Particle and Quantum Field Theory Investigations

This award funds the research activities of Professors Sergei Dubovsky and Massimo Porrati at New York University. The research to be conducted under this award addresses fundamental questions about the basic forces binding elementary particles and governing the evolution of the universe. The PIs will uncover novel mathematical descriptions of elementary particle interactions and construct novel robust definitions of quantities measured at particle colliders and gravitational wave detectors. Their research advances the national interest by uncovering new methods for mastering elementary interactions and for defining what can be observed in the current theories describing elementary particles and the universe at large, specifically relativistic quantum field theory and general relativity. These improvements can then provide new tools for Quantum Information Theory. In their work, the PIs will extensively train Artificial Intelligence agents, postdocs, externally sponsored postdocs, visitors, and graduate students, and will disseminate results to a wide audience reaching beyond physics specialists. More technically, Dubovsky will develop new methods for analyzing lattice field theory data and will investigate certain finite-group gauge theories --- which are of possible relevance for Quantum Information --- in a particular limit (the 't Hoof limit). Dubovsky will also study a toy model of eternal inflation, in a theory called J-T gravity, that can elucidate many of the mysteries of quantum gravity. Porrati will investigate new methods for defining quantities that can distinguish between signal and noise in gravitational waves. He will also extend his recent method for constructing physical observables in gauge theories and gravity which may be essential for properly defining the local qbits of a gravitational system. Porrati will also investigate new cosmological scenarios for the origin of matter-antimatter asymmetry. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.