanicsEinstein and quantum mechanics Postulated the existence of the photon Postulated the existence of the photon

(his most revolutionary idea -> (his most revolutionary idea -> Nobel Nobel prizeprize))

Described the heat capacity of bodies at Described the heat capacity of bodies at low temperatures using quantum theorylow temperatures using quantum theory

Developed the statistics of integer spin Developed the statistics of integer spin systems and predicted the existence of systems and predicted the existence of a “Bose-Einstein” condensate (recently a “Bose-Einstein” condensate (recently discovered at 10 discovered at 10 μμK)K)

Predicted stimulated light emission from Predicted stimulated light emission from metastable states (leading to lasers)metastable states (leading to lasers)

Einstein and Unified Field TheoryEinstein and Unified Field Theory Einstein on Maxwell: “Einstein on Maxwell: “Imagine his feelings Imagine his feelings

when the differential equations he had when the differential equations he had formulated proved to him that formulated proved to him that electromagnetic fields spread in the form of electromagnetic fields spread in the form of polarized waves and with the speed of light!polarized waves and with the speed of light!””

Tried to unify electromagnetism and gravity Tried to unify electromagnetism and gravity (oblivious of other forces)(oblivious of other forces)

Based much on his work on the 5-dimensional Based much on his work on the 5-dimensional extension of space-time by Kaluza & Kleinextension of space-time by Kaluza & Klein

Higher Dimensional SchemesHigher Dimensional Schemes

Quantum Field theoryQuantum Field theory To every system (or To every system (or

particle) is associated a particle) is associated a quantized field.quantized field.

Particles are subdivided Particles are subdivided into source-fields into source-fields (usually spin ½) and (usually spin ½) and force-fields (usually spin force-fields (usually spin 1).1).

Fundamental sources Fundamental sources are “quarks” and are “quarks” and “leptons’.“leptons’.

Force fields include Force fields include photons, weak bosons, photons, weak bosons, gluons and gravitons.gluons and gravitons.

Source (and some force) fields interact with Source (and some force) fields interact with one another by exchanging force fields.one another by exchanging force fields.

Particle Generations and the SMParticle Generations and the SM

3 (light) generations discovered so far: 3 (light) generations discovered so far: ( (ee, e, , e, uu, , dd, , uu, , dd, , uu, , dd))

((cc, , ss, , cc, , ss, , cc, , ss))

(( tt, , bb, , tt, , bb, , tt, , bb))

Interacting via force (gauge) fields:Interacting via force (gauge) fields:

g (graviton), g (graviton), (photon), W & Z (-bosons), (photon), W & Z (-bosons),

G (gluons in 8 mixed colours) butG (gluons in 8 mixed colours) but

masses widely different: Mmasses widely different: Mtt >350000 M >350000 Mee and Mand M <100000 M <100000 Me. e. How come?How come?

Magnetic monopoles - where?Magnetic monopoles - where?

Maxwell’s equations:Maxwell’s equations: Electric charge ~ spread of electric fieldElectric charge ~ spread of electric field Electric current ~ twist of magnetic field Electric current ~ twist of magnetic field

& & change of electric change of electric fieldfield

0 = spread of magnetic field 0 = spread of magnetic field 0 = twist of electric field & change of 0 = twist of electric field & change of

magnetic field magnetic fieldi.e. there are no free magnetici.e. there are no free magnetic

monopolesmonopoles!!Searches have never revealed themSearches have never revealed them..

The fundamental scale constantsThe fundamental scale constants Planck’s h sets the scale of actionPlanck’s h sets the scale of action Light-speed c sets the scale of velocity Light-speed c sets the scale of velocity

Is there another basic independent Is there another basic independent scale?scale?

Newton’s gravitational constant GNewton’s gravitational constant GNN??

Einstein’s cosmological constant Einstein’s cosmological constant ΛΛ ? ?

NB: There are many ill-understood scale NB: There are many ill-understood scale free constants of nature, e.g. free constants of nature, e.g.

fine structure constant fine structure constant αα ~ 1/137, ~ 1/137,

MMee/M/Mpp ~ 1/2000, etc. ~ 1/2000, etc.

Two sorts of numbers?Two sorts of numbers?

Bose (commuting)Bose (commuting) x y = +y xx y = +y x A(x)B(y) = A(x)B(y) =

+B(y)A(x)+B(y)A(x) Associate with Associate with

integer spin fieldsinteger spin fields Symmetric statesSymmetric states Obey BE statisticsObey BE statistics Increase dimensionIncrease dimension c-numbersc-numbers

Fermi (anticommuting)Fermi (anticommuting) ξξ ηη = - = - ηη ξξ ψψ(x)(x)χχ(y) = -(y) = -χχ(y)(y)ψψ(x)(x) Associate with ½ Associate with ½

integer spin fieldsinteger spin fields Antisymmetric Antisymmetric

statesstates Obey FD statisticsObey FD statistics Decrease dimensionDecrease dimension a-numbersa-numbers

Property coordinates?Property coordinates? Introduce 5 (complex) Introduce 5 (complex) a-coordinatesa-coordinates ξξ00 to to

ξξ44 represent represent property property and attach to the and attach to the four real four real c-coordinatesc-coordinates x x00 to x to x33 for for space-space-timetime: :

X = (xX = (xmm, , ξξμμ)) which can potentially reduce the total which can potentially reduce the total

effective dimensions of the universe to 0.effective dimensions of the universe to 0.

Property tells us what things (quantum Property tells us what things (quantum nos.) are involved in an interaction, so any nos.) are involved in an interaction, so any event is characterized by event is characterized by

WHERE, WHENWHERE, WHEN andand WHAT WHAT

Composite propertiesComposite properties As the As the ξξ anticommute anticommute

there are only a there are only a finitefinite number of properties.number of properties.

Bose fields have even Bose fields have even ξξ powers, Fermi fields powers, Fermi fields have odd have odd ξξ powers. powers.

e.g. e ~ e.g. e ~ ξξ44 , , == ξξ00

uu ~ ~ ξξ00ξξ11ξξ22, , dd ~ ~ ξξ33ξξ22ξξ44..

Can accommodate 3 Can accommodate 3 particle generations particle generations (with 4 extra D and (with 4 extra D and

one extra l – one extra l – ll pair) pair)

Geometrizing gravityGeometrizing gravity

Einstein tied gravity to Einstein tied gravity to curvature of space-timecurvature of space-time

Curvature R ~ matter-energy Curvature R ~ matter-energy TT

Curvature associated with a Curvature associated with a space-time Riemann metricspace-time Riemann metric

squared distance dssquared distance ds22

dsds22 = dx = dxmm g gmnmn dx dxnn where g where gmnmn is the (10 component tensor) is the (10 component tensor) gravitational fieldgravitational field

R = R(g) & T = T(energy)R = R(g) & T = T(energy)

Geometrizing forcesGeometrizing forces Forces tied to extended Forces tied to extended

metric connecting space metric connecting space to property (e.g. charge to property (e.g. charge due an electron there).due an electron there).

dsds22 includes contribution includes contribution

dxdxmm g gmµmµ d dξξµ µ wherewhere

ggmµ mµ = = λλ2 2 AAm m ξξµ µ and A and Am m

are the gauge fields.are the gauge fields. Space-property Space-property

curvaturecurvature is the electroweak or is the electroweak or

chromomagnetic field.chromomagnetic field. λλ is a scaling constant. is a scaling constant.

Geometrizing propertyGeometrizing property The state of a system The state of a system

is a linear combination is a linear combination of properties.of properties.

Metric distance Metric distance includes term dincludes term dξξµµ ggµµddξξ where g where gµµ is the is the (scalar) Higgs field.(scalar) Higgs field.

Changes of property Changes of property depend on order of depend on order of operation in general.operation in general.

Property curvature ~ Property curvature ~ variation in strength variation in strength of the forces.of the forces.

cry

cry

rage

rage

The various curvaturesThe various curvatures RRspace-spacespace-space ~ gravity and matter ~ gravity and matter RRspace-propertyspace-property ~ charges and force ~ charges and force RRproperty-propertyproperty-property ~ sources and strengths ~ sources and strengths

The total curvature is the sum of all R-terms:The total curvature is the sum of all R-terms:

it describes gravitational interactions, forces it describes gravitational interactions, forces between material sources and includes a between material sources and includes a cosmological term (its value depends on the cosmological term (its value depends on the constant constant λλ tying tying propertyproperty to to lengthlength in the in the “metric distance”).“metric distance”).

Another theory that bites the dust?Another theory that bites the dust?

Some advice from EinsteinSome advice from Einstein

“ “Any intelligent fool can Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and make things bigger and more complex. It takes more complex. It takes … a lot of courage to … a lot of courage to move in the opposite move in the opposite directiondirection.”.”

“ “If A is success in life, If A is success in life, then A equals X plus Y then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X, Y is plus Z. Work is X, Y is play and Z is keeping play and Z is keeping your mouth shutyour mouth shut.”.”

In conclusionIn conclusion::

There is a There is a timetime (t) and a (t) and a placeplace ((xx) for every ) for every thing thing ((ξξ))