Dear All,
You are most cordially invited to the ICTP Theoretical
Physics Colloquium by Prof. Edward Witten on "What Every
Physicist Should Know About String Theory".
The Colloquium will take place (in presence) TODAY,
Wednesday 7 June, at 14:00 hrs in the Budinich Lecture
Hall.
Biosketch:
Edward Witten is Professor Emeritus in the School of Natural
Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He
is a researcher in string theory, quantum gravity,
supersymmetric quantum field theories, and other areas of
mathematical physics. Witten's work has also significantly
impacted pure mathematics. In 1990, he became the first
physicist to be awarded a Fields Medal by the International
Mathematical Union, for his mathematical insights in physics,
such as his 1981 proof of the positive energy theorem in
general relativity, and his interpretation of the Jones
invariants of knots as Feynman integrals. He is considered the
practical founder of M-theory. Edward Witten’s work exhibits a
unique combination of mathematical power and physics insight,
and his contributions have significantly enriched both fields.
He was awarded the ICTP Dirac Medal in 1985 for stimulating
contributions to quantum field theory, particularly with
regard to the implications of new kinds of anomalies. He has
greatly contributed to the modern interest in superstrings as
a candidate theory for the unification of all known physical
interactions. Most recently, he has explored quantum duality
symmetries of field theories and string theories, opening
significant new perspectives on particle physics, string
theory, and topology.
Abstract
: Prof. Witten will explain in nontechnical language how
string theory generalizes quantum field theory while
eliminating the ultraviolet divergences and the ability to
adjust coupling constants in an arbitrary fashion.
Light
refreshments will be served on the Leonardo Building Terrace
at the end of the talk.
Looking
forward to your participation.
With best regards,
Zina Makkawi
Director's Office, ICTP