Laboratory Physics: From Quantum to Cosmos

Ulf Israelsson, JPL

Fundamental Physics Research in Space Workshop

Airlie, May 22, 2006

Context: Physics in the 21st Century I

• Physics is standing at the threshold of major discovery– Our two foundational descriptions of nature, quantum

mechanics and general relativity, are incompatible with each other.

– When this conflict is resolved, a different view of reality may emerge that unifies matter, space, and time.

• Cosmological observations are providing additional clues that our understanding of reality is in need of drastic modification.– About 80% of the Universe matter content is unknown.– The expansion of the Universe is accelerating due to an

unknown energy field (dark energy)

Context: Physics in the 21st Century II

•The importance of using a coordinated, multi-agency effort to seek an understanding of these outstanding physics questions has been recognized by the NRC and the OSTP/ NSTC

•NASA can play a key role through allowing access to the space environment for many of these experiments

– NASA’s emphasis on human exploration not withstanding

•NASA’s beyond Einstein program has laid out a bold vision for observational physics in space.

Context: Physics in the 21st Century III

• How can laboratory physics in space contribute to achieve these discoveries?

– Confluence of high-resolution technology and space access provides a unique opportunity to address these questions.

• Above Earth’s atmosphere

• Quiescent environment

• Free-fall environment

• Different space-time coordinates

Solving the mystery of gravity

• Survey and explore the conditions near black holes.

• Observational physics only

• Directly detect gravitational radiation from black holes, neutron stars, and other astrophysical sources.

•Observational physics only

• Test the inverse square law of gravity at distances from submillimeter to planetary to search for violations

•Laboratory physics only

• Test Einstein’s equivalence principle to exquisite precision to uncover new forces

•Laboratory physics only

• Measure ppn parameters in the solar system

• Laboratory physics only

What lies beyond the Standard Model of Physics?

• Determine the origin and identity of nature’s most energetic particles.

• Observational physics only

• Detect proton decay to provide crucial information about the unification of forces. - Laboratory physics in space may contribute through:

• Determining the edm of the electron

• Is special relativity valid under all conditions? - Laboratory physics in space can contribute through:

• Local Position Invariance tests

• Are nature’s constants really constant? - Laboratory physics in space can contribute through

• High resolution measurements of alpha-dot

• Isotropy of the speed of light

• Are there compacted unseen dimensions? – Laboratory physics in space can contribute through:

• Sub-mm inverse square law measurements

ACCESS

SUMO

What is the dark matter?

• Map the distribution of dark matter in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and throughout the universe.

• Observational physics only

• Identify dark matter particles and measure their properties - Laboratory physics can contribute through:

• Discovery of Newton’s force law violations• Discovery of Equivalence Principle violations

• Search for other relics of the Big Bang - Laboratory physics can contribute through:

• Existence proof search for sterile neutrinos

Q2C Meeting Forward Looking Objectives

• To document the extent to which Laboratory Physics in Space can contribute to answering the Physics of the Universe questions– Synergism between NSF, DOE, NIST, and NASA– Collaborations between ESMD and SMD?

• To discuss with the assembled scientific community what can be done to establish a future program in this area,– Synergism between NSF, DOE, NIST, and NASA– Importance of International Collaborations

Fundamental Physics Program has had a difficult time in finding traction at NASA

• “It is all about Budget and Priorities”

What steps can we take from here on out? I

• Clearly determine how laboratory physics in space can contribute – Workshop and proceedings

• Unify the physics community– Observational and Laboratory physics stand together with one voice

• Implies that we set our own priorities– Build linkages across communities– Strengthen partnership with international community

• Identify key physicists that can represent us to stake holders

• Seek (further) physics representation on NAC, AAAC, BPA, etc.

What steps can we take from here on out? II

• Strive to add “placeholder statements” to current NASA Roadmap and Science Plan effort

• Seek representation on the next Astrophysics decadal survey

• Convince NASA SMD to make this an annual workshop

• Utilize synergy with international partners programs?

• Strive to develop a Fundamental Physics Division

• Continue individual advocacy

• What else??

What recommendations might we make to NASA?

• Advisory board representation (free)

• Commissioning of NRC study of relative priorities for research in Astrophysics, Observational Physics, and Laboratory Physics

• NASA contributions to Cosmic Visions program

• Our own NASA Research Announcement

• Our own technology development program

• Future missions “fairly” competed

Physics and Society: Education

Physics contributes to the continuing expansion of human consciousness by

• Inspiring young minds to excel

• Educating tomorrow’s innovators

• Teaching international peace through the pursuit of knowledge

• Sharing the wonders of discovery with the public to lift the human spirit

Physics and Society: Technology

Physics builds the foundation for tomorrow’s breakthrough technologies

•To achieve new results, physicist traditionally push on the boundaries of available technology

•To take full advantage of space experiments often requires orders of magnitude leaps in technology

•These technologies can be applied for industrial applications

• Increased understanding of scientific principles often lead to completely new technologies and applications

Conclusions

• Laboratory Physics is in a position to contribute greatly to today’s outstanding physics questions

• We must find a way to contribute

• This workshop is the first step

“There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature.” — Stephen Hawking